Effect of Kinesiology Taping on Head and Trunk Control in Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Overview

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of muscle diseases that results in increasing weakening and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time. The disorders differ in which muscles are primarily affected, the degree of weakness, how fast they worsen, and when symptoms begin. Many people will eventually become unable to walk. Some types are also associated with problems in other organs. The muscular dystrophy group contains thirty different genetic disorders that are usually classified into nine main categories or types. The signs and symptoms consistent with muscular dystrophy are: progressive muscular wasting, poor balance, scoliosis (curvature of the spine and the back), progressive inability to walk, waddling gait, Calf deformation, Limited range of movement, respiratory difficulty, cardiomyopathy and muscle spasms This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Kinesiology Taping on head and trunk control in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most common muscular dystrophy type in childhood. Trunk control is responsible for adaptation during weight transfers, provides and maintains the upright position of the body, organizes postural and correction reactions; and stabilizes the body to perform proximal and distal limb movements, trunk rotations, and making contact between the shoulder and pelvis. In neuromuscular diseases, the trunk is usually ignored both for assessment and treatment as muscle weakness of limbs attracts more attention. Therapists usually focus on activities of lower limb and overhead including standing, walking, climbing, and raising arms to maintain independent mobility in rehabilitation sessions. However, the trunk also gradually gets weaker as the child gets older and this may be associated with movement dysfunction of upper and lower limbs. The Kinesio Taping method is used in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, providing either an increase or a decrease in the neural excitation of the muscle, depending on the therapeutic purpose determined after the clinical assessment.