The effects of connective tissue manipulation and Kinesio Taping on chronic constipation in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of connective tissue manipulation (CTM) and Kinesio Taping® (KT) on constipation and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Forty children diagnosed with chronic constipation based on Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to CTM group [6 females, 7 males; 8 y 6 mo (SD = 3y 4 mo)], KT group [7 female, 7 male; 8y 7 mo (SD =3y 5 mo)] or control group [6 female, 7 male; 8y 3 mo (SD = 3y 6 mo)]. All patients were assessed with 7-day bowel diaries, Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PEDsQL). Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon's signed-rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine intra-group and inter-group differences. The level of significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Among the CTM, KT, and control groups, there were statistically significant differences regarding the changes in defecation frequency (2.46, 3.00, 0.30, ES 1.16, p < 0.001), duration of defecation (5.07, 5.35, 0.15, ES 2.37, p = 0.003), BSFS (1.84, 2.14, 0.07, ES 0.91, p < 0.001), VAS (4.83, 3.87, 0.23, ES 1.98, p < 0.001), and PEDsQL total scores (7, 14, 8.36, -0.85, ES 4.08, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that CTM and KT seem equally effective physiotherapy approaches for the treatment of pediatric constipation and these approaches may be added to bowel rehabilitation program. Implications for rehabilitation CTM and KT have similar effectiveness in alleviating the constipation-related symptoms and improving quality of life in children with CP. CTM and KT can be integrated into bowel rehabilitation programs. Considering the characteristics of patients, these treatment options can be used as an alternative of each other by physiotherapists.

The effects of Kinesio Taping on body functions and activity in unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) on the body functions and activity of children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: This study was designed as a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Thirty children with unilateral spastic CP were randomized and split equally between the KT group (eight males, seven females; mean age 9y [SD 2y 3mo] range 7-12y) and the control group (seven males, eight females; mean age 9y 7mo [SD 3y 4mo] range 7-14y) receiving usual care. All participants were evaluated with the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP), the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), short-term muscle power, agility and functional muscle strength tests. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate within and between-group differences respectively. The level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. RESULTS: There were significant differences in muscle power sprint (p=0.003), lateral step-up test right (p=0.016), sit to stand (p=0.018), attain stand through half knee right (p=0.003), BOTMP Gross scores (p=0.019), and WeeFIM total (p=0.003) and self-care scores (p=0.022) between the groups (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION: Kinesio Taping is a promising additional approach to increase proprioceptive feedback and improve physical fitness, gross motor function, and activities of daily living in children with CP.