Effect of Ankle Disk Training Combined with Tactile Stimulation to the Leg and Foot on Functional Instability of the Ankle

Abstract

Twenty-two university students with unilateral functional instability of the ankle participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups. Subjects in both groups were trained to stand on the affected limb on an ankle disk. In group 1, two pieces of 1-cm wide nonelastic adhesive tape were applied to the skin around the lateral malleolus from the distal third of the lower leg to the sole of the foot before the training sessions. Subjects in group 2 participated in the training sessions without the application of the adhesive tape. Training was performed for 10 minutes a day, five times per week, for a period of 10 weeks. Subjects were tested for postural sway while standing on the affected limb before, during, and after the training period. In group 1, postural sway values decreased significantly after 4 weeks compared with the pretraining performance, and they were within the normal range after not more than 6 weeks of training. In group 2, the values did not improve significantly compared with the pretraining performance until after 6 weeks of training, and they were not within the normal range until after 8 weeks of training. The findings suggest that the 2-week earlier correction of postural sway in group 1 was due to an increased afferent input from skin receptors that were stimulated by the traction of the adhesive tape.

The Effect of Kinesiotaping on Functional Performance in Chronic Ankle Instability - Preliminary Study

“…Matsusaka et al [11] demonstrated that taping has a positive effect on functional ankle instability, though Hume and Gerrard [12] reported that in rugby union players, bracing would be more effective than taping, which makes little difference. Whilst there are a number of papers investigating the effects of Kinesiotape, a great deal of these examines its effect on those with healthy ankles, not in those with CAI.…”

“…The examiner and the taper were the same person and thus, they too were not blinded, leading to possible further bias regarding results and measurement. Matsusaka et al [11] found improved functional dynamic balance, through assessment of postural sway on an ankle disk in participants with CAI, when a single strip of white tape was applied over the lateral peroneal muscles. Whether it is specifically Kinesiotape which produces an effect or the presence of any supportive tape leads to the improvement remains to be seen.…”

Evaluación postural y análisis del equilibrio en principiantes de esquí nórdico / Postural Evaluation and Balance Analysis in Nordic Skiing Beginners

“…Podemos definir el concepto de equilibrio como la capacidad para mantener la posición del centro de masas del cuerpo sobre la base de apoyo (Lephart, 2000). Ésta búsqueda continua responde a la denominada estabilidad o control postural (Ageberg, 2003); se trata de una propiedad de los cuerpos que consiste en una permanente persecución de su equilibrio cuando se apartan de él, tendiendo a volver a su posición inicial (PierreMarie & Weber, 2001).…”

Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Ankle Ligament Sprains

“…Moderate-quality evidence suggests adjunctive interventions can increase the rate of improvement observed as a result of therapeutic exercise and activity programs, such as taping 171 and external attentional focus. 154,216 Evidence supporting the use of stochastic resonance, a form of subsensory electrical stimulation, is conflicting.…”