Kinesiology Taping in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Effects on Performance, Gait Characteristics, and Energy Consumption

Six Minute Walk Test was used commonly in DMD were found to be valid, reliable and easy to apply in the clinic. Children were asked to walk during 6 minutes as fast as they can at a corridor specified by two cones and walking distances were recorded as meter (m) for 6MWT. The time passed during timed performance tests were recorded as seconds.

Physiologic Consumption Index (PCI) was used to evaluate energy consumption of children during 6MWT. energy consumption was calculated by using the formula of PCI (walking heart rate)-(resting heart rate)/(walking speed)

Gait analysis of the children was performed by footprint method on 10-meters powdered floor. First and last 2 meters of this floor were dissociated from the assessment, and both the right and left stride lengths, both right and left foot angles, and stride width were analyzed in the middle 6-meter section.. Stride length was measured by measuring the distance between right and left midpoint heels. Double stride length was sum of right and left stride length. Stride width was measured by horizontal distance between heel midpoints. Foot angles were measured by a goniometer considering the line between the first and second metatarsal heads and the heel midpoints of both feet separately 24. The number of steps during 6MWT was also calculated by pedometer (Omron, Walking style One 2.0 HJ-320-E) and recorded.

Ascending-descending standard 4 steps, walking 10m, standing from lying position were used in order to assess the performance of children.The time passed during timed performance tests were recorded as seconds.