The Effect of Kinesiology Tape Application on Functional Level and Respiratory Function in Intensive Care Unit Patients

The taping on the diaphragm from the abdomen was performed when the participant was standing and breathed-out and the body was in extension. The base of the tape was about 1 inch below the xiphoid process area. Then the arms were lifted above the head and, with maximum deep inspiration and after maximum rib cage expansion, the tails were applied with 10% tension on the rib cage. Diaphragmatic kinesiology taping will be applied in addition to conventional treatment for 3 days.

Tapings of the accessory inspiratory muscles were applied in a sitting posture. Sternocleidomastoideus taping was applied when the neck of the participant was in lateral flexion to the opposite side to be taped and in rotation to the same side; and anterior and medius scalene tapings were applied when the neck of the participant was in the lateral flexion position to the opposite side to be taped. Tapings were repeated on the opposite side.Taping was applied to accessory expiratory muscles in the supine position. While the participant was supporting one leg in the hip and knee flexion position on the bed, the other leg was extended from the bed and the hip was kept in the extension position. The obliquus externus muscle was taped on the side with hip-knee flexion and the obliquus internus muscle was taped on the side with hip extension.In addition to conventional treatment, kinesiology taping will be applied to the accessory respiratory muscles for 3 days.

Sham kinesiology taping will be applied for 3 days. Sham KT was performed with the same taping material. A 2-blocked I strip was applied vertically to the sternum. The same procedures were followed.