Research article - (2004)03, 1 - 7
The Effects of Kinesio™ Taping on Proprioception at the Ankle
Travis Halseth1, John W. McChesney2,, Mark DeBeliso2, Ross Vaughn3, Jeff Lien4
1Athletic Department, University of the Pacific, USA
2Department of Kinesiology, Boise State University, USA
3College of Education, Boise State University, USA
4Athletic Department, Boise State University, USA

John W. McChesney
✉ Director Athletic Training Education Program, Athletic Training/Motor Control Research Laboratory,Department of Kinesiology, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83725, USA
Email:
Received: 06-09-2003 -- Accepted: 21-11-2003
Published (online): 01-03-2004

ABSTRACT

An experiment was designed to determine if Kinesio™ taping the anterior and lateral portion of the ankle would enhance ankle proprioception compared to the untaped ankle. 30 subjects, 15 men, 15 women, ages 18-30 participated in this study. Exclusion criteria: Ankle injury < 6 months prior to testing, significant ligament laxity as determined through clinical evaluation by an ATC, or any severe foot abnormality. Experiment utilized a single group, pretest and posttest. Plantar flexion and inversion with 20° of plantar flexion reproduction of joint position sense (RJPS) was determined using an ankle RJPS apparatus. Subjects were barefooted, blindfolded, and equipped with headphones playing white noise to eliminate auditory cues. Subjects had five trials in both plantar flexion and inversion with 20° plantar flexion before and after application of the Kinesio™ tape to the anterior/lateral portion of the ankle. Constant error and absolute error were determined from the difference between the target angle and the trial angle produced by the subject. The treatment group (Kinesio™ taped subjects) showed no change in constant and absolute error for ankle RJPS in plantar flexion and 20° of plantar flexion with inversion when compared to the untaped results using the same motions. The application of Kinesio™ tape does not appear to enhance proprioception (in terms of RJPS) in healthy individuals as determined by our measures of RJPS at the ankle in the motions of plantar flexion and 20° of plantar flexion with inversion.

Key words: Reproduction of joint position sense, Kinesio™ Tape, target angle

Key Points
  • Proprioception research
  • Evaluation of a new taping method
  • Augmentation of sensory feedback
  • Rehabilitation technique








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