Background: A relatively new treatment method for COPD is Kinesio taping , we speculated that if KT were applied to thorax and abdominal, it could have beneficial effects to restore respiratory muscle function.
Method: Single-blinded randomized experimental trial. The study was conducted with 12 male patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COPD, divided into 2 experimental groups 6 in each.
group A received expiratory muscle Kinesio taping (abdominal muscle) plus breathing exercise (pursed lip and diaphragmatic breathing), and group B received Inspiratory muscle taping (diaphragm, scalenes, external intercostal muscle) plus Breathing exercise (pursed lip and diaphragmatic breathing ). deep breathing exercises were individually provided to patients (2 times per day for 14 days). Assessment modalities was done before and after intervention to measure outcomes. primary outcomes (Sao2 and dyspnea scale) and secondary outcomes (chest expansion and 6MWT)
Result After intervention the Mean value of SaO2 in group B increased by 1.1 %, while in group A increased by 0.5%. The mean value of upper chest expansion in group B increased by 3.2 cm, while in group A increased by 0.83cm. The mean value of lower chest expansion in group B increased by 0.5 cm, while in group A increased by 0.84 cm. The Mean value of 6MWT in group B increased by 28.7m, while in group A increased by 27.6 m.
Conclusion: The results indicated that taping applied to inspiratory and Expiratory muscles lead to improvement in muscle performance evident by slight improvement in primary and
secondary outcomes in 2groups