Kinesio Taping Effect on Postural Balance in Elderly

The elderly population has increased significantly in the last years. The number of falls has also increased due to the decrease of balance. The Kinesio Taping (KT) is a method with the aim to improve muscle physiology, proprioception, coordination and balance. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of KT on postural balance in the elderly. We evaluated 62 elderly with a mean age of 67.98±5.321, female, submitted to the protocol for the application of KT in gastrocnemius muscles of the midfoot and a placebo tape (3M Micropore) in the control group. The application of the tapes was bilateral. Half of the participants (n=31) received KT in the lower limbs, while the control group (n=31) was applied placebo tape. To analysis of posture and balance, we used a force plate to record stabilometric signals. Both groups were evaluated post-application and 48 hours after application of the tape. The variables used were total displacement in centimeters (cm), amplitude AP (anterior-posterior) and ML (medial-lateral) in centimeters, area (cm²) and speed AP and ML in centimeters for seconds. The experimental protocol was performed in standing posture and the subjects were instructed to stand with feet apart, eyes open to look at the fixed point 1.5 m from force plate in a horizontal direction. It was requested that the elderly maintain the position for a time of 40 seconds to collect data The data were collected immediately post application of tapes and after 48 hours. The data was tabulated, descriptive statistics were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using the GraphPad Prism 4.0 software (Prism, Chicago, IL). The Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used to verify the data distribution. Differences between the means were evaluated using the Student T test for the normally distributed data, and using the Mann-Whitney test for the data not normally distributed. Significance levels were set at p<0.05.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Accidental Falls
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Kinesio Taping; Device: 3M Micropore

Detailed Description

The Kinesio Taping Group (KTG) was composed of 31 participants that received the application of KT (K-Taping®) on the gastrocnemius muscle and the muscles of the midfoot. The placebo tape group (PTG) was composed of 31 participants that received the application of a placebo tape (3M Micropore®) on the same muscles of both limbs. The order of application of KT tape and placebo was conducted randomly among the elderly. Before the tape applying the site was cleaned with 70% ethanol for better fixation of the tape and for both groups were determined the application technique in "I" shaped. This technique consist in placing two tapes that format. The first tape was placed along the length of the plantar aponeurosis fixed point in the middle third of the medial gastrocnemius muscle to the metatarsal phalangeal joint. The second tape was also applied in "I" shaped without fixed point was placed around the midfoot arch in the direction of tension lines to assist with the metatarsal arch support.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 61
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Brazil
  • Sao Paulo
    • Franca, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 14404600
      • University of Franca

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 60 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• elderly, gender female

Exclusion Criteria:

• No severe orthopedic diseases

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Kinesio Taping Group; The Kinesio Taping group (KTG) (n = 31 elderly women) were submitted to the protocol of applying Kinesio Taping for gastrocnemius muscle and the muscles of the median foot. The application of the tapes was bilateral limbs. The subjects were evaluated post-application and 48 hours after application of the tape.	Device: Kinesio Taping; The Kinesio Taping group (KTG) (n = 31 elderly women) were submitted to the protocol of applying Kinesio Taping for gastrocnemius muscle and the muscles of the median foot. The application of the tapes was bilateral limbs. The subjects were evaluated post-application and 48 hours after application of the tape.
Experimental: Placebo tape group; The placebo tape group (PTG) (n = 31 elderly women) were submitted to the protocol of applying placebo tape (3M Micropore) for gastrocnemius muscle and the muscles of the median foot in the same way that KTG. The application of the tapes was bilateral limbs. The subjects were evaluated post-application and 48 hours after application of the tape.	Device: 3M Micropore; The placebo tape group (PTG) (n = 31 elderly women) were submitted to the protocol of applying placebo tape (3M Micropore) for gastrocnemius muscle and the muscles of the median foot in the same way that KTG. The application of the tapes was bilateral limbs. The subjects were evaluated post-application and 48 hours after application of the tape.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Force plate to postural balance	To analysis of posture and balance, we used a force plate to record stabilometric signals. Both groups were evaluated post-application and 48 hours after application of the tape. The variables used were total displacement in centimeters (cm), amplitude AP (anterior-posterior) and ML (medial-lateral) in centimeters, area (cm²) and speed AP and ML in centimeters for seconds. We did not observe adverse effects	6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Franca
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Paulo RV Quemelo, PhD, University of Franca

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Lins CA, Neto FL, Amorim AB, Macedo Lde B, Brasileiro JS. Kinesio Taping((R)) does not alter neuromuscular performance of femoral quadriceps or lower limb function in healthy subjects: randomized, blind, controlled, clinical trial. Man Ther. 2013 Feb;18(1):41-5. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.06.009. Epub 2012 Jul 15.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2012
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 21, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 30, 2013
• First Posted (Estimate): September 2, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): September 2, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 30, 2013
• Last Verified: August 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: fall; postural balance;; elderly;; proprioception;; prevention
• Other Study ID Numbers: UNIFRAN