Background: The ankle–foot complex plays a key role in maintaining balance because it collects proprioceptive data. Kinesio taping (KT) is a rehabilitative method performed by the cutaneous application of a special elastic tape. The mechanical correction technique of KT was suggested to reposition the joints and alter balance parameters. The aim was to reveal the pure effects of ankle KT on balance, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in healthy individuals.Methods: Forty healthy students were recruited for this randomized, sham-controlled study at a local university. Participants were divided into two groups—experimental and sham application groups. The primary outcome measures were balance parameters. Athlete Single Leg (ASL), Limits of Stability (LoS), and Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB) were used to measure single-leg dynamic balance, dynamic postural control, and sensory interaction of balance, respectively. Dorsiflexion ROM and dorsiflexor muscle strength were the secondary outcomes.Results: The ASL score showed significant improvement only in the experimental KT group (P=0.02); however, the LoS score increased significantly in both groups (P<0.05). CTSIB scores, dorsiflexion ROM, and dorsiflexor muscle strength for both ankles did not change in any of the groups after intervention (P>0.05). Moreover, there was no superiority of one intervention over the other in improving any of the variables (P>0.05).Conclusion: The mechanical correction technique of KT can be useful in providing immediate improvement in single-leg dynamic balance in healthy individuals. However, it may not be effective to significantly change the sensory interaction of balance, dorsiflexion ROM, and muscle strength.

Context: Ankle proprioception is one of the crucial components contributing to postural control. Although the effects of Mulligan’s mobilization with movement (MWM) on postural control, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), and muscle strength in people with ankle disorders have previously been investigated, it is still unclear whether ankle MWM had ability to change postural control, DFROM, and muscle strength. Objectives: To reveal pure effects of MWM on postural control, ankle DFROM, and muscle strength in healthy individuals. Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study. Setting: Musculoskeletal laboratory, Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey. Participants: Forty students in good health recruited from a local university. Interventions: Mulligan’s MWM or sham application over ankle joint. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was postural control and measured using limits of stability (LOS) test. The secondary outcomes were tibialis anterior muscle strength and ankle DFROM, which were measured using handheld dynamometer and weight-bearing lunge test, respectively. All outcomes were assessed before and immediately after intervention. Results: Left and right ankle DFROM and LOS overall score showed a statistically significant improvement compared with first measurement in both groups (P < .05). However, LOS time was significantly improved only in the MWM group (P < .05). Statistical analyses of between-group mean differences showed that Mulligan’s MWM provided significant improvement in the LOS in forward–right direction compared with sham application (P = .03). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the application of Mulligan’s MWM on ankle joint might be beneficial to improve postural control in forward right direction in individuals with healthy ankles. On the other hand, both MWM and sham application were able to increase overall postural control and DFROM, and MWM had no superiority over sham application for increasing these 2 variables.

Amaç: Ağrı ve hareket kısıtlılığı ile karakterize omuz problemlerinde Mulligan mobilizasyon yönteminin etkinliğinin araştırılmasıdır. Yöntem: Pubmed, Google Scholar ve Pedro arama motorları konu ile ilgili randomize kontrollü çalışmalar açısından tarandı. Üç araştırmacı başlık, özet ve tam metin makalelerden potansiyel olarak uygun olanları seçmek için dahil edilme kriterlerini birbirlerinden bağımsız olarak uyguladılar. Bulgular: Kriterlere uyan 26 randomize kontrollü çalışma derlemeye dahil edildi. Literatüre göre Mulligan mobilizasyon yönteminin, rotator manşet sendromlu, subakromiyal sıkışma sendromlu, donuk omuz sendromlu ve omuz ağrılı hastalarda EHA, ağrı ve fonksiyon açısından kısa dönemde etkili olduğu görülmektedir. Sonuç: Rotator manşet sendromu, subakromiyal sıkışma sendromu, omuz ağrısı ve kısıtlılığı olan hastalar ve donuk omuz sendromu olan hastalarda ağrıyı azaltmak, eklem hareket kısıtlılığını ve fonksiyonu artırmak amacıyla Mulligan mobilizasyon yöntemi kullanılabilir. Mobilizasyonun egzersiz ile birlikte uygulanması daha etkili sonuçlar vermektedir.