Application of the Kinesio® Taping Method for a Child with Hypotonia: A Pilot Case Study

Abstract

Background: This study explored the application of the Kinesio® Taping (KT®) method in conjunction with traditional occupational therapy (OT) intervention for a child with hypotonia. Specifically, differences in functional hand outcomes (manual dexterity and grasp pattern) were examined between the sessions with and without the application of the KT® method. Methods: A 9-year and 5-month-old male subject, at the time of enrollment, diagnosed with hypotonia, global developmental delay, and autism spectrum disorder participated in the study. A single-subject alternating treatment design was employed. A total of 14 OT sessions were conducted across baseline (n=3), alternating treatment (n=8), and replication (n=3) phases. During the alternating treatment phase, the subject was randomly applied the KT® method in four out of the eight OT sessions. At the end of each session, the participant was administered standardized assessments. Results: There were no statistically significant differences observed in functional hand outcomes across the baseline, alternating treatment, and replication phases. There were no statistically significant differences observed in manual dexterity and grasp pattern between the sessions with and without the application of the KT® method. Discussion: The results from the study replicated the mixed outcomes reported in the efficacy of the KT® method in addressing functional hand outcomes; OT practitioners are recommended to consider the KT® method as an auxiliary intervention modality. Future research involving the KT® method can consider ways to better control for the confounding variables noted in the current study including the novelty effect, subject’s comorbid conditions, and number and length of sessions allotted across the baseline, alternating treatment, and replication phases.