The Immediate Effects of Posterior Pelvic Tilt with Taping on Pelvic Inclination, Gait Function and Balance in Chronic Stroke Patients*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the immediate effect of posterior pelvic tilt taping on anterior pelvic inclination, gait function, and balance in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Fourteen chronic stroke subjects were enrolled in this study. Subjects who consented to participate in this cross-over experiment were assigned three interventions: posterior pelvic tilt taping, placebo taping, and no taping, in random order. After tape application, subjects were asked to complete: 1) Anterior pelvic tilt measurement, 2) 10-Meter Walk test, and 3) Limits of stability (LOS) test. To eliminate the learning effect of the tape after tearing off the tape, a 10 minute break was given between posterior pelvic tilt taping intervention and placebo taping intervention. RESULTS: Significant decreases were observed for the anterior pelvic inclination on both sides after posterior pelvic tilt taping application compared with placebo taping and no taping application (p .05). CONCLUSION: Posterior pelvic tilt taping in chronic stroke patients decreases the inappropriate anterior pelvic inclination immediately and improves gait function, but it has little effect on balance.