| Summary: | Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a condition characterized by recurrent ankle sprains and
sensations of instability. It may affect sporting performance by impairing proprioception and
balance, and causing muscle weakness. Conservative treatments have been employed to
improve balance and prevent recurrent injuries. Recently, kinesiology tape (KT) has emerged,
claiming to improve muscle function and balance. Several studies demonstrated conflicting
results regarding its effects on balance. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of
KT on static and dynamic balance in those with CAI. Participants were screened using the
Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI) questionnaire to determine eligibility,
and randomly assigned to intervention (KT) and control (no intervention) groups. Balance
Error Scoring System (BESS) and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) were used to measure
static and dynamic balance during two sessions, 48 hours apart. 22 participants were recruited
(9 males and 13 females, age: 23.3±0.3 years). Pretest scores for BESS and SEBT were not
statistically significantly different between groups (p>.05). KT application elicited
statistically significant median improvements in the medial (T=40, z=-2.073, p=.038) and
posteromedial (T=61, z=-2.49, p=.013) directions for SEBT, and reductions in foam surface
(T=49.5, z=-2.25, p=.024) and total (T=51.5, z=-2.45, p=.014) error scores for BESS.
Keywords: Kinesiology tape, chronic ankle instability, static balance, dynamic balance
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