Effect of Kinesio Taping Applied to the Suprahyoid Muscles on Swallowing Safety in Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia

Sponsor
Harran University
Study ID
NCT07255352
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Dysphagia
  • Stroke
  • Swallowing Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Kinesio Taping — OTHER
    Kinesio tape will be applied over the suprahyoid region to facilitate muscle activation.

Study Details

Dysphagia is defined as a disorder that occurs during the process of food transfer, beginning with oral intake and continuing until it reaches the stomach. The incidence of post-stroke dysphagia has been reported to range between 42% and 75%. Dysphagia can lead to aspiration pneumonia due to food entering the lungs, as well as malnutrition, dehydration, and even death. In patients with inadequate swallowing safety and efficiency, compensatory maneuvers such as chin tuck, head flexion, supraglottic swallowing, and the Mendelsohn maneuver are commonly used. These maneuvers aim to maintain oral intake by narrowing the laryngeal vestibule or increasing hyolaryngeal elevation. They are evaluated during videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and recommended to patients if they are found to prevent aspiration or penetration. Kinesio taping (KT) has been reported to stimulate cutaneous receptors, increase sensory input, and facilitate neural reflexes, thereby promoting the activation of a greater number of motor units during maximal muscle contraction. In recent years, it has also begun to be used in the field of dysphagia rehabilitation. Studies conducted in stroke patients have shown that KT applied to the infrahyoid muscles provides resistance to the suprahyoid muscles and enhances their strength. A kinematic analysis study in stroke patients reported that KT applied to include the suprahyoid muscles increased vertical hyoid movement, although it did not result in a significant improvement in swallowing safety. The study, however, did not specify the detailed taping method used. Since the suprahyoid muscles are primarily responsible for hyolaryngeal elevation, KT focusing on this region has the potential to serve as a compensatory maneuver in dysphagia management.

Key Dates

First listed
Dec 1, 2025
Start date
Apr 1, 2025
Status verified
Nov 2025
Primary completion
Apr 1, 2026
Completion
Oct 1, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
25 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Kinesio Taping Group
    Participants with post-stroke dysphagia will receive Kinesio Taping applied to the suprahyoid muscle region. Swallowing safety and kinematic parameters will be evaluated before and after the intervention.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Swallowing Safety (Penetration-Aspiration Scale Score) [ Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after Kinesio taping application. ]

Central Contacts

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