title: Extended use of Kinesiology Tape and Balance in Participants with Chronic Ankle Instability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Participants with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have been shown to have balance deficits related to decreased proprioception and neuromuscular control. Kinesiology tape (KT) has been proposed to have many benefits, including increased proprioception.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if KT can help with balance deficits associated with CAI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty participants with CAI were recruited for this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balance was assessed using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Participants were pretested and then randomly assigned to either the control or KT group. The participants in the KT group had 4 strips applied to the foot and lower leg and were instructed to leave the tape on until they returned for testing. All participants returned 48 hours later for another BESS assessment. The tape was then removed, and all participants returned 72 hours later to complete the final BESS assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total BESS errors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differences between the groups occurred at 48 hours post-application of the tape (mean difference = 4.7 ± 1.4 errors, P < .01; 95% confidence interval = 2.0, 7.5) and at 72 hours post-removal of the tape (mean difference = 2.3 ± 1.1 errors, P = .04; 95% confidence interval = 0.1, 4.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The KT improved balance after it had been applied for 48 hours when compared with the pretest and with the control group. One of the most clinically important findings is that balance improvements were retained even after the tape had been removed for 72 hours.
authors.affiliation: Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant;
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, Ohio University, Athens;
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington.
authors.forename: Carrie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Docherty
mesh_terms: D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D055052:Athletic Tape; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Balance Error Scoring System; ankle sprains; proprioception