Immediate Effects of Ankle Tapes on Dynamic Postural Control and Kinematics in Chronic Ankle Instability

Abstract

Numerous taping methods have been used to prevent ankle sprains in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). The effects of different taping methods on dynamic postural control in patients with CAI, however, are not fully understood. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of traditional taping (TT), fibular repositioning taping (FRT), and kinesiology taping (KT) on joint angles and modified Y-balance test (YBT) performance in participants with and without CAI. METHODS: A total of 28 subjects (14 CAI: age = 24.07 ± 4.46 yr, height = 175.16 ± 5.10 cm, weight = 82.24±10.38 kg; 14 Healthy: age = 27.57 ± 3.23 yr, height = 169.61 ± 8.33 cm, weight = 76.98 ± 17.95 kg) participated in the study. Subjects performed three trials of the modified YBT before and after receiving TT, FRT, and KT. Hip, knee, and ankle joint angles in sagittal and frontal planes at the moment of maximum reach distance in the anterior (Ant), posterolateral (PL), and posteromedial (PM) directions were collected. Each reach distance was measured and a composite score (CS) was calculated. A 2-way mixed ANOVA (2 groups * 4 conditions) was performed to examine differences across treatments (baseline [BL], TT, FRT, KT). RESULTS: Significant interactions were not found. However, a significant decrease in PM reach distance was found across all tape applications for both groups (F(1.97,51.16) = 55.58, p < .05, η2 = .68). KT and FRT resulted in significant improvement in the modified YBT CS compared with TT (Healthy: KT = 92.24 ± 5.72%, p < .05, TT = 89.76 ± 5.97%; p < .05, FRT = 91.83 ± 6.53%; p < .05; CAI: KT = 90.01 ± 6.49%; p < .05, TT = 86.63 ± 6.83%; p < .05, FRT = 87.88 ± 8.39%; p < .05). The CS was also significantly increased when comparing KT to BL (Healthy: BL = 90.91 ± 7.28%; p < .01, KT = 92.24 ± 5.72%, p < .05; CAI: BL = 87.47 ± 6.62%; p < .05, KT = 90.01 ± 6.49%). Analysis of kinematic data revealed a significant increase in dorsiflexion during the PM reach when KT was applied (F(2.26,58.66) = 3.89, p < .05, η2 = .13). CONCLUSIONS: Even though PM reach distance significantly decreased after applying any of the tape conditions, only KT significantly increased DF and an improved YBT CS compared to BL. The findings suggest KT might enhance dynamic postural control more than the other tape applications. Further research is necessary to explain the mechanism for these changes after KT application.