Is Ankle Kinesio Taping Effective to Immediately Change Balance, Range of Motion, and Muscle Strength in Healthy Individuals? A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: The ankle–foot complex plays a key role in maintaining balance because it collects proprioceptive data. Kinesio taping (KT) is a rehabilitative method performed by the cutaneous application of a special elastic tape. The mechanical correction technique of KT was suggested to reposition the joints and alter balance parameters. The aim was to reveal the pure effects of ankle KT on balance, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in healthy individuals. METHODS: Forty healthy students were recruited for this randomized, sham-controlled study at a local university. Participants were divided into two groups—experimental and sham application groups. The primary outcome measures were balance parameters. Athlete Single Leg (ASL), Limits of Stability (LoS), and Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB) were used to measure single-leg dynamic balance, dynamic postural control, and sensory interaction of balance, respectively. Dorsiflexion ROM and dorsiflexor muscle strength were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The ASL score showed significant improvement only in the experimental KT group (P=0.02); however, the LoS score increased significantly in both groups (P<0.05). CTSIB scores, dorsiflexion ROM, and dorsiflexor muscle strength for both ankles did not change in any of the groups after intervention (P>0.05). Moreover, there was no superiority of one intervention over the other in improving any of the variables (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The mechanical correction technique of KT can be useful in providing immediate improvement in single-leg dynamic balance in healthy individuals. However, it may not be effective to significantly change the sensory interaction of balance, dorsiflexion ROM, and muscle strength.