Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the common movement disorder in children associated with life-long disability and multiple impairments. Their clinical manifestations vary among children and have a broad spectrum. Numerous physical therapy techniques are currently used for treatment as kinesio taping (KT) and electrical stimulation (ES) program training for anterior tibial group muscles.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the outcomes of using those techniques on balance in cerebral palsy children.

Methods: Sixty spastic CP children, their age ranged from four to six years were randomized and split equally between the diplegic CP group (15 received KT; eight boys, seven girls with mean±standard deviation 4.9±0.60 years and 15 received ES; six boys, nine girls with mean± standard deviation 4.92±0.78 years), and hemiparetic CP group (15 received KT; eight boys, seven girls with mean±standard deviation 4.83±0.49 years and 15 received ES; six boys, nine girls with mean age 4.49±0.37 years).Participants were evaluated with the Biodex system before and after six months of treatment.

Results: Significant improvement was observed in the measured variables of the two groups when comparing their pre and post treatment mean values, significant improvement in comparing post treatment results in favor of KT in diplegic children and in favor of ES in hemiparetic children. Conclusion: Kinesio taping and electrical stimulation can be useful options to promote balance of children with CP with more pronounced effect of KT in diplegic type and ES in hemiparetic type.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Kinesio taping, Electrical stimulation, Balance