The effects of correcting tape on extensor synergy gait in hemiplegic patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of a walking correcting tape on the kinematics and temporal-spatial indicators of gait after a stroke. Methods Thirty hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group ( n=15) and a correcting tape group ( n=15) . In addition to their routine rehabilitation program, the control group received 30 minutes of walking training five times a week for 3 weeks with any necessary oral guidance and posture correction. The correcting tape group performed the same walking training assisted by a self-made walking correcting tape. Before and after the treatment, the kinematics and temporal-spatial indicators of both groups were quantified using three-dimensional gait analysis. Results After the treatment, the peak angles of hip and knee flex-ion were significantly higher in the taped group than in the control group and in the taped group before the treatment ( P≤0.05) . After the treatment, the walking speeds, stride frequencies and stride lengths of both groups were signifi-cantly better than before the treatment, but those of the former group were all significantly better than the latter ( P≤0.05 for both) . Conclusions Correcting tape can improve the peak angles of hip and knee flexion of hemiplegic legs and improve the walking capacity of stroke patients.