Kinesio Taping Effects on Balance and Ankle Proprioception

University of Beykent

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Balanced; Ankle Injuries

Treatments: Other: Sham Kinesio Taping; Other: Kinesio Taping 2; Other: Kinesio Taping 1

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06832111

UBeykent-11

Details and patient eligibility

About

Ankle injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, affecting both athletes and the general population. Various methods are used to prevent such injuries, but the effectiveness of different kinesio taping applications on joint position sense and balance remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of different kinesio taping techniques on proprioception and postural stability in healthy young adults. By identifying changes in balance and proprioception before injuries occur, the findings may provide clinical insights into the potential role of kinesio taping in rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Full description

Ankle and foot injuries are among the most frequently observed musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in athletes and physically active individuals. Various preventive methods have been developed to reduce the risk of such injuries, including exercise programs, footwear modifications, and taping techniques. Kinesio taping (KT) is widely used to enhance proprioception, joint stability, and neuromuscular function, but its effectiveness in healthy young adults remains unclear.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of different kinesio taping applications on joint position sense and balance in healthy young adults. The ankle-foot complex is rich in mechanoreceptors and plays a crucial role in movement and postural control. However, proprioceptive deficits and balance impairments contribute to the risk of injuries such as chronic ankle instability (CAI) and lateral ankle sprains. While several studies have investigated the effects of KT in injured populations, research on its impact on proprioception and balance in uninjured individuals is lacking.

By analyzing changes in balance and proprioception among healthy participants, this study will provide valuable insights into the potential role of kinesio taping in injury prevention. Understanding these effects before an injury occurs could help refine rehabilitation strategies and improve clinical decision-making regarding the use of kinesio taping for both prevention and post-injury treatment.

Enrollment: 120 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age: Participants must be between 18-25 years old.
• General Health: Participants must be generally healthy individuals, with no previously diagnosed chronic health conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, or history of injuries.
• Ankle Health: No ankle injuries or surgical interventions in the past six months.
• Informed Consent: Participants must voluntarily agree to participate and sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• History of Injuries: Any lower extremity injury (ankle or knee) within the past year.
• Neurological Disorders: Any neurological condition that may affect balance or proprioception.
• Other Health Conditions: Presence of chronic diseases such as rheumatic diseases, diabetes, or musculoskeletal disorders that could impact the study outcomes.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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120 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Kinesio Taping Application 1

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Kinesio Taping Application 1, a specific taping technique applied to the ankle. The intervention aims to assess its effects on joint position sense and balance over four time points: before application, immediately after, 24 hours later, and 48 hours later.

Treatment:

Other: Kinesio Taping 1

Kinesio Taping Application 2

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Kinesio Taping Application 2, a different taping technique applied to the ankle. The study will evaluate its impact on proprioception and postural stability over the same four time points.

Treatment:

Other: Kinesio Taping 2

Sham Taping (Placebo Comparator)

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive a sham Kinesio taping application, which mimics the appearance of real taping but is applied without therapeutic tension or functional support. This group will serve as a placebo control to assess whether the effects observed in the experimental groups are due to the taping method or a placebo effect.

Treatment:

Other: Sham Kinesio Taping