Healthy Young Adults
Conditions
Keywords
Kinesio Taping, Plantar Fascia Elasticity, Proprioception, Balance, mSEBT, MyotonPRO
Brief summary
This randomized controlled study aimed to compare the short-term effects of three different kinesio taping techniques on plantar fascia elasticity, dynamic balance, and ankle joint position sense in healthy young adults. A total of 120 participants aged 18-25 years were randomly assigned to facilitation kinesio taping, ankle stabilization taping, or sham taping groups. Plantar fascia mechanical properties were assessed using MyotonPRO, dynamic balance was evaluated with the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), and joint position sense was measured using the active angle reproduction method. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after tape application.
Detailed description
Kinesio taping is commonly used to improve neuromuscular control, proprioception, and lower-extremity biomechanics. However, the comparative effects of different kinesio taping techniques on plantar fascia mechanical behavior and functional performance remain unclear. This study was designed as a prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of facilitation kinesio taping, ankle stabilization taping, and sham taping on plantar fascia elasticity, dynamic balance, and ankle joint position sense. A total of 120 healthy young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated into three intervention groups. Group 1 received facilitation kinesio taping, Group 2 received ankle stabilization taping, and Group 3 received sham taping. Plantar fascia viscoelastic properties including frequency, stiffness, relaxation time, and creep were evaluated using the MyotonPRO device. Dynamic balance performance was assessed using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), and ankle joint position sense was evaluated using the active angle reproduction method with the Dr.Goniometer application. Measurements were performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after tape application. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether different kinesio taping methods produce different short-term effects on plantar fascia elasticity and lower-extremity function.
Interventions
DEVICEFacilitation Kinesio Taping
Facilitation kinesio taping was applied to support plantar fascia function.
DEVICEAnkle Stabilization Taping
Ankle stabilization taping was applied to improve ankle stability and proprioceptive control.
DEVICESham Taping
Sham taping was applied without therapeutic tension or corrective technique.
Sponsors
University of Beykent
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Participants were blinded to group allocation during the study period. Group assignment was performed using a computer-generated randomization program. The researcher who applied the taping interventions also performed the outcome assessments and was not blinded.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three parallel intervention groups: facilitation kinesio taping, ankle stabilization kinesio taping, or sham taping. Each participant received only one assigned intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy young adults aged 18-25 years * No history of lower extremity injury affecting ankle function * Full, pain-free ankle range of motion in all directions
Exclusion criteria
* History of ankle dislocation or fracture within the previous year * Previous foot or ankle surgery * Pain during ankle movements * Open wounds or skin allergy preventing kinesio taping application * Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment affecting participation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in plantar fascia frequency measured by MyotonPRO | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Plantar fascia frequency will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. The measurement evaluates the oscillation frequency of the plantar fascia tissue following mechanical impulse application. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
| Change in plantar fascia stiffness measured by MyotonPRO | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Plantar fascia stiffness(N/m) will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. The measurement represents the resistance of plantar fascia tissue to external mechanical deformation. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
| Change in plantar fascia decrement measured by MyotonPRO | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Plantar fascia decrement will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. Decrement represents the mechanical damping characteristics and elasticity of the plantar fascia tissue. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention. |
| Change in plantar fascia relaxation time measured by MyotonPRO | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Plantar fascia relaxation(ms) time will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. Relaxation time represents the time required for the tissue to return toward its baseline mechanical state after mechanical deformation. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
| Change in plantar fascia creep measured by MyotonPRO | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Plantar fascia creep(De) will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. Creep represents the gradual deformation behavior of plantar fascia tissue under mechanical loading. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in anterior reach distance measured by modified Star Excursion Balance Test | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the anterior reach direction of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Reach distance will be normalized to limb length and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
| Change in posteromedial reach distance measured by modified Star Excursion Balance Test | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the posteromedial reach direction of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Reach distance will be normalized to limb length and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
| Change in posterolateral reach distance measured by modified Star Excursion Balance Test | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the posterolateral reach direction of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Reach distance will be normalized to limb length and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
| Change in composite score of modified Star Excursion Balance Test | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | The composite score of dynamic balance performance will be calculated from anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach distances obtained during the modified Star Excursion Balance Test. The composite score will be normalized to limb length and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
| Change in ankle joint position sense accuracy measured by active angle reproduction method | Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention | Ankle joint position sense will be assessed using the active angle reproduction method with the Dr.Goniometer application. Participants will reproduce target ankle positions of 5 degrees plantar flexion and 5 degrees dorsiflexion. The absolute difference between the target angle and reproduced angle will be recorded as angular error. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORYasemin Şahbaz, Asst Prof
Istanbul Beykent University
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORDemet Biçki, Asst Prof
Istanbul Aydın University
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORErtuğrul Safren, Asst Prof
Independent Researcher
Outcome results
None listed