The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of
Kinesio Tape (KT) application to quadriceps muscles on iso
-
kinetic muscle strength, gait, and functional parameters in
patients with stroke. Twenty-four
patients were allocated into
KT and control groups. All patients participated in the same
conventional rehabilitation program 5 times/wk for 4 wk. In
addition, KT was applied to quadriceps muscles bilaterally to
the patients in the KT group. Compared with baseline, peak
torque levels increased significantly in both groups (all
p
<
0.05). However, change levels were significantly higher in the
KT group than the control group at 60 degrees/second angular
velocity (AV) in extension (
p
= 0.04) and 60 and 180 degrees/
second AV in flexion (both
p
= 0.02) on the paretic side. More
-
over, the change levels were more prominent in the KT group
at 60 and 180 degrees/second AV in extension (
p
= 0.03 and
p
= 0.04, respectively) on the nonparetic side. Gait, balance,
mobility, and quality of life values improved significantly in
both groups (all
p
< 0.05), yet the change levels between the
groups did not reach
significance (
p
> 0.05). KT application to
quadriceps muscles in addition
to conventional exercises for
4
wk is effective on isokinetic
but not functional parameters