title: Effect of Kinesiology Tape on Measurements of Balance in Subjects With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the immediate and prolonged effects (7d) of Kinesiology Tape (KT) on balance in subjects with chronic ankle instability using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 7-day follow-up, single-blind randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects (N=36) were screened for possible eligibility criteria, and 30 successfully completed the study protocol. Of these, 15 were randomly assigned to the experimental group (KT: 5 men, 10 women), and 15 were assigned to the control group (placebo tape: 10 men, 5 women).
  
  
  METHODS
  The experimental group was taped for a lateral ankle sprain with KT. In the control group, a placebo tape was used. Balance was assessed under the following 3 conditions: without taping, immediately after application, and after 7 days of use.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CDP device used in this study was the Smart Equitest version 8.2. CDP analysis was conducted using the Sensory Organization Test (SOT). As primaries outcome measures, the composite SOT score and composite SOT strategy were chosen. The partial score for SOT condition 2 and its strategy were considered as the secondary outcomes measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that there was not a significant interaction between group and time in the composite SOT score (F=.239; P=.73), SOT condition 2 (F=.333; P=.705), and SOT strategy 2 (F=.899; P=.43). Additionally, repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant effect for time (composite SOT score: F=40.69; P≤.01; SOT condition 2: F=4.61; P=.014; SOT strategy 2: F=.899; P=.413; composite SOT strategy: F=15.14; P≤.01). Specifically, post hoc analysis showed that both groups obtained improvements in composite SOT scores immediately after tape application and 7 days of use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, the SOT scores of both the KT and control groups improved during follow-up. No differences between them were observed during the follow-up in most balance measurements. The observed changes may be related to a subjective increase in confidence after the tape application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de-la-Torre-Domingo
authors.affiliation: Motion Analysis, Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Isabel M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Alguacil-Diego
authors.affiliation: Motion Analysis, Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: francisco.molina@urjc.es.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molina-Rueda
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Román
authors.affiliation: Motion Analysis, Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain; Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Josué
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Carnero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000843:Ankle Joint; D055052:Athletic Tape; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ankle injuries; Joint instability; Lateral ligament, ankle; Postural balance; Rehabilitation