Background and purpose: Ankle inversion sprains are the commonest injuries of the lower extremities. Taping is routinely used after ankle sprain to support the joint and prevent reinjury. The effect of taping on functional performance in participants after ankle sprain has received little attention and generally with inconsistent findings. Besides, the perception of confidence and reassurance that may come with the ankle being taped might lead to the improvement of functional mobility performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of rigid ankle tape and fibular tape on functional performance, self-efficacy and perceived stability, confidence and reassurance during functional tasks in participants with functional ankle instability. Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial. Forty subjects with functional ankle instability will be recruited and randomly assigned into the rigid tape group and the fibular tape group. Participants will perform functional mobility tests with and without the ankle taped. The functional tests are: figure-8 hopping test, lateral hopping test, star excursion balance test (SEBT), single-leg stance and stair decent test. Secondary outcome measures were self-efficacy and perception measure. Statistics: Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to determine the effects of intervention on each dependent variable. Model effects were group, time (pre, post), and their interaction. Post hoc pairwise comparisons between pre and post in each group, and independent t test between groups, were used to document the difference. The statistical significance was set at p less than 0.05.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
30
This taping method used an anchor, two stirrups, three figure-six's (two preventing inversion and one preventing eversion), heel lock and a lock off. Adhesive rigid strapping tape (Leuko Sports Tape, Beiersdorf Australia Ltd, North Ryde) of 3.8 cm thickness was used for all participants
This taping method used a rigid strapping tape to reinforce a posterior-superior mobilisation of the distal fibula. Tension was applied on the tape in a posterior and superior direction. Adhesive rigid strapping tape (Leuko Sports Tape, Beiersdorf Australia Ltd, North Ryde) of 3.8 cm thickness was used for all participants
National Yang-Ming University
Taipei, Taiwan
Figure-8 hopping test
This test consists of hopping twice around a 5 m course on the test foot in a figure-8, as quickly as possible. The time taken for the participant to complete two circuits of the figure-8 was measured using a stopwatch, and the average of the two best times out of three attempts was recorded.
Time frame: Change from baseline at one hour
Lateral hopping test
participants were instructed to hop laterally 30 cm and back for a total of 10 repetitions. The total time was recorded with a handheld stopwatch to the nearest 0.01 second.
Time frame: Change from baseline at one hour
Star excursion balance test
This test examined the ability to balance on the affected leg while reaching in various directions with the other foot. Participants stood on the test foot at the central point, and using the other foot reached as far as possible in each of three of the 8 directions of the star excursion balance test (anterior, posterior and postero-medial, relative to the test foot). Only three directions were used due to redundancy among the eight directions. Participants made three attempts in each test direction with the average of the best two attempts for each direction recorded in centimetre
Time frame: Change from baseline at one hour
Single-leg stance test
Participants were instructed to balance on one leg for 30 s with their eyes closed, arms at their side, and the other foot touching the medial side of the supporting calf. If they lost their balance, participants were instructed to keep their eyes closed and attempt to re-establish their balance. The number of foot movements made by the stance foot during the 30 s was counted. A foot movement was counted if any of the following occurred: loss of contact with the ground by any part of the foot; a change in foot direction; or each instance when the contralateral foot touched the ground. The lowest total number of foot movements from three attempts was recorded.
Time frame: Change from baseline at one hour
Stair decent test
Participants were instructed to run down a flight of 11 stairs as quickly as possible, ensuring that they made contact with every step with one foot, and without using the handrail.The time taken from the first step to touchdown by both feet at the bottom of the flight of stairs was measured. The two best times out of three attempts was averaged.
Time frame: Change from baseline at one hour
Self-efficacy questionnaire
The self-efficacy questionnaire was modified from the pain self-efficacy questionnaire, to compare participants' self-reported confidence in performing a range of functionally challenging tasks. The questionnaire consisted of 17 items related to tasks of increasing difficulty. Participants rated their level of confidence in their ability to perform each activity.
Time frame: Change from baseline at one hour
Self-perception measure
Three perception measures were recorded at the completion of each functional test to determine whether there was a difference in participants' perceptions between the tape and no tape conditions. Participants recorded their perception of ankle stability, confidence and reassurance. Stability was defined as "how stable your ankle felt during the test", confidence as "how positive you felt during the test", and reassurance as "how safe you felt during the test".
Time frame: Change from baseline at one hour
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