Kinesio Taping for Upper Extremity Motor Function in Acute Stroke Patients (KT-AcuteStroke)

The Effects of Kinesio Taping on the Upper Extremity Motor Function, Pain, General Health and Depression in Acute Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Acute Ischemic Stroke; Kinesio Taping; Upper Extremity Hemiplegia
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Kinesio Taping; Other: Sham Taping

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 26
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • SB Istanbul Education and Research Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 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.	Other: 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.
Sham Comparator: 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.	Other: Sham Taping; Sham taping was performed using Y- and I-strips without stretch and without crossing joints. Three applications over approximately 3 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Fugl-Meyer Wrist, Sitting Position Upper Extremity and Hand Scores	Fugl Meyer Rating Scale (FMRS) was used to evaluate motor function. This scale was developed to evaluate the patient's sensorimotor recovery after stroke by the Brunnstrom motor healing stages. The scale covers the upper extremity in 3 parts: the shoulder-elbow-forearm, the sitting position in the wrist, the hand; and allows the evaluation of reflex activity, synergy patterns and voluntary movements. It is a reliable method for assessing the severity of post-stroke sensorimotor impairment. The maximum total score for the upper extremity in FMRS is 66.	Baseline, Week 3, Week 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Brunnstrom Staging (Upper Extremity and Hand)	Combined assessment of upper extremity and hand motor recovery using the Brunnstrom Staging system (Stages 1-6). Higher stages indicate progressive neurophysiological motor recovery in the shoulder-elbow-forearm and hand components.	Baseline, Week 3, Week 6
Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Hand Pain	Pain intensity measured using a 10-cm visual analog scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain). Lower scores indicate reduced hand pain.	Baseline, Week 3, Week 6
Change in Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index	Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was used for the general health evaluation of the patients. HAQ evaluates the functional ability of the patient in both upper and lower extremities. There are 20 questions in eight functionalities that represent a comprehensive range of functional activities, such as dressing, uplifting, eating, walking, hygiene, access, comprehension, and regular activities. The patient's responses are made on a scale from zero (unobstructed) to three (completely disabled).	Baseline, Week 3, Week 6
Change in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Score	Depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (0-63). Lower scores indicate reduced depression severity.	Baseline, Week 3, Week 6

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Koç University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Havvanur Albayrak, Koç University School of Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): November 10, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 30, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 17, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): December 24, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 24, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 17, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Stroke Rehabilitation; Kinesio Taping; Fugl-Meyer Assessment; Upper Extremity Recovery; Brunnstrom Stages
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Stroke; Ischemic Stroke
• Other Study ID Numbers: KUSOM-IRB-2018/249

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No