Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a frequent complication of ankle sprain that may be associated with long-term consequences. Although taping and bracing are common interventions that are widely used by clinicians and athletic trainers for patients with CAI, no studies have compared the effects of kinesiotaping and bracing on balance performance in these patients. The present study aimed to compare the effects of ankle kinesiotaping, a soft ankle orthosis, and a semirigid ankle orthosis on balance performance in patients with CAI. Methods: Sixty patients with CAI were randomly assigned to 4 groups that received kinesiotaping, a soft orthosis, a semirigid orthosis, or no treatment (control group). Dynamic and static balance were measured with the modified Star Excursion Balance Test, single leg hop test, and single leg stance test before and after a 4-week intervention period. Results: Significant between-group differences were seen in all evaluated outcomes ( P ≤ .003). The lowest reach distances in all directions in the modified Star Excursion Balance Test were found in the control group, and these patients also had a significantly shorter measured distance in the single leg hop test, and more errors in the single leg stance test compared with the 3 intervention groups. No significant differences were found among the 3 intervention groups. Conclusion: Use of kinesiotaping and a soft or a semirigid ankle brace for 4 weeks were all beneficial in improving static and dynamic balance in individuals with CAI. None of the interventions was superior to the other 2. Level of Evidence: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

Objective The aim of this study is investigate the core muscles dysfunctions and their consequences in patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods In this review study, search was conducted in three online databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar based on Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) strategy, and using keywords related to the role and function of core muscles, their electromyography, kinematic patterns of proximal segments, and postural stability in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Results Seven studies were finally selected for the review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results indicated that individuals with chronic ankle instability in comparison with healthy peers have different electromyography and kinematic patterns of proximal segments (trunk, abdomen and pelvis). Conclusion Muscle activity and kinematic patterns of proximal segments in individuals with chronic ankle instability are different to those of healthy ones. These differences are compensatory strategies for postural stability. These strategies may not provide the body’s need to maintain and control the poster in new environments or during complex activities. Further studies are needed to investigate effects of the correction of core muscle function on the postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

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