Effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus. METHODS: The following databases were searched up to March 2020, including Web of Science, Pubmed, EBSCO, CNKI and Cochrane Library. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed by I(2) index and funnel plots, respectively. In addition, Cochrane scale was used to evaluate the quality of research. RESULTS: Navicular height for three antipronation taping techniques significantly increased immediately post tape compared with baseline (mean difference = 4.86 mm, 95% CI = 2.86–6.87 mm, Z = 4.75, p < 0.001). The highest increase was observed in Augmented low-Dye (ALD). Modified low-Dye (MLD) was second only to ALD (p<0.001). Navicular height after walking for 10 min was much higher than baseline (p<0.001), with MLD decreased smaller than ALD. CONCLUSIONS: ALD was the most effective taping technique for controlling foot arch collapse immediately post tape compared with baseline, followed by MLD. By contrast, MLD could possibly performed better than ALD in maintaining immediate navicular height after walking for 10 min. Low-Dye could make resting calcaneal stance position closer to neutral position. Although positive effects of Navicular sling, low-Dye and Double X taping interventions were observed, they could not maintain this immediate navicular height effect after a period of higher intensity weight-bearing exercise.