Influence of Kinesio Taping® in Paretic Tibialis Anterior Muscle During Patient Gait and Balance After Stroke

The patient is placed on a stretcher, his ankle positioned in plantar flexion and inversion, a measure was held between Point A and B with a tape measure, right after the 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. 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.

The sham group received the tape applied without tension. The patient was positioned supine; the ankle was placed in a neutral position (90 degrees); and measured between Point A and Point B with a tape measure placed on the skin was performed. Once registered this measure in centimeters the evaluator cut the KT with the same measure, but without the presence of paper attached to it to ensure that there was no tension, because the KT needs a minimum voltage to be applied on paper. After measured and cut the KT, it was applied to the patient in the supine position with the ankle positioned at 90 degrees with no traction.