Effect of Kinesio Tape on Proprioception, Static and Dynamic Balance in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability

Background. Chronic ankle instability has a detrimental impact on joint proprioception and muscle strength and negatively influences balance. Kinesio tape is gaining popularity among athletes as a technique to prevent ankle injuries while engaging in sports, although its efficiency in treating those limitations has been questioned. Objectives. The study aimed to measure how Kinesio tape influenced static and dynamic balance and ankle proprioception in CAI patients. Methods. Twenty-eight men with chronic ankle instability were randomly assigned to one of three taping treatments: Kinesio tape (KT), placebo tape (PT), or no taping (NT). Isokinetic dynamometry was used to test joint position sense (JPS) and threshold for detecting passive motion (TTDPM). The static and dynamic balances were assessed using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). The differences in JPS, TTDPM, and static and dynamic balance test results across the three conditions were investigated using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Results. In the BESS test, the use of KT resulted in a much lower number of errors than the use of NT. The passive JPS maximum inversion test revealed that KT had better proprioception than PT and NT conditions. There were no significant differences in the other assessed variables across the tape. Conclusion. In CAI participants, KT may aid preserve static balance and enhance proprioception.