The Effects of Kinesiology Taping Combined With Swallowing Exercises on Oropharyngeal Muscle Thickness and Swallowing Function in Dysphagia Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients: An Ultrasonographic Assessment in a Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled single-blind study aims to investigate the effect of kinesiology taping combined with resistance exercises on suprahyoid muscle thickness and swallowing function in patients with stroke-related dysphagia. A total of 36 participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving real kinesiology taping and a control group receiving placebo taping, both combined with standardized swallowing exercises for 6 weeks. Outcome measures include ultrasonographic evaluation of oropharyngeal muscles (geniohyoid, mylohyoid, anterior digastric, and tongue muscles), swallowing function assessed by the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test, EAT-10, T-SWAL-QOL, Dysphagia Handicap Index, FOIS, and Functional Ambulation Level. This study will contribute to determining effective rehabilitation methods for improving safe swallowing in post-stroke patients.
• Patients aged between 50 and 80 years
• Diagnosed with stroke
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score greater than 22
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent