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

NCT07255352 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HRÜ/24.14.41
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 43
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Stroke; Dysphagia; Swallowing Disorder

Keywords

Kinesio Taping; Suprahyoid Muscles; Hyolaryngeal Elevation; Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Hyolaryngeal Kinematic Displacement (Hyoid and Laryngeal Displacement)

  Hyolaryngeal kinematic displacement will be assessed from videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) recordings using MATLAB-based STAMPS software. Anatomical landmarks (C2, C4, the subglottic air column, and the hyoid bone) will be digitized frame-by-frame to calculate hyoid and laryngeal displacement in the superior, anterior, and total (resultant) directions, yielding six kinematic parameters. Total displacement will be calculated as the square root of the sum of the squared anterior and superior displacement components. Spatial calibration will be performed using a 20 mm reference object placed on the mastoid process. Differences in these parameters between taped and non-taped swallowing trials will be analyzed to assess the acute effect of suprahyoid Kinesio taping on hyolaryngeal movement.

  Immediately before and immediately after Kinesio taping application.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Swallowing Safety (Penetration-Aspiration Scale Score)

  Immediately before and immediately after Kinesio taping application.

Study Arms (1)

Kinesio Taping Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Kinesio Taping

Interventions

Kinesio Taping OTHER

Kinesio tape will be applied over the suprahyoid region to facilitate muscle activation.

Kinesio Taping Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of stroke
• Age over 18 years
• Presence of swallowing disorder symptoms
• Willingness to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of neurological diseases other than stroke
• Presence of tracheostomy
• Open wounds on the skin in the submental region

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Harran University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Harran University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Sanliurfa, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke; Deglutition Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Esophageal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; Pharyngeal Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof. Dr.

Model Details: Single group pre-test and post-test design. All participants receive Kinesio taping applied to the suprahyoid region, and swallowing parameters are evaluated before and after intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 20, 2025
• First Posted: December 1, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 12, 2025
• Study Completion: December 12, 2025
• Last Updated: September 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)