Augmented Low-dye Taping Research Articles

Acute effects of athletic taping on arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot

ObjectiveThis work aimed to explore the acute effects of athletic taping techniques on foot arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot (FFT). MethodsTwenty young female adults with FFT were recruited in the current study. Each participant was randomly divided into two taping groups, namely, augmented low-dye (ALD) and modified low-dye (MLD). The foot arch deformity and plantar pressure were measured at baseline, after taping and after 20 min of walking. The foot arch deformity was determined based on navicular drop distance (NDD) and resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP). ResultsCompared with baseline, the NDD values were significantly lower after taping. After 20 min of walking, ALD taping resulted in a lower NDD value than MLD (p < 0.001). ALD maintained a higher RCSP than baseline after 20 min of walking (p = 0.004). Furthermore, compared with baseline, medial midfoot force–time integration (p = 0.013) and contact area (p = 0.022) increased after taping with MLD, and peak pressure in the medial midfoot increased after walking for 20 min with MLD (p = 0.026). Peak pressure in the second to fifth toes significantly decreased after 20 min of walking with ALD compared with that after taping immediately (p = 0.002). ConclusionsALD and MLD taping could improve FFT arch deformity and plantar pressure distribution, prospectively changing peak pressure of the second to fifth toe area and medial midfoot after 20 min of walking, integrated contact area and force–time integration medial midfoot during walking in young female adults. Furthermore, ALD taping could improve FFT deformity more than using MLD after 20 min of walking. Thus, when treating FFT in young female adults, ALD taping should be considered adaptively to guide arch support production and correct midfoot pronation.

Immediate Effects of a Heel-Pain Orthosis and an Augmented Low-Dye Taping on Plantar Pressures and Pain in Subjects With Plantar Fasciitis

To determine the effects of augmented low-dye (ALD) taping and a heel-pain orthosis (HPO) on pain, peak plantar pressure (PPP), and mean plantar pressure (MPP) while walking and jogging. Cross-over study design. University clinical laboratory. Seventeen physically active or sedentary individuals with plantar fasciitis. Both PPP and MPP were evaluated after 45 seconds of walking and jogging during the 3 interventions (control, ALD, HPO) under 4 areas of the foot: lateral rearfoot and forefoot, and medial rearfoot and forefoot. Pain was assessed during each intervention (at 60-second mark) using the visual analog scale (VAS). Peak plantar pressure, MPP, and VAS. The ALD produced a decrease in walking MPP (44.66 ± 14.46) under the lateral rearfoot compared with the control (57.92 ± 22.18; P = 0.024) and in jogging MPP (55.05 ± 18.27) compared with the control (67.22 ± 20.95; P = 0.002) and HPO (68.51 ± 17.57; P = 0.002). Scores of VAS decreased with the application of HPO (7.12 ± 10.08; P < 0.002 and 12.15 ± 15.61; P < 0.003) and ALD (6.24 ± 5.71; P < 0.006 and 10.09 ± 8.87; P < 0.001) while walking and jogging when compared with the control (17.32 ± 17.86 and 26.65 ± 22.38). Although the HPO and ALD produced statistically and clinically decreased VAS scores while walking and jogging, further research is needed beyond these preliminary findings to determine long-term outcomes related to pain relief.

A comparison of augmented low-Dye taping and ankle bracing on lower limb muscle activity during walking in adults with flat-arched foot posture

Objective: To compare the effect of taping and bracing on lower limb muscle activity during gait. Design: Cross-sectional laboratory study. Methods: Twenty-seven asymptomatic adults with flat-arched foot posture were recruited to this study. They walked over-ground under three randomly allocated conditions: (i) barefoot; (ii) augmented low-Dye taping; (iii) replaceable ankle brace. Electromyographic (EMG) activity from tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and medial gastrocnemius was measured for each condition. Peak EMG amplitude and time of peak EMG amplitude were assessed from stance phase data. A series of one-way repeated measure analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests were undertaken ( α = 0.05). Results: Tibialis posterior peak EMG amplitude decreased by 22% and 33% with bracing and taping (respectively), compared to barefoot. Peak amplitude was also decreased for peroneus longus by 34% and 30% and for tibialis anterior by 19% and 13% with bracing and taping (respectively), compared to barefoot. Small significant changes in time of peak EMG amplitude were found for tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior with taping and bracing compared to barefoot. The effect of taping and bracing was only different for tibialis posterior peak EMG amplitude, with tape producing a 15% reduction compared to bracing. Conclusion: The augmented low-Dye tape and replaceable ankle brace used in this study could be useful in managing overuse and dysfunction of selected leg muscles, particularly tibialis posterior, by reducing their level of activation during walking.

Initial Neuromotor and Postural Effects After Continual Use of Augmented Low-Dye Taping

Augmented low-dye (ALD) tape increases medial longitudinal arch height, reduces calcaneal eversion and tibial internal rotation, alters plantar pressure distribution, and reduces leg muscle activity. This study evaluated continual wear of ALD tape and its initial effect on foot posture and mobility, three-dimensional motion, and muscle recruitment patterns of the lower limb in 28 individuals. Participants were then randomly allocated for an intervention period to either a group that was exposed to ALD tape continually or a group that was not exposed. Following the intervention period, all participants attended a second test session, which reevaluated the initial physiological effects of tape. Analysis of differences in exposure status revealed minimal changes in the initial physiological effects of ALD tape, and those differences were likely due to natural variation. The initial physiological effects of ALD tape appear to be consistent, even after continual use over approximately 11 days.

Augmented low dye taping changes plantar pressure and muscle activation patterns during treadmill running

Augmented low dye taping changes plantar pressure and muscle activation patterns during treadmill running

Does repeated application of augmented low-dye taping alter neuromotor control of lower limb gait or foot posture and mobility?

Background/aims: The immediate effects of augmented low-Dye (ALD) taping, such as altered foot posture and alignment during standing/walking/ jogging, altered plantar pressures and reduced leg muscle activity during walking, have been described in the literature. To date, there has been no investigation of the effect of ALD tape following a longer duration of application that is reflective of clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ALD tape on neuromotor control (control of muscle and movement patterns) of the lower limb during gait, as well as static foot posture and foot mobility, when applied for a clinically relevant period.

Effect of augmented low-dye taping and ankle bracing on lower limb muscle activity during walking in young adults with flat-arched foot posture

Effect of augmented low-dye taping and ankle bracing on lower limb muscle activity during walking in young adults with flat-arched foot posture

Repeated exposure does not alter the immediate effects of augmented low-dye taping on foot posture, foot mobility and neuromotor control of gait

Repeated exposure does not alter the immediate effects of augmented low-dye taping on foot posture, foot mobility and neuromotor control of gait

Continual use of augmented low-Dye taping increases arch height in standing but does not influence neuromotor control of gait

This study investigated the effect of continual use of augmented low-Dye (ALD) taping on neuromotor control of the lower limb during gait, as well as foot posture and mobility. Twenty-eight females were randomly allocated to wear ALD tape continuously or a no-tape control for a mean 12 ± 2 days. Electromyographic activity from 12 lower limb muscles, three-dimensional motion at the ankle, knee, hip and pelvis (i.e., measures of neuromotor control) and foot posture and mobility was measured before and after the tape or control interventions. For the tape group, arch height ratio (=arch height/distance from heel to first metatarsophalangeal joint line) was greater by 0.006 (95% confidence interval: 0.0002–0.01, p = 0.04) following the intervention period, whereas no change was observed for the control group (−0.003 (−0.01–0.004), p = 0.36). The difference between groups (0.009 (0.0004–0.02), p = 0.04) equated to a 0.16 cm increase in arch height for the tape group following continual use of ALD tape. There was no change in neuromotor control of gait following continual use of ALD taping ( p > 0.05). Continual use of ALD tape for approximately 12 days produced a small change in foot posture, but no alteration in neuromotor control. Previous literature suggests that this increase in arch height is likely to be clinically relevant and may be one factor that contributes to the known efficiency of ALD tape in the treatment of lower extremity pain and injury.

Plantar Foot Pressures After the Augmented Low Dye Taping Technique

Plantar Foot Pressures After the Augmented Low Dye Taping Technique

A pilot study of the initial effects of anti-pronation taping on electromyographic activity of lower leg muscles during walking

Clinicians frequently use anti-pronation (AP) taping to relieve symptoms and improve function in the management of musculoskeletal pain and injury, yet the mechanisms behind this effect have not been fully explored. To date, the majority of the literature has focused on the mechanical effects of AP taping and little has been done to explore its possible neurophysiological effects. This pilot study set out to investigate the effect of the Augmented LowDye taping technique on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of muscles of the lower leg during walking. Five asymptomatic subjects, who exhibited clinically abnormal pronation during a visual assessment of gait, walked on a treadmill for ten minutes before and after the application of the taping technique. Bipolar intra-muscular electrodes were used to record the EMG of the tibialis anterior (TA), tibialis posterior (TP), gastrocnemius (GN) and peroneus longus (PL) during walking. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the EMG activity (peak amplitudes, duration of activity) for each muscle. The co-efficient of multiple correlations was calculated to evaluate the variability of muscle recruitment patterns within each subject. Visual comparisons of EMG activity during individual walking strides before and after the application of tape were also performed. Peak EMG activity decreased by 25% in TA and by 45% in TP following the application of tape. There were no significant differences in peak EMG activity of GN or PL, or in duration of EMG activity for any muscle. Results from this study suggest that neurophysiological changes could contribute to the mechanism behind AP taping.

Initial effects of anti-pronation tape on the medial longitudinal arch during walking and running

Objectives: To investigate the effect of an augmented LowDye taping technique on the medial longitudinal arch of the foot during dynamic tasks such as walking and jogging, and to elucidate...