The efficacy of elastic therapeutic tape variations on measures of ankle function and performance

Abstract

Results advocate the use of ETT for proprioceptive and functional tasks when applied to the ankles of healthy male soccer players. However, a greater number of practical and significant differences were observed when RT only was applied, indicating that practitioners may potentially advocate the use of RT for tasks requiring proprioception and functional performance.

Kinesio taping does not improve ankle functional or performance in people with or without ankle injuries: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Forty-five studies investigating the effect of Kinesio taping on balance of four different populations were included and the tools/analyses used were the star excursion balance test, 26 –41 center of pressure behavior (force plate), 32,42 –52 stabilometer devices 53 –62 or errors during postural control (flamingo test, ballet movements, hop test, Balance Error Scoring System and single-legged stance). 26,39 –41,51,63 –69 Meta-analyses were carried out for healthy and older people, and people with chronic ankle instability.…”

“…Twenty-two studies investigated the effects of Kinesio taping on jump performance measured as jump distance, height, flight time, execution time, power, velocity, impact, stiffness and rate of force development, in three populations. 26,28,30,33,39,40,52,55,59,63,67,70 –80 Meta-analyses were carried out for healthy people and people with chronic ankle instability.…”

“…Additionally, two meta-analyses (low evidence quality) indicated that Kinesio taping does not improve jump height and power after fatigue protocols compared to control conditions (Figure 5). Six low-quality studies were not included in meta-analyses due to differences in assessment methods, 28,55,73,77,78,80 and none of these six studies reported any difference in favor of Kinesio taping (Supplementary Material 4).…”

“…Six studies analyzed the effects of Kinesio taping on proprioception, evaluating movement discrimination capacity at the ankle and accuracy for center of pressure adjustment in two populations. 55,88 –92 Meta-analyses were only carried out for healthy people.…”

Do we really have evidence that Kinesio taping improves ankle functional performance?

“…After a quick search we know at least another three studies could have been included. 9–11 Overall, this lack of consistency between the criteria presented and the studies included creates doubts in whether the results presented should be trusted. These three extra papers referenced here were easily found at Medline when using the search strategy presented in the systematic review by Wang et al; 1 therefore, the authors should have clearly included more studies in their systematic review and meta-analysis, 1 which could have had an impact in the main results.…”