Effect of Kinesiology Taping on Hyolaryngeal Complex Movement in Stroke Patient with Dysphagia

Background: Kinesiology taping (KT) is a method that helps immediately increase muscle activation, strength and joint stability by being attached to various skeletal muscles and structures of the body. Objectives: To investigate the effect of KT applied below the hyolaryngeal complex on the movement of the hyolaryngeal complex during swallowing in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Design: One-group, pre-post design. Methods: Twenty individuals with dysphagia after stroke participated in this study. KT was applied to the sternum and both clavicles from the hyolaryngeal complex. We analyzed the motion of the hyolaryngeal complex during swallowing with and placebo KT and KT using the Image-J software with videofluoroscopic swallowing study. In addition, a 0-to-10 numerical rating self-report scale was used to check the required effort and resistance felt during swallowing. Results: KT condition showed that the anterior and superior movement of the hyoid bone during swallowing was significantly lower than placebo KT (P<.05, all). Also, KT condition showed that the anterior and superior movement of the larynx during swallowing was significantly lower than placebo KT (P<.05, all). In result of statistical comparison between KT group and placebo KT group, the KT group showed significantly higher self-report scale score than the placebo KT group in terms of two category; the required effort and resistance felt (P<.05, all). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that KT applied below the hyolaryngeal complex inhibits the anterior and superior movement of hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing of patients with dysphagia after stroke.