title: Fibular taping does not influence ankle dorsiflexion range of motion or balance measures in individuals with chronic ankle instability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of fibular taping on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and dynamic balance in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, randomized crossover.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three individuals (age=23.4 ± 2.5 years, height=171.6 ± 12.4 cm, mass=71.5±13.1 kg) with CAI were allocated to either a fibular taping intervention or sham taping intervention (tape applied without tension) over the course of two visits. Weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM and components of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) were measured before and after intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was not a significant change in ankle dorsiflexion ROM when comparing the taping interventions (F1,43=1.03, P=.32), but both interventions resulted in a small increase (F1,43=8.07, P=.007) in dorsiflexion ROM (pre=36.7° ± 6.9°, post=37.7° ± 6.2°). This increase in ROM did not exceed the established minimal detectable change for dorsiflexion ROM. Fibular taping with tension produced an increase (F1,41=5.84, P=.02) (pre=69.0 ± 9.1%, post=70.6±8.6%) in posterolateral reach distance when compared to taping without tension (pre=72.7 ± 11.0%, post=71.4 ± 9.6%), but this increase did not exceed the established minimal detectable change. There was not a significant change in dynamic balance between groups for the anterior (F1,41=2.33, P=.14) and posteromedial (F1,41=.41, P=.53) reach directions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although small changes in ankle dorsiflexion ROM and posterolateral reach distances were observed, these changes did not exceed established minimal detectable change values for these measures. These results suggest that the benefits of fibular taping are not related to an increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM or dynamic balance.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Curtis R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Basnett
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hanish
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Miriovsky
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Danielson
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Barr
authors.forename: A Joseph
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Threlkeld
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Grindstaff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D055052:Athletic Tape; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ankle joint; Functional ankle instability; Preventive therapy; Sprain; Taping