Kinesiotaping Versus Functional Electrical Stimulation on Equinus Deformity

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

• Ages 4 to 10 years
• All sexes
• No healthy volunteers
• Child

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

About this study

Official title: Efficacy of Kinesiotaping Versus Functional Electrical Stimulation on Equinus Deformity in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Conditions

EQUINUS DEFORMITY

Being tested

KINESOTAPING, Functional Electrical Stimulation

Keywords

KINESOTAPING, FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION, EQUINUS DEFORMITY, DIAPLEGIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Medical subject headings

Equinus Deformity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

• KINESOTAPINGOther

  Kinesio Taping (KT) is commonly used in sport injuries, in neurology and oncology patients following the surgical protocols, and for paediatric rehabilitation to reduce pain, facilitate or inhibit muscle activity, prevent injuries, reposition joints, aid the lymphatic system, support postural alignment, and improve proprioception.7-9 Although its mechanism of action has not been fully understood, it is believed that activation of the cutaneous receptors could influence neuromuscular functions.10 The cutaneous sensory system provides preliminary information about limb positions and muscle forces to the central nervous system for monitoring and controlling limb movements, planning actions, and providing fluent movement.11 Common causes of unilateral spastic CP are middle cerebral artery infarct, hemi-brain atrophy, periventricular lesions, and brain malformations that disturb the integrity of the motor areas. Middle cerebral artery infarctions can particularly impair the somatosensory sy

• Functional Electrical StimulationOther

  This systematic review is the first to examine the effect of FES on activity in children with CP using only randomized trials.However, evidence was limited with only 5 trials being included. This limited evidence suggests that FES is effective, that is, it is better than no FES intervention, but that it is no more effective than activity training, that is, practicing the activity without FES will be just as effective. Furthermore, no evidence was found on whether any benefits are maintained beyond the intervention period because even though a follow-up measurement was reported for 2 studies, the authors failed to provide data. Even though the review was restricted to the highest standard of evidence, randomized trials, firm conclusions cannot be made. This is primarily because of the absence of group data (means and SD) in the papers, preventing a meta-analysis. This poor reporting is disappointing given that 3 of the 5 trials were published within the last 5 years. Therefore, we may b

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

1. 1. balance

   pediatric balance scale is clinical assessment tool designed to evaluate functional balance in children, particularly those with motor impairments such as cerebral palsy or developmental delays. It is a modified version of the Berg Balance Scale, adapted to suit the functional capabilities and developmental stages of children aged approximately 2 to 15 years.

   Measured: 3 months

2. 2. Evaluation of gait

   Kinovea is a free, open-source video analysis software widely used in clinical and research settings for the assessment of human movement, including gait analysis. It allows for detailed observation and measurement of kinematic parameters, such as joint angles, stride length, step time, and gait symmetry, through frame-by-frame video playback and annotation tools. To assess gait, videos of a subject walking are captured using a standard camera and then imported into Kinovea. The software enables users to place markers on key anatomical landmarks, which can then be tracked throughout the gait cycle

   Measured: 3 months

3. 3. Evaluation of standing

   The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is a standardized tool used to evaluate and classify the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy, focusing on self-initiated movements, particularly in sitting and walking. It consists of five levels (I to V), with Level I indicating the most independent motor function and Level V the most severe limitations. In the context of evaluating standing progress, the GMFCS provides a reliable framework to monitor changes in a child's ability to maintain or achieve standing posture over time. For example, a transition from requiring support to stand (Level IV or III) to standing independently or with minimal assistance (Level II or I) reflects significant motor improvement. The classification system is age-specific and considers developmental milestones, making it especially useful for tracking functional gains during rehabilitation or intervention programs. Its ease of use, validity, and consistency make GMFCS an essential t

   Measured: 3 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

1. First posted1 May 2025
2. Study start5 May 2025
3. Primary completion20 Jul 2025 (estimated)
4. Study completion1 Aug 2025 (estimated)

Resources

• Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
• Other trials for EQUINUS DEFORMITYStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
• What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.