| Objective: To explore the immediate and short-term effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed as having CAI were randomly divided into control group (n=30) and KT group (n=30). The control group was given conventional functional exercise, and the KT group received KT treatment around the affected ankle additionally, for 4 weeks. Before taping, immediate and 4 weeks after taping, all patients were evaluated with Peak Torque of Evertor (E-PT) measured by the isokinetic system, and Y Balance Test (YBT), Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and Perceived Ankle Instability scale (PAI) were combined to assess the efficacy. Results: Immediately after treatment, as compared with the control group and before treatment, the YBT score in KT group increased significantly (both P<0.05), and the PAI score decreased significantly (both P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, E-PT, YBT and CAIT scores in both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05), and PAI score was significantly lower (both P<0.05). YBT and CAIT scores in KT group were higher than those in control group at the same time point (both P<0.05), and PAI scores were significantly lower (P<0.05). Conclusion: KT can enhance the stability of ankle joint in CAI patients immediately after taping, and KT in combination with conventional functional exercise can generate better effects than the conventional functional exercise alone. |
