The effects of kinesio taping of lower limbs on functional mobility, spasticity, and range of motion of children with spastic cerebral palsy

Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological disease in a growing brain. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effects of kinesio taping (KT) of the lower limbs on functional mobility, spasticity, and range of motion (ROM) of children with cerebral palsy. Methods Thirty children with spastic cerebral palsy aged 3 to 10 years old were selected from pediatric rehabilitation clinics. Subjects were divided randomly into intervention and control groups. Each group contains 15 subjects. Both groups received kinesio taping along with occupational therapy for 2 weeks. In the intervention group, kinesio taping was applied in a treatment mode with suitable tension; however, taping was applied in the control group in a sham mode. Timed get up and go (TUG), Modified Modified Ashworth (MMA), and goniometer tests were used prior to the intervention and 2 days and 2 weeks after the intervention. Results Short-term application of kinesio taping in the intervention group did not lead to significant changes in ROM ( P = 0.582), muscle tone ( P = 0.317), and functional mobility ( P = 0.320). However, long-term application of kinesio taping improved the range of motion, muscle tone, and functional mobility ( P < 0.05). No significant change has been observed in the control group in different intervals. Conclusion The findings indicated that kinesio taping can increase ROM of the knee and reduce spasticity. It also can improve the functional mobility. Therefore, it seems that kinesio taping is efficient for rehabilitation of spastic CP as a reliable treatment method. Trial registration IRCT, IRCT2017082135822N1, Registered 19 September 2017, https://fa.irct.ir/IRCT2017082135822N1 .