EFFECT OF ANKLE DISTORTION TAPING ON BALANCE, GAIT, FUNCTION, SPASTICITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CEREBRAL PALSY CASES WITH VARUS DEFORMITY : A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ankle distortion taping on balance, gait, function, spasticity and quality of life in cerebral palsy cases with varus deformity. Material and Methods: A two -armed randomized controlled trial was carried out in rehabilitation center. A total of 32 children with CP were randomized into taping plus conventional therapy (T+CG) and conventional therapy group (CG). The children in the T+CG group were given distortion taping for 3 days in addition to CG. Participants were assessed before the treatment, in the immediate period after the first session, and in the acute period after the third session. The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and Single Leg Stance Test (SLST) were used to assess the physical performance -based function. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was measured the spasticity degree of individuals. Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) and Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) were used to evaluate the gait and quality -of -life, respectively. Results: The mean ages of the children in CG and T+CG were 9.62 +/- 2.50 and 10.0 +/- 1.63, respectively. In immediate and acute periods, plantar flexor muscle spasticity decreased significantly in individuals with T+CG (p=0.0001). TUG and SLST scores improved significantly in the T+CG group, both in immediate and acute term (p=0.0001). In acute and immediate term, there was a statistically significant improvement for WGS in both groups (p<0.05). The quality of life of T+CG was improved in the acute period (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed the effectiveness of distortion taping in reducing the spasticity of ankle plantar flexor muscles and improving function, balance and gait. However, taping was not superior to control group.