Clinical trial NCT01933737: Kinesio Taping Effect on Postural Balance in Elderly
Official title: Kinesio Taping Effect on Postural Balance in Elderly
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: TERMINATED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Accidental Falls
Keywords: postural balance;
elderly;
proprioception;
prevention;
fall
Lead sponsor: University of Franca
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2013-09-02
Enrollment: 61
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 60
Maximum age (years): 75
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The elderly population has increased significantly in the last years. The number of falls has also increased due to the decrease of balance. The Kinesio Taping (KT) is a method with the aim to improve muscle physiology, proprioception, coordination and balance. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of KT on postural balance in the elderly. We evaluated 62 elderly with a mean age of 67.98±5.321, female, submitted to the protocol for the application of KT in gastrocnemius muscles of the midfoot and a placebo tape (3M Micropore) in the control group. The application of the tapes was bilateral. Half of the participants (n=31) received KT in the lower limbs, while the control group (n=31) was applied placebo tape. To analysis of posture and balance, we used a force plate to record stabilometric signals. Both groups were evaluated post-application and 48 hours after application of the tape. The variables used were total displacement in centimeters (cm), amplitude AP (anterior-posterior) and ML (medial-lateral) in centimeters, area (cm²) and speed AP and ML in centimeters for seconds. The experimental protocol was performed in standing posture and the subjects were instructed to stand with feet apart, eyes open to look at the fixed point 1.5 m from force plate in a horizontal direction. It was requested that the elderly maintain the position for a time of 40 seconds to collect data The data were collected immediately post application of tapes and after 48 hours. The data was tabulated, descriptive statistics were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using the GraphPad Prism 4.0 software (Prism, Chicago, IL). The Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used to verify the data distribution. Differences between the means were evaluated using the Student T test for the normally distributed data, and using the Mann-Whitney test for the data not normally distributed. Significance levels were set at p\<0.05.

Detailed description: The Kinesio Taping Group (KTG) was composed of 31 participants that received the application of KT (K-Taping®) on the gastrocnemius muscle and the muscles of the midfoot. The placebo tape group (PTG) was composed of 31 participants that received the application of a placebo tape (3M Micropore®) on the same muscles of both limbs. The order of application of KT tape and placebo was conducted randomly among the elderly. Before the tape applying the site was cleaned with 70% ethanol for better fixation of the tape and for both groups were determined the application technique in "I" shaped. This technique consist in placing two tapes that format. The first tape was placed along the length of the plantar aponeurosis fixed point in the middle third of the medial gastrocnemius muscle to the metatarsal phalangeal joint. The second tape was also applied in "I" shaped without fixed point was placed around the midfoot arch in the direction of tension lines to assist with the metatarsal arch support.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* elderly, gender female

Exclusion Criteria:

* No severe orthopedic diseases

Primary outcomes:
measure: Force plate to postural balance
timeFrame: 6 months
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Franca
country: Brazil
facility: University of Franca
state: Sao Paulo
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Franca
name: Paulo RV Quemelo, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Lins CA, Neto FL, Amorim AB, Macedo Lde B, Brasileiro JS. Kinesio Taping((R)) does not alter neuromuscular performance of femoral quadriceps or lower limb function in healthy subjects: randomized, blind, controlled, clinical trial. Man Ther. 2013 Feb;18(1):41-5. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.06.009. Epub 2012 Jul 15.