Effects of Rigid and Kinesio Taping on Balance and Performance in Chronic Ankle Instability

NCT07627165 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: OASTaping
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the immediate effects of rigid subtalar sling taping, kinesio subtalar sling taping, and sham taping on balance, proprioception, ankle mobility, and functional performance in physically active adults with chronic ankle instability. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does rigid subtalar sling taping improve dynamic balance, ankle proprioception, ankle dorsiflexion mobility, and functional performance in individuals with chronic ankle instability?
• Does rigid subtalar sling taping provide greater benefits than kinesio subtalar sling taping or sham taping under fatigue and recovery conditions? Researchers will compare rigid subtalar sling taping, kinesio subtalar sling taping, and sham taping to determine their effects on balance, proprioception, ankle mobility, and functional performance before fatigue, after fatigue, and following recovery. Participants will:
• Complete baseline assessments of dynamic balance, ankle proprioception, ankle dorsiflexion mobility, and functional performance.
• Be randomly assigned to receive rigid subtalar sling taping, kinesio subtalar sling taping, or sham taping.
• Repeat all outcome assessments immediately after tape application.
• Perform a standardized fatigue protocol consisting of running, hopping, jumping, and heel-raise exercises until predefined fatigue criteria are reached.
• Complete all outcome assessments immediately after the fatigue protocol.
• Rest in a seated position for 20 minutes.
• Complete a final set of outcome assessments following recovery. The study aims to identify whether subtalar sling taping can improve functional performance and neuromuscular control in physically active individuals with chronic ankle instability and whether these effects are maintained after fatigue and recovery.

Conditions

Chronic Ankle Instability, CAI

Keywords

Chronic Ankle Instability; Ankle Instability; Kinesio Taping; Rigid Taping; Subtalar Sling Taping; Dynamic Balance; Proprioception; Y-Balance Test; Functional Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Y-Balance Test Composite Score

  Dynamic balance performance assessed using the Y-Balance Test (YBT) Composite Score. The composite score is calculated as the sum of the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach distances divided by three times the participant's leg length and multiplied by 100. Scores are expressed as a percentage, with higher scores indicating better dynamic balance performance. There is no fixed minimum or maximum score, although values typically range between 0 and 100%.

  Baseline, immediately after taping, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and 20 minutes after completion of the fatigue protocol.

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Ankle Joint Position Sense Error

  Baseline, immediately after taping, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and 20 minutes after completion of the fatigue protocol.

• Weight-Bearing Lunge Test Distance

  Baseline, immediately after taping, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and 20 minutes after completion of the fatigue protocol.

• Single-Leg Hop Distance

  Baseline, immediately after taping, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and 20 minutes after completion of the fatigue protocol.

• Side Hop Test Performance

  Baseline, immediately after taping, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and 20 minutes after completion of the fatigue protocol.

• Figure-of-8 Hop Test Performance

  Baseline, immediately after taping, immediately after the fatigue protocol, and 20 minutes after completion of the fatigue protocol.

Other Outcomes (4)

• Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion

  Immediately after completion of the fatigue protocol.

• Post-Fatigue Heart Rate

  Immediately after completion of the fatigue protocol.

• Fatigue Protocol Duration

  Immediately after completion of the fatigue protocol.

Study Arms (3)

Rigid Subtalar Sling Taping

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive rigid subtalar sling taping applied by a trained investigator prior to performance testing and the fatigue protocol.

Other: Rigid Subtalar Sling Taping

Kinesio Subtalar Sling Taping

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive kinesio subtalar sling taping applied by a trained investigator prior to performance testing and the fatigue protocol.

Other: Kinesio Subtalar Sling Taping

Sham Taping

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants will receive a sham taping application that does not provide mechanical support or intended sensorimotor facilitation prior to performance testing and the fatigue protocol.

Other: Sham Taping

Interventions

Rigid Subtalar Sling Taping OTHER

A rigid athletic tape application designed to provide mechanical support to the subtalar and ankle joints and restrict excessive motion associated with chronic ankle instability.

Rigid Subtalar Sling Taping

Kinesio Subtalar Sling Taping OTHER

A kinesiology tape application designed to enhance sensorimotor feedback and improve neuromuscular control without substantially restricting ankle motion.

Kinesio Subtalar Sling Taping

Sham Taping OTHER

A placebo taping application intended to mimic taping procedures without providing meaningful mechanical support or sensorimotor enhancement.

Sham Taping

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 35 years.
• Physically active individuals participating in physical activity at least three times per week.
• History of at least one significant lateral ankle sprain.
• Self-reported episodes of ankle giving way, recurrent sprains, or feelings of instability during the previous six months.
• Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score ≤24.
• Ability to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Acute lower-extremity injury within the previous three months.
• Previous lower-extremity fracture requiring surgical management.
• History of lower-extremity surgery.
• Vestibular, neurological, or systemic disorders affecting balance, movement, or proprioception.
• Current musculoskeletal pain that limits participation in testing procedures.
• Known allergy or sensitivity to adhesive tape materials.
• Participation in another rehabilitation or intervention study during the study period.
• Inability to complete the fatigue protocol or functional performance assessments safely.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Nisantasi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

İstanbul Nisantasi University

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Meng S, Fu X, Xu Y, Zhang X, Peng Z, Cao Y, Tang B, Shi X, Liu K, Zhu J. The effects of kinesio taping on dynamic balance in patients with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Physiol. 2026 Apr 27;17:1823162. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1823162. eCollection 2026.

  PMID: 42125191 BACKGROUND

• Wang X, Shao X, Yu R, Wang Y, Deng F, Adams R, Han J. Acute effects of kinesiology tape on dynamic balance control in chronic ankle instability: An exploratory study. Phys Ther Sport. 2023 Jul;62:65-70. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.06.005. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

  PMID: 37399706 BACKGROUND

• Powden CJ, Hoch JM, Hoch MC. Rehabilitation and Improvement of Health-Related Quality-of-Life Detriments in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Meta-Analysis. J Athl Train. 2017 Aug;52(8):753-765. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-52.5.01. Epub 2017 Jul 13.

  PMID: 28704635 BACKGROUND

• Wikstrom EA, Brown CN. Minimum reporting standards for copers in chronic ankle instability research. Sports Med. 2014 Feb;44(2):251-68. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0111-4.

  PMID: 24122774 BACKGROUND

• Gribble PA, Delahunt E, Bleakley C, Caulfield B, Docherty CL, Fourchet F, Fong D, Hertel J, Hiller C, Kaminski TW, McKeon PO, Refshauge KM, van der Wees P, Vicenzino B, Wikstrom EA. Selection criteria for patients with chronic ankle instability in controlled research: a position statement of the International Ankle Consortium. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013 Aug;43(8):585-91. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2013.0303. Epub 2013 Jul 31.

  PMID: 23902805 BACKGROUND

• Wilkerson GB, Kovaleski JE, Meyer M, Stawiz C. Effects of the subtalar sling ankle taping technique on combined talocrural-subtalar joint motions. Foot Ankle Int. 2005 Mar;26(3):239-46. doi: 10.1177/107110070502600310.

  PMID: 15766428 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Onur Atakan Sekibağ, PT, MSc, PhD(c)

  Istanbul Nişantaşı University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants will be blinded to group allocation. Outcome assessments will be conducted by an assessor who is unaware of participant group assignment. The investigator responsible for tape application cannot be blinded due to the nature of the interventions and will not be involved in outcome assessment or statistical analysis.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Model Details: Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three parallel intervention groups: rigid subtalar sling taping, kinesio subtalar sling taping, or sham taping. Participants will remain in their assigned group throughout the study, and outcomes will be assessed across multiple time points to evaluate immediate and fatigue-related effects of the interventions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 30, 2026
• First Posted: June 4, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: June 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

TU (1)