Kinesio Taping effect on postural balance in the elderly

Abstract

The aging process leads to balance disorders that can increase the number of falls. The Kinesio Taping is a method that aims at improving muscle performance, proprioception, coordination and balance. The aim of the study was to investigate the Kinesio Taping effects on postural balance in the elderly population. We evaluated 62 female seniors, with an average age of 68±5 years, who were divided into two groups: the Kinesio Taping group, in which the elderly women (n=31) were submitted to the protocol of this tape application for gastrocnemius and median foot muscles (n=31), and Control, where the elderly women (n=31) received a placebo tape (3M Micropore). We used a force plate to record stabilometric signals for the postural balance analysis. Both groups were evaluated post-application and with an interval of 48 hours. The used variables were total displacement, anteroposterior and mediolateral amplitudes, area, and anteroposterior and mediolateral velocities. The results showed that Kinesio Taping did not cause significant changes in relation to the Control Group, post-application and 48 hours after application. The findings indicate that Kinesio Taping was not able to change postural balance in the elderly female population.