PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of taping therapy on the range of motion and pain of shoulders, physical functions and depression among hospitalized patients with stroke a geriatric hospital. METHODS The study design was a none equivalent control group pre-post test quasi-experimental design. The participants were 25 patients for experimental group and 25 patients for the control group. The period of this study was from March to July 2010. The twenty minute taping therapy was performed for twice a week for eight weeks. RESULTS The results showed that taping therapy was effective in range of motion shoulders (flexion: t=-5.81, p=.001, abduction: t=-3.69, p=.001) and pain of shoulders (rest: t=3.18, p=.003, movement: t=2.97, p=.005), grip (t=-3.22, p=.002) and balance (t=3.20, p=.002), and depression (t=3.24, p=.002). The variable of ADL (t=-1.99, p=.052) was not significant. CONCLUSION The results of the taping therapy increased range of motion shoulders and grip and balance of physical functions, and decreased pain in shoulders and depression. The findings support that taping therapy can be used as a nursing intervention for stroke patients in practical nursing and communities.
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