Immediate effect of athletic taping on balance, functionality and gait in individuals with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy

Purpose: Athletic taping is a method used in many treatment protocols to restrict movement, position soft tissue, act as temporary muscles and ligaments, and create local traction. Balance, functionality, and walking are affected in individuals with diplegic cerebral palsy. This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of athletic taping on balance, functionality, and walking in diplegic cerebral palsy. Method: The study was conducted on individuals with diplegic cerebral palsy. Participants' walking, functionality, and balance assessments were obtained. Kinesiology taping was applied, and the same parameters were assessed. Athletic taping was then applied, and the assessments were obtained. The 10-Meter Walk Test was used for gait assessment, the Timed Up and Go Test for functionality assessment, and the Becure Balance Measurement System and Functional Reach Test for balance assessment. The treatments were compared with each other. Statistically significant relationships between the evaluated parameters were investigated. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 25.0 was used for data analysis. Findings: Results: The study included 40 participants (13 females + 27 males). The interventions were found to contribute to walking and functionality (p<0.05). Dynamic balance measurements revealed that the interventions contributed to dynamic balance (p<0.05). The range of motion of the center of balance decreased more with the combined kinesiology taping and athletic taping application than with the kinesiology taping application alone (p<0.05). The distance traveled by the overall center of gravity on the X-axis decreased in all three measurements (p<0.05). The wide age range, the possibility of emotional state changes in children, and the lack of computer-aided measurement of functionality and gait parameters are limitations of the study. Conclusion: Athletic taping in individuals with diplegic cerebral palsy improves walking, functionality, and balance performance. Athletic taping should be added to the treatment protocols of individuals with diplegic cerebral palsy. Keywords: Cerebral Palsy, Athletic Taping, Balance, Functionality, Walking