Role of neuromuscular taping on standing and walking abilities in children with diplegic cerebral palsy

Aim: The aim of this study was to study the effects of neuromuscular kinesiotaping (NMKT) on standing and walking abilities in children with spasticdiplegic cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods: This study was designed as randomized controlled trial. Thirty CP children of spastic diplegic type were randomized and equally divided between the study group (group I) who received NMKT and the traditional physical therapy program and the control group (group II) who received only the traditional physical therapy program. All children were evaluated by the Bio dexstability system for the total stability index (SI), anterposterior (A/P) SI, mediolateral (M/L) SI, and by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) (D) for standing and (E) for walking, jumping, and running before and after 3 months of treatment.
Results: By comparison of the pre and post treatment results, a significant improvement has been achieved in both groups for all the measured variables (total SI, A/P SI, M/L SI, GMFM (D) except in GMFM (E) in group II, (p<0.05). Also significant differences have been found when comparing the post treatment results between the two groups in all of the measured variables (total SI, A/P SI, M/L SI, GMFM (D) and in GMFM (E) in favor of the group I (p<0.05)
Conclusion: NMKT is a promising additional approach to improve the standing and walking abilities and balance via cutaneous and proprioceptive feedback in CP children of spastic diplegic type.