Short-term effects of kinesiotaping on fine motor function in children with cerebral palsy—a quasi-experimental study

Background: Deficient fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy (CP) limit participation in daily activities. Objective: Evaluate short-term (3 days) effects of kinesiotaping on fine motor function (Peabody Developmental Motor Scale [PDMS-2]) and active wrist extension range of motion (ROM) in children with CP. Method: Kinesio Tex tape was applied on wrist extensors (lateral epicondyle of humerus to dorsal aspect of metacarpal head) for 3 days on 15 children with CP (male = 60%, n = 9; female = 40%, n = 6) aged 3 to 6 years. Pre and post-outcome measures for fine motor function (PDMS-2) and active wrist extension ROM were recorded. Results: Significant changes (p = 0.024) were found in PDMS-2 fine motor scale quotient scores (pre-tape application [60.92 ± 11.49]; third day pre-tape removal [71.84 ± 16.52] and post-tape removal [72.19 ± 16.22]). AROM of wrist extension changed from pre-tape application (51.90 ± 9.12) to third day pre-tape removal and post-tape removal (55.04 ± 9.60); however, these were not significant (p = 0.641). Conclusion: Kinesio Tex tape may improve fine motor skills in children with CP, and as an adjunct to treatment, may assist in achieving goal-oriented functional activities.