Kinesiology Taping in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Effects on Performance, Gait Characteristics, and Energy Consumption

Kinesiology Taping in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Effects on Performance, Gait Characteristics, and Energy Consumption

Investigators investigated that the effects of kinesilogy taping on performance, energy consumption and gait characteristics in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Forty-five patients from Level 1 and 2 according to the Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Classification were included in the study. Performance was assessed by measuring the distance in 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the duration of timed performance tests; energy consumption by Physiological Consumption Index (PCI), and gait characteristics by footprint method on powdered ground at baseline. Kinesiology taping with facilitation technique was applied on bilateral quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles and the assessments were repeated 1 hour after application. The comparison between before and after taping was analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis,
• age 5 to 14 years,
• able to cooperate with instructions of physiotherapist,
• able to walk independently,
• climb 4 steps independently/with minimal support from handrails.

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe contracture at lower extremities,
• other disease except for DMD, and
• history of any injury or orthopaedic/neurologic surgery within the past 6 months.