Child with cerebral palsy receives Kinesio Taping during physical therapy.

Kinesio Taping for Kids with Cerebral Palsy: Does It Really Work?

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking Potential: Exploring the Immediate Impact of Kinesio Taping on Knee Strength in Children with Cerebral Palsy"

Cerebral Palsy (CP) often brings muscle weakness, stemming from disrupted signals between the brain and muscles. This can lead to decreased motor unit firing and co-contraction of muscles, making movement challenging. But there's hope! Researchers are exploring ways to stimulate sensory pathways and improve muscle function in children with CP.

One promising technique is Kinesio Taping (KT), where specialized tape is applied to the skin. The idea is that KT provides extra sensory input, potentially boosting muscle activation and strength. While KT is commonly used, solid evidence supporting its effectiveness for CP has been limited.

A recent study aimed to change that, diving into the effects of KT on knee extensor torque – essentially, the power of the muscles that straighten the knee – in children with CP. This article breaks down the study's findings, revealing how KT might offer a simple yet effective way to support muscle strength in young individuals with CP.

How Kinesio Taping Can Boost Muscle Strength in Children with Cerebral Palsy?

Child with cerebral palsy receives Kinesio Taping during physical therapy.

The study focused on three children diagnosed with spastic CP, each classified at different levels (I, II, and III) according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Researchers used isokinetic evaluation to measure knee extensor peak torque – the maximum force the knee extensor muscles can generate. This measurement was taken both with and without KT applied to the rectus femoris muscle, a key player in knee extension.

Here's how the Kinesio Taping was applied:

Preparation: Porous, adhesive Y-shaped bandage (Kinesio Tex Gold) was used.
Positioning: Children were seated with hip and knee flexed at 30° and 60°, respectively.
Application: The base of the tape was anchored at the anterior iliac spine (hip bone) without stretch. The tape was then applied along the rectus femoris muscle with 100% tension up to the upper edge of the patella (kneecap). The tape was then split into two sections, encircling the patella and ending on the tibial tuberosity (bump below the kneecap) without tension.

The results were encouraging! After KT application, the knee extensor peak torque in the affected limbs increased in all three children. The child with GMFCS level I showed an 8.4% improvement, while the children with GMFCS level II showed improvements of 9.3% and 12.2% in their right and left limbs, respectively. The child with GMFCS level III showed the most significant gains, with improvements of 52.4% and 28.6% in the right and left limbs, respectively.

The Potential of Kinesio Taping: What Does It Mean for Your Child?

This study offers a glimpse of hope for children with CP and their families. While more research is needed with larger groups and control comparisons, the findings suggest that KT can be a valuable tool for boosting muscle strength, particularly in those with more pronounced weakness. By providing additional sensory input, KT may help activate muscles more effectively, leading to improved function and quality of life. Talk with your child's physical therapist or healthcare provider to see if Kinesio Taping is a suitable option to incorporate into their rehabilitation program.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3233/nre-161921, Alternate LINK

Title: Immediate Effect Of Kinesio Taping On Knee Extensor Torque Of Children With Cerebral Palsy: Three Case Reports

Subject: Neurology (clinical)

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation

Publisher: IOS Press

Authors: Adriana Neves Dos Santos, Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira Rocha

Published: 2019-01-02

Everything You Need To Know

What is Kinesio Taping and how might it help children with Cerebral Palsy?

Kinesio Taping, or KT, is a technique that involves applying specialized tape, such as Kinesio Tex Gold, to the skin to provide extra sensory input. The idea is that this additional input can potentially boost muscle activation and strength. In the context of Cerebral Palsy, where muscle weakness stems from disrupted signals between the brain and muscles, KT may help activate muscles more effectively. The application involves specific positioning and tension to target muscles like the rectus femoris, with the goal of improving motor function.

What is 'knee extensor peak torque,' and how was it measured to assess the impact of Kinesio Taping?

The study measured knee extensor peak torque, which represents the maximum force the knee extensor muscles can generate. Researchers used isokinetic evaluation to quantify this torque both with and without Kinesio Taping applied to the rectus femoris muscle. Improvements in this measurement indicate that KT can enhance the power of the muscles that straighten the knee, which is particularly relevant for individuals with Cerebral Palsy who experience muscle weakness and challenges with movement. It is a direct way to quantify the impact of the taping on muscle strength.

What is the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and how was it used in the Kinesio Taping study?

The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is a standardized system used to classify the motor abilities of children with Cerebral Palsy. It has levels from I to V, with Level I indicating the least severe motor impairment and Level V indicating the most severe. In the study, children classified at different GMFCS levels (I, II, and III) were included to assess how Kinesio Taping impacts individuals with varying degrees of motor function. The study indicated that children with GMFCS level III may see more significant gains.

Why is the rectus femoris muscle important in the context of Kinesio Taping and Cerebral Palsy?

The rectus femoris muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles located on the front of the thigh. It is a key player in knee extension, which is the straightening of the knee joint, and also contributes to hip flexion. In the Kinesio Taping application described, the tape is applied along the rectus femoris muscle, starting from the anterior iliac spine (hip bone) and extending to the tibial tuberosity (bump below the kneecap). By targeting this muscle with KT, the goal is to enhance its activation and strength, ultimately improving knee extension capabilities for children with Cerebral Palsy. However, this does not work on all the muscles and further investigation is needed.

What are the limitations of the Kinesio Taping study, and what further research is needed?

While the study showed promising results with increased knee extensor peak torque after Kinesio Taping application, it's important to note that it involved a small sample size of only three children. Larger studies with control groups are needed to confirm these findings and determine the long-term effectiveness of KT for children with Cerebral Palsy. Furthermore, the study focused solely on knee extensor torque, and future research should explore the impact of KT on other muscle groups and functional activities, as well as to confirm the long-term impact of the treatment.