The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of kinesio taping on ROM, spasticity, and functional mobility of diplegia and quadriplegia spastic cerebral palsy children. The results indicated no significant difference after 2 days of intervention; however, they indicated a significant difference after 2 weeks of intervention. Two weeks after the intervention, a significant improvement in knee and knee ranges of motion and a reduction in spasticity have been observed.
Spasticity is considered the most important functional disorder of cerebral palsy, which is followed by muscle shortness and reduced range of joint mobility along with functional mobility disorders [14,15,16]. Interventions which are done with the aim of reducing spasticity can lead to improved ROM and, consequently, improved functional mobility [17]. Spasticity of the hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles causes disability in ankle dorsiflexion and knee extension [18]. It seems that kinesio taping can inhibit spastic muscles by applying a retentive tension on these muscles and changing the mechanic properties of the muscles and other soft tissues [19, 20].
Kinesio taping can make changes by creating nervous feedback in the patients and facilitate motion by mechanic induction of soft tissues. Consequently, it can improve ROM [21, 22]. Different kinds of hypotheses are presented to improve the range of motion, such as pain reduction, and improve muscle alignment [23]. One of the hypotheses argues that by applying the tape, the skin will be stretched due to the flexibility of the tape, and the distance of the skin with muscle will be increased which increases local blood and lymph flow and, consequently, improves the functional mobility and ROM [21].
Positive effects of kinesio taping for improving ROM in patients with different disorders are reported in some of the studies. In the present study, kinesio taping along with physiotherapy and occupational treatment is considered an effective method for ankle and knee ROM improvement in cerebral palsy children. In a study, Choi conducted a similar research on the effects of ankle kinesio taping before and after proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises in patients with stroke. Their results indicated a significant increase in dorsi flexion ROM and Berg balance scale, and a significant reduction in TUG duration [24].
Yoshida and colleagues analyzed the effects of kinesio tape on lower limbs’ range of motion. Their study sample consisted of 30 healthy people without any lower limb profile or backache. They concluded that flexion difference was very significant; therefore, flexion ROM increases after applying kinesio tape. These results are consistent with the results of the present study [25].
Demirel recruited 15 cerebral palsy children, aged 6 to 18 years old, to analyze the effects of kinesio taping on wrist active range of motion. Kinesio taping was applied with functional technique on a child’s wrist. Before and after intervention evaluations were measured by a triangle meter. The researchers concluded that extension active range of motion, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation were improved after interventions [26]. Greve and colleagues conducted a case study to analyze the effects of kinesio taping on gastrocnemius muscle which leads to spasticity reduction in diplegia spasticity cerebral palsy children. They observed a significant difference in the Modified Modified Ashworth (MMA) Scale. Their results are consistent with the results of the present study [27]. Karadag and colleagues used a combination of kinesio taping and Botox gastrocnemius for patients with stroke and observed significant changes, such as an improved MMA scale, improved walking speed, and increased step length [8]. Functional mobility requires muscle strength, motor coordination, and ability of changing status while maintaining stability. In the present study, functional mobility was evaluated by TUG which indicated significant changes in a shorter period after interventions. In a similar study, Kim and colleagues used kinesio taping for 26 patients with stroke along with their regular physiotherapy schedules. After 8 weeks, they reported that kinesio taping could significantly reduce TUG duration. However, in this study, kinesio taping was applied three times a week for 30 min, while in our study, it was applied for 24 h on patients’ feet [28].