Kinesio Taping for Upper Extremity Motor Function in Acute Stroke Patients

NCT ID: NCT07300605

Last Updated: 2025-12-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

26 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-06-01

Study Completion Date

2018-11-10

Brief Summary

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This randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of kinesio taping on upper extremity motor recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke who presented with flaccid muscle tone. Twenty-six adults were randomly assigned to either a kinesio taping group or a sham taping group, in addition to receiving standard rehabilitation. Participants were evaluated at baseline, at the end of the 3-week taping period, and at 6 weeks using validated measures of motor function, pain, general health, and depression. The study aimed to determine whether kinesio taping provides additional benefits beyond conventional rehabilitation in improving motor performance of the wrist and hand, reducing pain, and supporting overall functional and emotional well-being in the early phase of stroke recovery.

Detailed Description

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This prospective, randomized, controlled parallel-group trial investigated the clinical effects of kinesio taping on motor recovery of the upper extremity in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Participants were adults aged 50-80 years, within the first six months after stroke, presenting with Brunnstrom Stage 1 flaccid upper extremity and hand. Individuals with hemorrhagic stroke, prior upper limb surgery, severe shoulder pain, additional neurological conditions, or musculoskeletal complications affecting the upper limb were excluded. All participants received standard rehabilitation, including positioning training, conventional exercises, and splinting as needed.

Participants were randomized (1:1) into a kinesio taping group or a sham taping group. The kinesio taping protocol followed standard facilitation techniques applied to the dorsum of the hand and forearm with appropriate tension, aiming to support finger, wrist, and hand activation. Sham taping was performed without tension and without crossing joints, to avoid therapeutic effect while maintaining participant blinding. Both groups received three taping applications over approximately three weeks.

Outcome measures included Brunnstrom staging, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (upper extremity, wrist, and hand subscales), Visual Analog Scale for hand pain, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory. Evaluations were performed before treatment, at the end of the 3-week intervention period, and at 6 weeks. Statistical analyses were conducted using standard non-parametric methods for intra- and inter-group comparisons.

The study was designed to determine whether kinesio taping provides additional benefit beyond conventional rehabilitation in facilitating neurophysiological recovery, improving wrist and hand motor function, reducing pain, supporting functional independence, and decreasing depressive symptoms in the acute phase of stroke. No adverse events were observed during the study.

Conditions

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Acute Ischemic Stroke Upper Extremity Hemiplegia Kinesio Taping

Keywords

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Kinesio Taping Stroke Rehabilitation Upper Extremity Recovery Brunnstrom Stages Fugl-Meyer Assessment

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants were randomized into two parallel groups: kinesio taping and sham taping.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors
Participants and outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation

Study Groups

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Kinesio Taping

Participants received kinesio taping applied to the dorsum of the hand and forearm using standard facilitation techniques with approximately 25% tension, in addition to conventional rehabilitation.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Kinesio Taping

Intervention Type OTHER

Kinesio tape was applied to the dorsum of the hand with five 1-cm I-strips and one 5-cm I-strip extending toward the forearm, with \~25% stretch. Three applications over approximately 3 weeks.

Sham Taping

Participants received sham taping without tension and without crossing joints, mimicking the appearance of kinesio taping but without therapeutic effect, in addition to conventional rehabilitation.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Taping

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham taping was performed using Y- and I-strips without stretch and without crossing joints. Three applications over approximately 3 weeks.

Interventions

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Kinesio Taping

Kinesio tape was applied to the dorsum of the hand with five 1-cm I-strips and one 5-cm I-strip extending toward the forearm, with \~25% stretch. Three applications over approximately 3 weeks.

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham Taping

Sham taping was performed using Y- and I-strips without stretch and without crossing joints. Three applications over approximately 3 weeks.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adults aged 50-80 years
* Diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke confirmed by CT or MRI
* Within first 6 months after stroke onset
* Brunnstrom Stage 1 for upper extremity and hand (flaccid muscle tone)
* Sufficient cognitive ability to follow instructions
* Participation in inpatient or outpatient stroke rehabilitation
* Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Hemorrhagic stroke etiology
* Prior upper extremity surgery, fracture, contracture, or heterotopic ossification
* Brachial plexus injury or peripheral nerve lesions
* Additional neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, polyneuropathy)
* Severe shoulder pain (VAS ≥ 5) that could interfere with assessments
* Significant musculoskeletal disorders affecting the hemiplegic upper extremity
* Uncontrolled comorbidities that prevent participation in rehabilitation
* Inability to complete follow-up assessments
Minimum Eligible Age

50 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

80 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Koç University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Havvanur Albayrak

Specialist Physician, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Havvanur Albayrak

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Koç University School of Medicine

Locations

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SB Istanbul Education and Research Hospital

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Other Identifiers

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KUSOM-IRB-2018/249

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id