Effectiveness of Arch Support Taping is Subjects With Excessive Foot Pronation: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: An excessive pronated is defined as a flattening or complete loss of the medial longitudinal arch. Excessive is considered to have high risk factors of overuse injuries in the lower limb. Various treatments have been investigated in attempts to control excessive pronation.Objects: This meta-analysis identifies the effects of an anti-pronation technique using different materials.Methods: The electronic databases used include MEDLINE, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Science Direct, the Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), the Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), the Korea National Library, and the Korean Medical Database (studies published up to July 31, 2019). The database search used the following keywords: foot drop OR foot OR foot pronation OR flat (pes planus) AND taping OR support. Eight eligible studies were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of anti-pronation in study and control groups.Results: The overall random effect size (Hedges’ g) of the anti-pronation technique was 0.147 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -.214 to .509). When the effect (Hedges’ g) was compared by the type of tape material, rigid tape (RT; Lowdye taping) was .213 (95% CI: -.278 to .704) and kinesiotape (KT; arch support taping) was -.014 (95% CI: -.270 to .242). Based on this meta-analysis, it was not possible to identify the extent to which anti-pronation was effective in preventing navicular drop, improving balance, or changing pressure. Only three of the eight eligible studies applied KT on excessive pronated feet, and the outcome measure areas were different to those of the RT studies. The KT studies used EMG data, overall posture index (FPI) scores, and rear FPI scores. In contrast, the RT studies measured navicular heights, various angles, and pressure.Conclusion: This review could not find any conclusive evidence about the effectiveness of any method for patients with pronated feet. Future studies are needed to develop the anti-pronation technique based on the clinical scientific evidence.