Shani SELA, Elisha VERED, Leonid KALICHMAN

Stroke, Kinesiotape, function, therapy, upper extremity, activities of daily living.

Introduction: Post-stroke spasticity is a prevalent motor complication leading to extremity weakness and impaired coordination, significantly affecting daily activities. This study evaluated the efficacy of combining Kinesiotape with occupational therapy in reducing spasticity and enhancing upper extremity functionality in post-stroke patients. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial at Shmuel Harofeh Medical Center involved 16 patients randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention group (Kinesiotape plus occupational therapy) or a control group (occupational therapy alone). Treatment lasted four weeks, five sessions weekly. Assessments occurred pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-week follow-up using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for spasticity, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) for motor function, handgrip dynamometer for grip strength, and Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI) for hand function. Results: Kinesiotape significantly reduced spasticity versus control post-intervention (u=6.00, p=0.007) and at follow-up (u=1.00, p=0.003). In the Kinesiotape group, spasticity decreased significantly (z=-2.37, p=0.018) from pre-intervention (7.89±3.79) to one hour post-application (5.33±4.06), with significant increases in upper extremity motor function (t=-4.151, p=0.003) from pre- (9.89±16.56) to post-intervention (21.67±20.70) and grip strength (z=-2.023, p=0.043). Conclusion: Combining Kinesiotape with occupational therapy limits spasticity development, improves upper extremity motor function and grip strength, and enhances quality of life in acute stroke patients.

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