The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Pulmonary Function and Functional Capacity in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Forced vital capacity [FVC] (L) was measured with a lung spirometry. This shows the amount of air that the patient can forcefully exhale. The patient sitting on a chair used a nose clips during the test. The patient was asked to take a deep breath from a mouthpiece and then was asked a full forced exhalation for at least 6 seconds. 3 repetitions were performed for each test and best score was accepted.

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] (L) was measured with a lung spirometry as it was described for FVC measurement. It shows the amount of air that the patient can forcefully exhale in one second of the FVC test.

FEV1/FVC (%) ratio is a very important parameter to determine whether the type of lung disease is obstructive or restrictive.

Peak expiratory flow [PEF] (L/sec) was measured with a lung spirometry as it was described for FVC and FEV1 measurements.

Forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC [FEF25-75] (L/sec) was measured with a lung spirometry as it was described for FVC, FEV1 and PEF measurements.

Maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] (cmH2O) was recorded by using a portable mouth pressure meter as a measure of the inspiratory muscle strength. The patient sat upright and took a deep breath from functional residual capacity through a mouthpiece. 5 repetitions repetitions were performed for the test.

Maximal expiratory pressures [MEP] (cmH2O) was recorded by using a portable mouth pressure meter as a measure of the expiratory muscle strength. The patient performed a forced expiration from total lung capacity. 5 repetitions repetitions were performed for the test.

Functional capacity was determined with Six-minute walk test [6MWT] (m). 6MWT is a submaximal exercise test. For the test we used a 30-m corridor and measured the distance walked by the patient in 6 minutes. We instructed the patient to walk as far as possible. Higher distance indicate better functional capacity.

Short Form-36 [SF-36] (0-100) was performed to assess generic quality of life (QOL) SF-36 consists of 36 items and 8 subscales. These subscales are physical functioning, role functioning physical, bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, social functioning, role functioning emotional, and mental health and they range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better quality of life.

Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire [MLHFQ] (0-105) was performed to assess disease-specific QOL.

MLHFQ consists of 21 items with a total score of 105. Item-level scores of MLHFQ range from 0-5. 8 questions are related to physical domain and 5 questions are related to emotional domains. Total score was calculated by summing all scores. Lower scores indicate better quality of life.

Measured with Beck Depression Inventory. This is a 21-item scale and each question has four possible answers with a score of 0 to 3, and a total score of 0 to 63. A score of 10 or above indicates depression.

Handgrip strength (kg) was measured by using a hand dynamometer. Patient held the dynamometer in the hand which would be tested. Then the patient squeezed the device with maximum effort in standing position. Then the subject performed this test with the other hand. 3 repetitions were performed for both hands.

Functional mobility was measured with Timed up and go test [TUGT] (sec). The patient sitting on chair stood up with the instruction of physiotherapist and walked 3 meters as fast as possible, walked back to the chair and sat down again. The total duration was recorded in seconds. Lower time reflects better functional mobility. TUGT was performed with 3 repetitions.

Sit to Stand Test [STS test] (repetitions in 30 seconds) was also used to measure functional mobility. Patient sitting on a 48 cm height armless chair folded their arms across their chests. They stood up completely and then sat down with full contact for a period of 30 seconds. Standing up and sitting down on the chair is one cycle. We calculated the total cycle the patient performed in 30 seconds. Higher score indicates better functional mobility.