Short-term Effects of Thoracic Kinesiotaping in Children with Bronchopneumonia:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Respiratory infections, particularly bronchopneumonia, pose a significant health challenge in paediatric populations, often leading to respiratory distress and compromised well-being. In the context of managing bronchopneumonia in children, exploring non-invasive interventions becomes beneficial. The application of thoracic kinesiotaping is hypothesized to positively impact lung volumes by assisting respiratory function and facilitating breathing pattern. Methodology: To determine the effectiveness of thoracic kinesiotaping on the functional capacities in children with bronchopneumonia, a group of 32 children aged 5 to 12 years were selected adhering to specific inclusion criteria. These participants were then randomly assigned to two groups. Group A underwent conventional respiratory physiotherapy exclusively while Group B participants received a combination of thoracic kinesiotaping and conventional respiratory physiotherapy. Pre-intervention assessment included baseline data, pulmonary function tests (PFT), Paediatric Dyspnea Scale (PDS) and Chest expansion. The treatment protocol spanned a period of three days. Analysis of data was done through Instat software. Conclusion: The analysis revealed a notable increase in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) and the FEV1/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) Ratio during pulmonary function testing (PFT), accompanied by a marginal improvement in chest expansion. These findings suggest a positive impact of kinesiotaping on respiratory parameters, indicating potential benefits for children with pulmonary conditions.