Abstract
Gait deficits are among the leading impairments in persons with stroke. The purpose of this case report is to describe and demonstrate the use of Kinesio® tape as an intervention for the treatment of foot drop in a patient with sub-acute stroke. The case patient presented with right hemiparesis and impaired functional ambulation, specifically limited by a right foot drop. The patient's intervention consisted of four weeks of conventional physical therapy, focusing on lower extremity strengthening, balance training, and gait training, combined with the application of Kinesio® tape over the right ankle using the spring-assist technique. The results of the case report revealed improvements in both functional gait measures and in ankle dorsiflexor strength, specifically increasing from 1/5 to 2-/5 strength. Improvements in functional mobility were observed with a decrease in the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) score by 10.5 seconds as well as a 2-point increase in the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). The results of the case report support the use of Kinesio® tape as an adjunct intervention for the treatment of foot drop in sub-acute stroke patients with hemiparesis. Further research should investigate the amount of influence the Kinesio® tape had towards progress as compared to the conventional physical therapy intervention.