Effect of Kinesiotape on Hand Functions in Stroke Patients

Aim: Despite the frequent use of kinesiotape (KT) in musculoskeletal disorders, there is insufficient data on its effectiveness in stroke patients. Several studies have evaluated the effect of KT on lower extremity functions, upper limb lymphedema and reflex sympathetic dystrophy in stroke patients, but as far as we know there is no study evaluating its effects on hand functions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acute phase effect on hand function of KT application in hemiplegic patients. Method: Twenty patients who had an ischemic / hemorrhagic stroke within the last 1 year were included into the study. All patients were treated with KT application to the forearm extensor muscle region, 3 times in total for 3 days. All patients' demographic characteristics [age, gender, education, smoking, diabetes (DM), hypertension (HT), type and duration of cerebrovascular disease, hemiplegic side, dominant hand] were recorded. The severity of the disease was assessed by the National Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) index, hand functions were assessed by two-step Minnesota hand skill test (nine-hole test), hand functional index before and after KT application (end of 3rd week ) and hand grip strength by dynamometer. Findings: Thirteen male and seven female patients were included in the study at an average age of 61±6 years. 45% of the patients had a short duration diagnosis of 3 months, 100% had HT, 85% had DM. Ischemic type was the most frequently seen stroke types with a frequency of 90%. Significant differences were observed in hand grip strength (p=0.001), hand functional index (p<0.001) and nine-hole test duration (p=0.001) after 3 weeks of KT application. Conclusion: KT has a positive effect on hand functions in the acute phase in stroke rehabilitation