Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine (대한물리의학회지)

The Korean Society of Physical Medicine (대한물리의학회)
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Change of ${\alpha}$-motor Neuron Excitability by Taping Across a Muscle

근육 횡방향 테이핑에 의한 ${\alpha}$-운동 신경원 흥분 변화

  • Kim, Jong-Soon (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan) ;
  • Kim, Nan-Soo (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan) ;
  • Lee, Hyun-Ok (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan)
  • 김종순 (부산가톨릭대학교 보건과학대학 물리치료학과) ;
  • 김난수 (부산가톨릭대학교 보건과학대학 물리치료학과) ;
  • 이현옥 (부산가톨릭대학교 보건과학대학 물리치료학과)
  • Received : 2010.09.28
  • Accepted : 2010.11.05
  • Published : 2010.11.30
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Abstract

Purpose : The application of tape to modulation of pain and muscular excitability has become common clinical practice among musculoskeletal physical therapy. However, the techniques of the tape application has been relied on empirical evidence in preference to the neurophysiological evidence. Thus, the mechanism of taping has to be elucidated further. The aim of this study was to determine whether elastic and non-elastic taping across a muscle does indeed change ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability. Methods : The study was performed on 10 neurologically healthy adults. Two different types of tape were applied to skin overlying gastrocnemius. The elastic tape stretched up to 120% of its original length but non-elastic tape didn't stretched up of its original length. The tape applied across the direction on thickest part of the gastrocnemius. The ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability of the gastrocnemius was assessed using the gastrocnemius H-reflex. The amplitude of the M-wave and H-reflex were measured across three conditions: before tape application, with tape and with the tape removed. Results : No significant changes of the excitability of the ${\alpha}$-motor neuron were obtained across three condition, either in the elastic and non-elastic tape. Conclusion : From the results, I could come to the conclusion that further clinical work will be required.

Keywords

References

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