The effects of Kinesiology Tape on static postural control in individuals with functional ankle instability.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if applying Kinesiology Tape (KT) on the unstable ankle may improve static postural control in individuals with Functional ankle instability.

DESIGN

A repeated measured study. Participants performed a series of static quiet bipedal and unipedal stances on a force platform. Measurements were taken at three different times: baseline or no tape, immediately and 24 h after the taping application with the tape remaining on the ankle.

SETTING

A university's psychomotor laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty young adults with Functional ankle instability aged from 18 to 30 years old.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Postural control was assessed by four measures derived from the centre of pressure data: Area of 95% Confidence ellipse, standard deviation of displacements, mean velocity and mean power frequency. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine any significant improvement in postural control over time due to KT.

RESULTS

Only minor changes in mean velocity and MPF in unipedal stances were observed immediately after KT application. However, the overall results indicated statistically insignificant improvements in postural control neither immediately after KT application nor after 24 h.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that the use of KT did not affect bipedal and unipedal stances of individuals with functional ankle instability.