Effect of Kinesio taping on electromyographic activity of leg muscles during gait in children with developmental coordination disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Kinesio tape (KT) on lower limb muscle activation pattern in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) during walking.

DESIGN

A parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

University laboratory setting.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-five children with DCD were randomly allocated to the KT group (mean age = 7.97 years) and 24 to the control group (mean age = 8.04 years).

INTERVENTION

KT group received KT application to the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles whereas the control group received no intervention.

MEASUREMENTS

Peak muscle activation (in percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [%MVIC]) in the lower limbs during gait was measured by means of surface electromyography, electrogoniometry, and foot contact switches.

RESULTS

Gastrocnemius medialis activation during mid stance (23.46%MVIC, 95% CI = -32.53, -14.39) and late stance phases (3.25%MVIC, 95% CI = -5.67, -0.81) of gait increased after the application of KT in the KT group compared to baseline values. The KT group demonstrated 26.87%MVIC (95% CI = 26.87, 7.11) higher gastrocnemius medialis muscle peak activation during mid stance phase at post-test when compared with the control group. Moreover, gastrocnemius medialis and biceps femoris muscle peak activation during loading response decreased by 8.36%MVIC (95% CI = 2.71, 14.02) and 3.54%MVIC (95% CI = 1.08, 6.01), respectively, in the control group overtime.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of KT on children with DCD had an increased gastrocnemius medialis muscle activation during stance phase. KT could be incorporated into gait re-education programmes to facilitate muscle contraction in these children.