Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation

Abstract

Ankle ROM and proprioception are components of rehabilitation. Kinesio Tape (KT) is theorized to increase ROM and proprioception. KT is lacking in the literature in regards to proprioception and ROM more specifically in the ankle area. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of KT on ankle proprioception and ROM. DESIGN: Pretest-posttest randomized group design. Participants were assigned to one of two groups (with KT and without KT). Both groups ankle ROM was measured in all directions and 4 trials of 20 seconds. Then a five minute rest for the control group or have KT application within 5 minutes as the experimental group. ROM was then re-measured PARTICIPANTS: 35 healthy subjects, ages 18-40 with no history of ankle surgeries or unexplainable falls volunteered to participate. Volunteers were randomly selected and divided into two groups. (control group= 18, KT group= 17) with 15 males and 20 females. RESULTS: ANOVA results indicated no significance difference between groups of pre OSI scores and the post OSI scores (p= 0.40). The homogenous values, there was no significant difference in the total means of the pre KT application when compared to the KT application. Levine’s test indicated there was no significant difference (p= 0.198, p= 0.156). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that KT has no effect on ankle proprioception and ROM. More specifically, research suggests positive outcomes for healthy individuals however; future studies should investigate KT effects on individuals with injured ankles. In order to fully understand the effect of KT on proprioception, further research should investigate injured and iv non-injured effects on healthy, injured and different joints may aid practitioners in appropriate use of KT for treatment and rehabilitation for ROM and proproceptive deficits.

Share

COinS