Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Extended use of Kinesiology Tape and Balance in Participants with Chronic Ankle Instability
Kristen Jackson1, Janet E Simon2, Carrie L Docherty3
1Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant;
Context:
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.
Design:
Cohort study.
Setting:
Research laboratory.
Patients Or Other Participants:
Thirty participants with CAI were recruited for this study.
Intervention(S):
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.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
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.
