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NCT Number: NCT07138573

Kinesio Taping for the Knee and Ankle: Acute Impact on Balance, Proprioception, and ACL Risk

This study aims to evaluate and compare the acute effects of Kinesio taping applied to the knee and ankle on balance, proprioception, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Designed as a randomized crossover trial, the study will include 24 healthy volleyball athletes with at least 5 years of experience. All participants will receive both ankle and knee taping interventions, separated by a one-week washout period. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: before and after each taping. Outcome measures include the Y-Balance Test, proprioception tests, and LESS.

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Key information

Conditions

ACL Injury Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Balance Kinesiotape Knee Injuries Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) Leg Injuries Proprioception Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gaziosmapasa University

Tokat Province, 60100, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate and compare the acute effects of Kinesio taping applied to the knee and ankle on balance, proprioception, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk, assessed via the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS).

Methods:

A randomized crossover design will be used. The study will be conducted at Gazi University with 24 healthy adult volleyball athletes (≥18 years) who have been licensed players for at least 5 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to two experimental sequences:

Group A: knee taping followed by ankle taping

Group B: ankle taping followed by knee taping Each taping intervention will be separated by a one-week washout period. Assessments will be performed immediately before and after each taping session.

Knee taping will be performed using a valgus-control spiral taping technique with 50% stretch. Ankle taping will be conducted using the "figure-of-eight" method, also with 50% stretch. All applications will be administered by the same licensed physiotherapist to ensure consistency.

Outcome Measures:

Balance: Y-Balance Test (anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral reach)

Proprioception: Joint position sense tests for the knee and ankle (with eyes closed, angular replication tasks)

Injury Risk: LESS test evaluating landing biomechanics and scoring 17 specific kinematic errors

Statistical analyses will be performed using SPSS v24.0. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests will be used depending on data normality. A significance level of p<0.05 will be adopted.

Expected Results:

Kinesio taping is expected to acutely enhance proprioceptive feedback and postural control in both the knee and ankle, resulting in improved landing mechanics and a reduction in ACL injury risk. The relative effectiveness of each taping site will also be compared.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Volunteering to participate in the study
  • Being 18 years of age or older
  • Being a licensed and regular volleyball player for at least 5 years

Exclusion criteria

  • Being enrolled in another study or treatment program
  • Being unable to complete the study for any other reason
  • Having suffered a lower extremity injury within 6 months prior to participating in the study
  • Female participants must be in their menstrual cycle

Treatment and study plan

Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to the knee then ankle

Procedure

Procedure/Surgery: Procedure/Surgery: Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to the knee or ankle Kinesio taping was applied using a standard Y-strip with approximately 50% tension over the dominant lower extremity. In the "Knee Taping" condition, the tape was applied over the vastus medialis oblique and patellar tendon. In the "Ankle Taping" condition, the tape was applied over the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles. Each taping intervention was performed by a trained physiotherapist and remained in place during the assessment session. The purpose of the intervention is to examine the acute effects of kinesio taping on balance, proprioception, and ACL injury risk using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS).

Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to the ankle then knee

Procedure

Kinesio taping was applied using a standard Y-strip with approximately 50% tension over the dominant lower extremity. In the "Knee Taping" condition, the tape was applied over the vastus medialis oblique and patellar tendon. In the "Ankle Taping" condition, the tape was applied over the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles. Each taping intervention was performed by a trained physiotherapist and remained in place during the assessment session. The purpose of the intervention is to examine the acute effects of kinesio taping on balance, proprioception, and ACL injury risk using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS).

Primary outcomes

  1. Landing biomechanics score based on LESS (Landing Error Scoring System)

    Time frame: "Immediately after each taping intervention (same day)"

    The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) is a reliable observational tool used to identify high-risk movement patterns associated with ACL injury. Participants will perform a standardized drop-jump task, and movement errors will be scored using the LESS protocol. A higher score indicates greater movement dysfunction and a potentially elevated risk of ACL injury. The scoring will be performed by a trained assessor using video analysis from frontal and sagittal views.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Dynamic balance score based on the Y-Balance Test

    Time frame: "Immediately after each taping intervention (same day)"

    The Y-Balance Test is a reliable clinical tool used to assess dynamic balance and neuromuscular control of the lower extremity. Participants will be asked to perform maximal reach in three directions (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral) while maintaining single-leg stance on the dominant leg. The composite score will be calculated based on reach distances normalized to leg length.

  2. Proprioception accuracy based on joint position sense

    Time frame: "Immediately after each taping intervention (same day)"

    Joint position sense (JPS) will be assessed using a digital inclinometer to evaluate the ability to reproduce specific knee and ankle joint angles. Participants will be blindfolded and asked to actively replicate a target angle, and the absolute angular error (in degrees) between target and replicated positions will be recorded. Lower error indicates better proprioceptive accuracy.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Zuhal Şevval Gökdere

CONTACT

[email protected]

05300696373

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation and Comparison of the Acute Effects of Kinesio Taping Applied to the Knee and Ankle in the Lower Extremity on Balance, Proprioception, and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk Using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS)

Acronym: ACL

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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