The hand as an instrument of cerebral plasticity
Disabil Rehabil. 2016;38(3):277-81. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1038365. Epub 2015 Apr 20.
Costantino C , Pedrini MF , Licari O .
Abstract
Purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in leg muscles strength and motor performance between neuromuscular taping (NT) and sham tape groups.
Relapsing-remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were recruited and randomly assigned to NT or sham tape groups. All patients underwent the treatment 5 times at 5-d intervals. They were submitted to a 6-minute walk test and isokinetic test (peak torque) at the beginning (T0), at the end (T1) and 2 months after the end of the treatment (T2).
Forty MS patients (38!F; 2!M; mean age 45.5!±!6.5 years) were assigned to NT group (n!=!20) and to sham tape group (n!=!20). Delta Peak Torque T1-T0 and T2-T0 between two groups were statistically significant in quadriceps (p!=!0.007; 0.000) and hamstrings (p!=!0.011; 0.007). The difference between the two groups according to 6-minute walk test was not statistically significant but in NT group it was noticed an increasing trend about the distance run.
In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, NT seemed to increase strength
in leg muscles, compared to a sham device, in RR MS patients. Further studies are needed to consider this therapy as a complement to classic physical therapy.
Neuromuscular taping (NT) in multiple sclerosis: NT is well tolerated by multiple sclerosis patients and should be a complement to classic physical therapy. This technique normalizes muscular function, strengthens weakened muscles and assists the postural alignment.
Motor performance; multiple sclerosis; muscle strength; neuromuscular taping
PMID: 25893397 DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25893397#