Investigation the effect of rigid taping on knee and hip joint kinematics in chronic stroke patients with knee hyperextension gait

Background: Although stroke patients gain an advantage in gait due to the knee hyperextension that occurs during the stance phase, this situation disrupts the biomechanical structure of the knee and increases the risk of injury to the capsular and ligamentous structures. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of rigid taping on hyperextension control and pelvic kinematics in stroke patients with knee hyperextension during the stance phase of gait.

Research question: Does rigid taping have an effect on hyperextension control and pelvic kinematics in stroke patients with knee hyperextension?

Methods: Thirty stroke patients aged between 40 and 70 were included in this pre-postintervention study. Kinematic assessment of gait was performed using a motion analysis system (Vicon Ltd, Bilston). Then, the rigid taping was applied to the patients using the hyperextension taping technique, and the kinematic analysis of the gait was repeated with the motion analysis system.

Results: It was found that the rigid taping for the knee hyperextension significantly reduced the knee hyperextension (p < 0.05). Additionally, it was observed that the rigid taping significantly reduced the pelvic retraction (p < 0.05). However, no change was observed in the pelvic drop with the rigid taping application.

Significance: Our results showed that the rigid taping effectively controlled the knee hyperextension. It was thought that the rigid taping application contributed to reducing knee hyperextension and pelvic retraction because it mechanically gave the knee a flexion moment and provided proprioceptive input.