Comparison of the Effects of Elastic and Rigid Taping on Gross Motor Function, Balance, and Functional Capacity in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized, Single-Blinded Trial

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KORKEM YORULMAZ D., Gök R., Tüzün E. H., TÜRKER D., BİRBİR B., YILDIRIM ŞAHAN T.

Children, cilt.12, sa.11, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 12 Sayı: 11
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/children12111551
  • Dergi Adı: Children
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: cerebral palsy, motor function, postural balance, functional capacity, taping, physiotherapy
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Highlights: What are the main findings? This is the first trial comparing Kinesio taping and rigid taping in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Both taping types improved motor function, walking, balance, and functional capacity. What is the implication of the main finding? Taping can be used as an effective adjunct in pediatric neurorehabilitation to enhance functional outcomes. Background/Objectives: This randomized, single-blinded trial compared the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) and rigid taping (RT) on gross motor function, balance, and functional capacity in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). Methods: Fifty-two children (aged 7–16) were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBBS), Time-Up-and-Go (TUG), and 2-Minute Walk Test (2-MWT). Results: Both KT and RT produced significant intra-group improvements in GMFM, PBBS, TUG, and 2-MWT scores (p ≤ 0.001). Although nonparametric analysis suggested greater changes for KT in TUG and 2-MWT (p < 0.001; p = 0.036), no significant inter-group differences were found when baseline scores were adjusted using the General Linear Model (GLM) (2-MWT: p = 0.29; TUG: p = 0.087). Conclusions: KT and RT are similarly effective adjuncts to physiotherapy, improving gross motor function, balance, and functional capacity in children with HCP. Therefore, the choice between KT and RT may be guided by clinical preference, child tolerance, and therapeutic goals rather than superiority of effect.