Effects of thoracic kinesiological taping on pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle strength, and functional independence in patients with hemiplegia: a randomized controlled clinical trial
In brief
Thoracic taping improved lung function and independence in a 30-patient stroke trial
After four weeks of rehabilitation, patients receiving tensioned thoracic kinesiology tape had greater gains in lung function, inspiratory strength, and functional independence than those receiving sham tape. The trial included just 30 people and reported no effect sizes, while expiratory muscle strength slightly favored sham taping, so the practical size and durability of benefits remain unclear.
- Journal
- Topics in stroke rehabilitation (Q1)
- Published
- 8 October 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Natali Bitmani, Çiçek Günday, Yunus Emre Tütüneken, Roya Soltanalizadeh
- PMID
- 42847866
- DOI
- 10.1080/10749357.2026.2746392
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Rehabilitation (paper of the day, 9 October 2026): Thoracic KT improves pulmonary function and FIM in chronic stroke
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of thoracic kinesiology taping (KT) on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and functional independence in individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiplegia. METHODS: 30 patients were randomly assigned to a thoracic KT or sham taping group. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The KT group received thoracic taping with 50-75% tension, whereas the sham group received an identical application without tension. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention, and included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). RESULTS: Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in FVC, FEV1, PEF, and MIP (all p = 0.001), with greater changes in the KT group. FIM improved significantly only in the KT group (p = 0.015). MEP did not change in the KT group (p = 0.674) but showed a small increase in the sham group (p = 0.010). Between-group comparisons demonstrated significant advantages in favor of KT for FVC (p < 0.001), FEV1 (p < 0.001), PEF (p < 0.001), and MIP (p < 0.001) and FIM (p = 0.029), while a small but significant advantage in MEP was observed in favor of the sham group (p = 0.030). CONCLUSION: Thoracic KT, when combined with conventional rehabilitation, significantly improves pulmonary function and inspiratory muscle strength in individuals with chronic stroke. Its effects appear to be primarily related to optimization of ventilatory mechanics rather than direct muscle strengthening. Thoracic KT may serve as a practical adjunct in respiratory neurorehabilitation.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.