The Effect of Prolonged Use of Ankle Kinesio Taping on Dynamic Balance and Functional Performance Tests in People with Chronic Ankle Instabilit

Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries during sports and physical activities. After sprain, many develop a condition known as chronic ankle instability (CAI). Kinesio Tape (KT) have been used at the ankle joint for decrease deficits in people with CAI. The prolonged use of KT is common among clinicians, but the evidence of KT wear for a prolonged period is lacking regarding changes in balance and functional performance in individuals with CAI. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the prolonged use of KT on postural control and functional performance tests in individuals with CAI, across three time points and versus a sham treatment. Twenty individuals with CAI (Age: 23.4 +/- 3.1 years old, height: 169.3 +/- 8.3 cm weight: 71.7 +/- 12.0 kg, the involved CAIT: 19.3 +/- 3.5, and the uninvolved CAIT: 24.3 +/- 5.3) were randomly assigned to a KT group (n= 10) or PST (n= 10) group. CAI was defined as a history of lateral ankle sprain and a score of ≤ 24 on the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). The KT group received the application of KT and the PST group received the application of sham tape using cover-roll. All participants performed three directions of Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), single leg standing balance (SLSB) on a force platform, side hop test, figure-of-8 hop test and a double-limb jumping to single-limb landing task on a force platform. The tests were performed at three intervals which included the time of prior to intervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), and three days after of the intervention (T3). There were no significant differences in outcome measures for either taping intervention. The prolonged use of KT on the ankle joint did not improve static or dynamic postural control of static and dynamic postural control and functional performances in people with CAI.