Effect of Kinesiotape versus Resistive Exercise on Dorsiflexors Functional Performance in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathies are a het-erogeneous group of disorders caused by neuronal dysfunction in patients with diabetes. DPNs cause different pathological changes in sensory, Motor and Function levels in Diabetic patients. Aim of Study: Was to investigate the effect of Kinesio tape and resistive exercise on dorsiflexors' functional perform-ance in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy and compare between them. Subjects and Methods: Forty Type II diabetic patients-controlled-diagnosed by Physician and confirmed by Labora-tory investigations (HbA1c, FBG) with Mild DPNs, their ages from 50-60 years old were assigned to two equal Groups (Group A) was treated with resistive exercise for eight weeks, three times per week. And (Group B) who were treated with KinesioTM tape that was applied to dorsiflexors 24 hours a day and was replaced every 5 days for 8 weeks. For evaluation of the muscle strength Hand held Dynamometer were used (Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester, Model #01163), while the functional performance was evaluated using the 6 minutes walking test. Results: In Group A the mean value of muscle strength of the right dorsiflexors improved from (295.4±84.7) to (334.5 ±104.0) with the mean difference (39.2±63.2) which is a significant difference. The mean value of muscle strength of the left side improved from (296.2±115.2) to (310.8±111.1) with the mean difference (14.7±68.8) which is not a significant difference. The mean value of functional performance im-proved from (345.6±62.8) to (376.4±70.9) with the mean difference (30.7±31.8) which is a significant difference. In Group (B) the mean value of muscle strength of the right side improved from (296.1±66.8) to (385.5±102.5) with the mean difference (89.4±78.0) which is a significant difference, the mean value of muscle strength of the left side improved from (293.5±72.8) to (385.5±102.5) with the mean difference (89.4±78.0) which is a significant difference and the mean value of functional performance improved from (344.1±73.2) to (388.4±84.7) with the mean difference (44.3±38.8) which is a significant difference. In Conclusion: Both KinesioTM tape and resistive exercise improve the dorsiflexors and functional performance without significant difference between them on Dorsiflexors' strength and patients functional performance in diabetic polyneuropathy.