Effect of Kinesiology Taping and Swallowing Exercises on Suprahyoid Muscle Thickness and Swallowing Function in Stroke Patients With Dysphagia

Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Dysphagia; Stroke; Cerebrovascular Disorders

Treatments: Other: Kinesiology Taping with Exercise; Other: Placebo Taping with Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06988215

2025/26 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled single-blind study aims to investigate the effect of kinesiology taping combined with resistance exercises on suprahyoid muscle thickness and swallowing function in patients with stroke-related dysphagia. A total of 36 participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving real kinesiology taping and a control group receiving placebo taping, both combined with standardized swallowing exercises for 6 weeks. Outcome measures include ultrasonographic evaluation of oropharyngeal muscles (geniohyoid, mylohyoid, anterior digastric, and tongue muscles), swallowing function assessed by the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test, EAT-10, T-SWAL-QOL, Dysphagia Handicap Index, FOIS, and Functional Ambulation Level. This study will contribute to determining effective rehabilitation methods for improving safe swallowing in post-stroke patients.

Full description

Dysphagia is a common complication following stroke, associated with serious consequences such as dehydration, malnutrition, and aspiration pneumonia. These complications can prolong hospital stays, impair physical function, and reduce the overall quality of life. The suprahyoid muscle group, which plays a crucial role in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, is often affected post-stroke. Weakness in these muscles can lead to impaired hyolaryngeal excursion, resulting in incomplete upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening, residue in the valleculae and piriform sinuses, and increased risk of aspiration and penetration.

The suprahyoid muscles (geniohyoid, mylohyoid, anterior belly of digastric, and stylohyoid) are essential for the anterior-superior movement of the hyolaryngeal complex during swallowing. Rehabilitation targeting this muscle group is clinically important to restore safe and effective swallowing function.

Kinesiology taping (KT) is a non-invasive method widely used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. KT is believed to support joint alignment, enhance muscle function, and provide mechanical feedback through skin tension. In recent studies, KT has shown promise in enhancing the effects of rehabilitation in conditions such as ankle instability, adhesive capsulitis, and hallux valgus. KT has also been proposed as a novel therapeutic option in the management of neurogenic dysphagia by providing resistance to the hyolaryngeal complex, thereby increasing muscle engagement during swallowing exercises.

This single-blind randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of resistance exercises combined with kinesiology taping on the suprahyoid muscle group in patients with stroke. A total of 36 patients will be randomly assigned into two equal groups: the control group (receiving placebo kinesiology taping plus standard exercises) and the intervention group (receiving real kinesiology taping plus standard exercises).

Ultrasonographic assessment of the suprahyoid muscles (geniohyoid, mylohyoid, anterior digastric, and tongue muscles) will be conducted at baseline and after 6 weeks. Swallowing function will be evaluated using the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (VVST), the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), Turkish version of the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (T-SWAL-QOL), the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and the Functional Ambulation Measure (FIM).

Kinesiology tape will be applied in three directions: from the hyoid bone to the clavicle, to the sternum, and horizontally across the hyoid. Participants in both groups will perform effortful swallow and oromotor exercises daily (50 swallows per day, divided into 5 sets of 10 repetitions) for 6 weeks. Tape will be renewed every 3 days.

This study will help determine whether kinesiology taping can enhance the outcomes of dysphagia rehabilitation in post-stroke patients, potentially offering a low-cost and non-invasive adjunctive treatment to traditional therapy.

Enrollment: 36 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged between 50 and 80 years
• Diagnosed with stroke
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score greater than 22
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Open wounds or unresolved skin problems in the neck area
• Known allergy to kinesiology tape or its components
• Medically unstable conditions
• Primary esophageal disorders (e.g., achalasia, upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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36 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Kinesiology Taping Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive real kinesiology taping applied to the suprahyoid region along with standardized effortful swallowing and oromotor exercises. The taping will be applied in three directions (hyoid to clavicle, hyoid to sternum, and horizontal to hyoid) and renewed every three days over a 6-week period. Exercises will be performed daily, 5 sets of 10 swallows (50 total repetitions).

Treatment:

Other: Kinesiology Taping with Exercise

Placebo Taping Group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive placebo kinesiology taping that mimics the appearance of therapeutic taping, without applying actual tension. The same standardized swallowing and oromotor exercises will be provided daily for 6 weeks, identical to the experimental group.

Treatment:

Other: Placebo Taping with Exercise