Effects of the Elastic Taping on the Chronic Ankle Instability

Effects of the Elastic Taping on the Chronic Ankle Instability: a Clinical Trial

This study will analyze the effects of an elastic taping application protocol in individuals with chronic ankle instability. One group will perform a protocol with increased tape tension for five weeks while the other group will receive the same tape without tension during the same period.

Elastic taping is a method widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of ankle instability and shows increasing interest in research to verify its effectiveness. The literature presents several studies with short-term effects, largely in healthy individuals and with several application techniques, with the incremental tensioning of the proposed tape subjectively.

The literature presents several studies with short-term effects, largely in healthy individuals and with several application techniques, with the incremental tensioning of the proposed tape subjectively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• young adults with chronic ankle instability (unilateral or bilateral);
• the first sprain episode occurred for at least 1 year pre-study associated with inflammatory symptoms (pain, edema, etc.);
• having discontinued for at least 1 day physical activity;
• the most recent sprain occurred more than 3 months prior study;
• self-reported instability feeling to be confirmed by specific questionnaires.

Exclusion Criteria:

• lower limb surgical procedure;
• lower limb fracture history;
• acute injury (last 3 months) of other lower limb joints resulting in at least 1 day in the interruption of physical activity;
• wounds in the ankle region or foot;
• own skin disease;
• have allergy to bandage;
• be in physiotherapeutic treatment.