Influence of Kinesio Taping® in Paretic Tibialis Anterior Muscle at Joint Dynamics During Patient Gait and Balance After Stroke: A Pilot Study

The sample was selected from the list of patients waiting for care in Kinesiology Laboratory and Functional Assessment of the Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Pernambuco - UFPE where the operation was performed. In the period from May to July 2014. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research with Human beings of the Health Sciences Center of UFPE, CAAE 15238913.9.0000.5208. On admission, patients were informed about the research, met the free and informed consent. Randomization was taken by randomization.com site, and the allocation concealment was done with opaque and sealed envelopes.

Procedures for application of Kinesio Taping As for the protocol, the intervention group and the sham group underwent the same way care for skin preparation. Trichotomy, when necessary was held; the skin was cleaned with alcohol and dry with a paper towel.

They were used as a reference point between the proximal fibular head and the tibial tuberosity (point A) and the apex of the first metatarsal (Point B). The experimental group received the voltage for activating muscle and were positioned to receive the application of KT in accordance with the manual taping kinesio - Kenzo Kase method. And only one tape mark was used, which is recommended by the Kinesio Taping Association.

KT application in the intervention group The patient was placed on a stretcher in the supine position, his ankle was positioned in plantar flexion and inversion (maximum amplitude achieved passively by the patient), a measure was held between Point A and B with a tape measure, then immediately KT was removed from the paper and cut to the same extent. The KT was pulled to its maximum limit and measured with a tape for a second evaluator. This measure found after the maximum tensile strain represented 100% and a rule of three was applied in order to find the 35% voltage for muscle activation. The tension of KT was calculated to ensure an approximate voltage to all participants in the intervention group.

After finding the measure of 35% strain in centimeters, the evaluator cut KT this measurement and the same was discarded. Finally the tape was positioned at Point A; pulled up to Point B; and fixed. This procedure was carried out with the ankle positioned in plantar flexion and inversion, maximum amplitude achieved passively by the patient.