Kinesiology Taping in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Acute Effects on Performance, Gait Characteristics, and Balance.

AIM: This study was aimed to investigate the acute effects of kinesiology taping (KT) on physical performance, gait characteristics, and balance in early-stage Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

METHOD: Forty-five children at early functional level of DMD were included. 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and timed performance tests were performed; gait characteristics, and balance were assessed before and one hour after taping. KT was applied to bilateral quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles. The comparison of assessments was performed by using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test.

RESULTS: Significant increase in the distance of 6MWT, decrease in the duration of descending 4 steps, and 10 m walk timed performance tests, improvements in all of the gait characteristics, and balance were determined after taping ( p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: KT has positive acute effects on performance and gait of children with DMD at early functional level which encourages therapists to use KT as a complementary approach in rehabilitation programs.