Table 4. Study characteristics.
| Study | Design | Level of Evidence a | Objective(s) | Participant Characteristics | KT and Comparison | Outcome Measures [Timing] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studies including participants with unstable ankles | ||||||
| Bicici et al, 2012 [43] | RCT (Cross over) | II | Effect of KT, rigid tape, and placebo tape compared to no tape on postural control, muscle endurance and functional task performance in athletes with unstable ankles | 15 basketball players with chronic inversion ankle sprains (>3) and a diagnosis of functional ankle instability as determined by the CAIT Gender: male (n = 15) Age (years)*: 20.33 (1.4) | KT: KT of the tibiofibular ligament and peroneus longus and brevis muscles Comparison: rigid tape for lateral ligament ankle sprain, placebo tape via ‘I’ shaped rigid tape strips applied with no tension, and no tape | Body Function / Structure: postural control, muscle endurance [immediately after KT application] Activity and Participation: functional task performance [immediately after KT application] |
| Briem et al, 2011 [44] | Pseudo-RCT | III-1 | Effect of KT and rigid tape compared to no tape on peroneus longus muscle activity and perceived stability during an inversion perturbation in athletes with stable and unstable ankles | 30 premier league athletes (soccer, handball, basketball); 15 with ankle instability, 15 with no ankle instability Gender: male (n = 30), Age (years)*: 24.5 (5.0) | KT: KT of peroneus longus Comparison: rigid tape for lateral ligament ankle sprain, and no tape | Body Function / Structure: muscle activity, perceived stability [immediately after KT application] |
| Simon et al, 2014 [48] | Case-control | III-2 | Effect of KT on proprioception in participants with unstable ankles compared to healthy controls | 28 participants KT group: unstable ankles (n = 14) Gender: male (n = 9), female (n = 6) Age (years)*: 20.8 (1.4) Control group: healthy participants) (n = 14) Gender: male (n = 2), female (n = 12) Age (years)*: 21.2 (2.6) | KT: KT for lateral ligament ankle sprainComparison: no tape | Body Function / Structure: proprioception [immediate, 72 hours after KT application] |
| Shields et al, 2013 [49] | Cohort | III-2 | Immediate and lasting effects of KT on postural control in healthy, coper and unstable ankles | 60 participants stratified into equal groups (n = 20) of healthy, coper or unstable ankles by history of ankle injury and CAIT scores Gender: male (n = 25), female (n = 35) Age (years)*: 21.5 (2.6) | KT: KT for lateral ligament ankle sprain Comparison: no tape | Body Function / Structure: postural control [immediate, 24 hours after KT application] |
| Studies including participants with stable ankles | ||||||
| Fayson et al, 2013 [50] | Case series | IV | Effect of KT on ankle joint stiffness and functional task performance in healthy participants | 30 healthy participants Gender: female (n = 30) Age (years)*: 20.4 (1.0) | KT: KT for lateral ligament ankle sprain Comparison: no tape | Body Function / Structure: ankle joint stiffness [immediate, 24 hours after KT application] Activity and Participation: functional task performance [immediate, 24 hours after KT application] |
| Halseth et al, 2004 [45] | RCT(Cross over) | II | Effect of KT compared to no tape on proprioception in healthy participants | 30 healthy participants Gender: male (n = 15), female (n = 15) Age (years)**: 18–30 | KT: KT for lateral ligament ankle sprain Comparison: no tape | Body Function / Structure: proprioception [immediately after KT application] |
| Nakajima et al, 2013 [46] | RCT (Parallel) | II | Effect of KT compared to sham KT on dynamic postural control and functional task performance in healthy participants | 52 healthy participants Gender: male (n = 28), female (n = 24) Age (years)*: 22.12 (2.08) | KT: KT for lateral ligament ankle sprain with tension Comparison: KT for lateral ligament ankle sprain without tension (sham) | Body Function / Structure: postural control [immediate, 24 hours after KT application] Activity and Participation: functional task performance [immediate, 24 hours after KT application] |
| Semple et al, 2012 [47] | RCT (Cross over) | II | Effect of KT compared to no tape on postural control in healthy athletes | 31 healthy, semi-professional rugby union players Gender: male (n = 31) Age (years)*: 19.57 (0.76) | KT: Pre-cut KT for lateral ligament ankle sprain Comparison: no tape | Body Function / Structure: postural control [immediately after KT application] |
a Level of Evidence as per the Hierarchy of Evidence [27]
KT kinesiotape
CAIT Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool
*values represent Mean (standard deviation)
** values represent range