Kinesio Taping Effectiveness on Idiopathic Toe Walking

Mayo Clinic

Status and phase

Completed

Early Phase 1

Conditions

Idiopathic Toe Walking

Treatments

Device: Kinesio Tape of the Ankle

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT02025582

13-003848

Details and patient eligibility

About

Idiopathic Toe Walking (ITW) is a diagnosis normally of exclusion and likely, consequently, is approached in vastly varying ways of intervention, including serial casting, Botox injections and physical therapy. There is some evidence in the literature that children with ITW can somewhat correct their lack of heel-strike gait pattern at least temporarily. Kinesio Taping (KT) method is an intervention that is used in the outpatient physical therapy setting for various conditions such as post-operative edema, muscle facilitation of weakened rotator cuff muscles, and functional corrections in children with torticollis. This pilot study will strive to determine if KT may be effective by providing proprioceptive and neuromuscular re-education through thermal and mechanical fascial impositions, thereby improving passive joint range of motion (ROM) through reduction of passive muscle stiffness and improving ambulation through neuromuscular re-education in children with idiopathic toe walking. We will quantify passive muscle stiffness of the gastrocnemius and opposing anterior tibialis using non-invasive Shear Wave Elastography (SWE). Further we look at the kinematics and kinetics of the child's ankle during the gait cycle to further determine any effect(s) of KT on functional walking outcome measures. The intent is that the results from this study will serve as a platform from which to expound look at the long-term, if any, effects of KT on the muscle property and gait cycle pattern in children with ITW.

Enrollment

10 patients

Sex

All

Ages

3 to 10 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Females and males
3-10 years of age
who independently ambulate
have a diagnosis of idiopathic toe walking

Exclusion criteria

Children will be excluded if they have a diagnosis of or suspected neuromuscular disorder
had prior treatment for ITW including bracing or including splinting in the last six months, chemodenervation, serial casting in the last six months, surgical intervention
diagnosis of Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder
history of allergic reactions to tape/adhesives.