Chronic Ankle InstabilityNR-CAINCT07427290
Effects of Combined Exercise and Kinesio Taping on Balance and Jump Performance in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability
A study testing Balance and Strength Exercise Program and Exercise Program with Kinesio Taping in people with Chronic Ankle Instability, run by Sport University of Tirana at 1 site in Albania.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a combined neuromuscular rehabilitation program improves static balance, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength in athletes with chronic ankle instability. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- What is being tested?
- Balance and Strength Exercise Program and Exercise Program with Kinesio Taping
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 siteAlbania
- Study dates
- 20 Nov 2024to 2 May 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
None listed.
Who cannot join
- History of musculoskeletal surgery. Presence of orthopedic conditions such as lower-limb fractures. Any musculoskeletal injury within the 3 months preceding the study. Known neurological disorders that could influence balance performance. Known vestibular disorders that could influence balance performance.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a combined neuromuscular rehabilitation program improves static balance, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength in athletes with chronic ankle instability. It will also examine whether the addition of kinesio taping provides additional effects compared with exercise alone.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
Does a six-week balance and strength exercise program improve static postural control in athletes with chronic ankle instability? Does the rehabilitation program improve countermovement jump performance, drop jump performance, and ankle inversion and eversion muscle strength? Does adding kinesio taping to the exercise program lead to greater improvements in balance, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength compared with exercise alone?
Researchers will compare three groups: an exercise group, an exercise plus kinesio taping group, and a control group, to evaluate the effects of the rehabilitation program and the potential additional effects of kinesio taping.
Participants will:
Take part in a supervised rehabilitation program three times per week for six weeks (intervention groups).
Perform balance training on a wobble board and strength exercises using elastic resistance bands.
Receive kinesio taping before each rehabilitation session if assigned to the taping group.
Undergo assessments before and after the intervention, including force-plate measurements of static balance, countermovement jump and drop jump performance, and dynamometer measurements of ankle inversion and eversion muscle strength.
Read the detailed description
Chronic ankle instability is a frequent condition among athletes and is associated with recurrent ankle sprains, impaired proprioception, muscle weakness, and deficits in postural control. These impairments may negatively influence functional and athletic performance and increase the risk of further injury. Neuromuscular rehabilitation programs that combine balance and strength training are commonly used to address these deficits; however, evidence regarding the additional value of adjunctive interventions such as kinesio taping remains limited.
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a structured neuromuscular rehabilitation program on static balance, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength in athletes with chronic ankle instability, and to determine whether the addition of kinesio taping provides additional effects. Participants meeting the eligibility criteria for chronic ankle instability were recruited and randomly allocated to one of three study groups.
The intervention consisted of a supervised six-week rehabilitation program focused on balance and strength exercises targeting the ankle joint. One intervention group received kinesio taping before each training session in addition to the exercise program, while the other intervention group performed the same rehabilitation program without taping. The control group continued its usual activities without receiving the specific rehabilitation program.
Participants underwent laboratory-based assessments before and after the intervention period. Static postural control was assessed using force-plate measurements. Jump performance was evaluated using countermovement jump and drop jump assessments, including countermovement jump height, drop jump ground contact time, and the flight time-to-contact time ratio as an indicator of reactive performance. Ankle muscle strength was assessed by measuring isometric inversion and eversion strength using a dynamometer.
The study design allowed comparison of changes in static postural control, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength among the three groups following the six-week intervention. The findings are intended to provide clinically relevant evidence for physiotherapists and sports rehabilitation professionals regarding exercise-based conservative management of chronic ankle instability and the potential additional effects of kinesio taping.
- Conditions
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- Being tested
- Balance and Strength Exercise Program, Exercise Program with Kinesio Taping
- Keywords
- Balance Training, Kinesio Taping, Strength Training, Chronik Ankle Instability, Static Balance, Vertical Jump, Drop Jump
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Balance and Strength Exercise ProgramOther
A structured rehabilitation program consisting of balance training on a wobble board and ankle strengthening exercises using Thera-Band. Sessions were performed three times per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. Exercises included single-leg balance tasks with progressive difficulty and strengthening exercises targeting dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion.
Exercise Program with Kinesio TapingOther
The same six-week balance and strength rehabilitation program as in the Exercise Group, combined with Kinesio Taping applied to the ankle before each training session. Taping was applied by a certified physiotherapist using a standardized technique to enhance proprioceptive input and neuromuscular activation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Rehabilitation Group | Experimental | Participants in this group received a combined rehabilitation program consisting of balance and strength exercises together with kinesio taping applied to the ankle. The intervention was performed according to a standardized protocol for improving balance and ankle stability Receives: Other: Exercise Program with Kinesio Taping |
| Exercise Only Group | Experimental | Participants in this group received only the exercise program (balance and strength) without kinesio taping. The exercises were identical to those used in the combined group and followed the same duration and frequency. Receives: Other: Balance and Strength Exercise Program |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants in this group did not receive any structured rehabilitation intervention during the study period. They continued their usual daily activities without additional therapeutic exercises or kinesio taping. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Static Balance Measured by Center of Pressure Ellipse Area
Static balance will be assessed using a force plate by analyzing center of pressure (COP) parameters, specifically the ellipse area. Measurements will be performed in a single-leg stance position under two conditions: eyes open and eyes closed. Smaller COP ellipse area values indicate better postural control.
Measured: From baseline assessment to post-intervention assessment after 6 weeks
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height
Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance was assessed using the Leonardo Mechanograph GRFP STD force platform (Novotec Medical GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany). Participants performed bilateral countermovement jumps, and jump height was automatically calculated by the manufacturer's software and recorded in meters (m). Three valid trials were performed, separated by approximately 60 seconds of rest, and the highest jump height was used for statistical analysis. Higher values indicated better vertical jump performance.
Measured: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Secondary outcomes (3)
Ankle Inversion and Eversion Muscle Strength
Isometric ankle inversion and eversion muscle strength was assessed using the EasyForce® digital dynamometer (Meloq AB, Stockholm, Sweden). Three maximal voluntary isometric contractions were performed for each movement, and the mean value was used for analysis. Muscle strength was recorded in Newtons (N).
Measured: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Drop Jump Contact Time
Drop jump performance was assessed using the Leonardo Mechanograph GRFP STD force platform (Novotec Medical GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany). Participants performed a bilateral drop jump from a 40-cm platform, followed by an immediate rebound after landing. Three trials were performed, and contact time was recorded in seconds (s). Lower contact time values indicated better reactive performance.
Measured: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Reactive Strength Ratio (RSR)
Reactive Strength Ratio (RSR) was assessed during the drop jump using the Leonardo Mechanograph GRFP force plate system (Novotec Medical GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany). RSR was automatically calculated by the manufacturer's software as the ratio of flight time to ground contact time (ta/tc). Participants performed a bilateral drop jump from a 40-cm platform, followed by an immediate rebound while minimizing ground contact time. Three valid trials were performed, separated by approximately 60 seconds of rest, and the mean value of the three trials was used for analysis. Higher RSR values indicated better reactive performance.
Measured: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Feb 2026
- Study start20 Nov 2024
- Primary completion2 May 2025
- Study completion2 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Ankle InstabilityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sport University of Tirana
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Elizabeta Dodaj, Sport University of Tirana
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07427290
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CAI-RTC-2024-ALB
- Acronym
- NR-CAI
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to confidentiality considerations and institutional data protection policies. Only aggregated, anonymized results will be reported in publications.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Combined Exercise and Kinesio Taping on Balance and Jump Performance in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07427290
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NR-CAI / CAI-RTC-2024-ALB
- Conditions
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- Keywords
- Balance Training, Kinesio Taping, Strength Training, Chronik Ankle Instability, Static Balance, Vertical Jump, Drop Jump
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sport University of TiranaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a combined neuromuscular rehabilitation program improves static balance, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength in athletes with chronic ankle instability. It will also examine whether the addition of kinesio taping provides additional effects compared with exercise alone.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does a six-week balance and strength exercise program improve static postural control in athletes with chronic ankle instability? Does the rehabilitation program improve countermovement jump performance, drop jump performance, and ankle inversion and eversion muscle strength? Does adding kinesio taping to the exercise program lead to greater improvements in balance, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength compared with exercise alone?
Researchers will compare three groups: an exercise group, an exercise plus kinesio taping group, and a control group, to evaluate the effects of the rehabilitation program and the potential additional effects of kinesio taping.
Participants will:
Take part in a supervised rehabilitation program three times per week for six weeks (intervention groups).
Perform balance training on a wobble board and strength exercises using elastic resistance bands.
Receive kinesio taping before each rehabilitation session if assigned to the taping group.
Undergo assessments before and after the intervention, including force-plate measurements of static balance, countermovement jump and drop jump performance, and dynamometer measurements of ankle inversion and eversion muscle strength.
Detailed description
Chronic ankle instability is a frequent condition among athletes and is associated with recurrent ankle sprains, impaired proprioception, muscle weakness, and deficits in postural control. These impairments may negatively influence functional and athletic performance and increase the risk of further injury. Neuromuscular rehabilitation programs that combine balance and strength training are commonly used to address these deficits; however, evidence regarding the additional value of adjunctive interventions such as kinesio taping remains limited.
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a structured neuromuscular rehabilitation program on static balance, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength in athletes with chronic ankle instability, and to determine whether the addition of kinesio taping provides additional effects. Participants meeting the eligibility criteria for chronic ankle instability were recruited and randomly allocated to one of three study groups.
The intervention consisted of a supervised six-week rehabilitation program focused on balance and strength exercises targeting the ankle joint. One intervention group received kinesio taping before each training session in addition to the exercise program, while the other intervention group performed the same rehabilitation program without taping. The control group continued its usual activities without receiving the specific rehabilitation program.
Participants underwent laboratory-based assessments before and after the intervention period. Static postural control was assessed using force-plate measurements. Jump performance was evaluated using countermovement jump and drop jump assessments, including countermovement jump height, drop jump ground contact time, and the flight time-to-contact time ratio as an indicator of reactive performance. Ankle muscle strength was assessed by measuring isometric inversion and eversion strength using a dynamometer.
The study design allowed comparison of changes in static postural control, jump performance, and ankle muscle strength among the three groups following the six-week intervention. The findings are intended to provide clinically relevant evidence for physiotherapists and sports rehabilitation professionals regarding exercise-based conservative management of chronic ankle instability and the potential additional effects of kinesio taping.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Rehabilitation Group | Experimental | Other: Exercise Program with Kinesio TapingParticipants in this group received a combined rehabilitation program consisting of balance and strength exercises together with kinesio taping applied to the ankle. The intervention was performed according to a standardized protocol for improving balance and ankle stability |
| Exercise Only Group | Experimental | Other: Balance and Strength Exercise ProgramParticipants in this group received only the exercise program (balance and strength) without kinesio taping. The exercises were identical to those used in the combined group and followed the same duration and frequency. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants in this group did not receive any structured rehabilitation intervention during the study period. They continued their usual daily activities without additional therapeutic exercises or kinesio taping. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (0 listed)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- History of musculoskeletal surgery. Presence of orthopedic conditions such as lower-limb fractures. Any musculoskeletal injury within the 3 months preceding the study. Known neurological disorders that could influence balance performance. Known vestibular disorders that could influence balance performance.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Balance and Strength Exercise ProgramA structured rehabilitation program consisting of balance training on a wobble board and ankle strengthening exercises using Thera-Band. Sessions were performed three times per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. Exercises included single-leg balance tasks with progressive difficulty and strengthening exercises targeting dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion. | Other | Exercise Only Group |
| Exercise Program with Kinesio TapingThe same six-week balance and strength rehabilitation program as in the Exercise Group, combined with Kinesio Taping applied to the ankle before each training session. Taping was applied by a certified physiotherapist using a standardized technique to enhance proprioceptive input and neuromuscular activation. | Other | Combined Rehabilitation Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Static Balance Measured by Center of Pressure Ellipse Area
Time frame: From baseline assessment to post-intervention assessment after 6 weeks
Static balance will be assessed using a force plate by analyzing center of pressure (COP) parameters, specifically the ellipse area. Measurements will be performed in a single-leg stance position under two conditions: eyes open and eyes closed. Smaller COP ellipse area values indicate better postural control.
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height
Time frame: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance was assessed using the Leonardo Mechanograph GRFP STD force platform (Novotec Medical GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany). Participants performed bilateral countermovement jumps, and jump height was automatically calculated by the manufacturer's software and recorded in meters (m). Three valid trials were performed, separated by approximately 60 seconds of rest, and the highest jump height was used for statistical analysis. Higher values indicated better vertical jump performance.
3 secondary outcomes
Ankle Inversion and Eversion Muscle Strength
Time frame: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Drop Jump Contact Time
Time frame: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Reactive Strength Ratio (RSR)
Time frame: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to confidentiality considerations and institutional data protection policies. Only aggregated, anonymized results will be reported in publications.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Balance and Strength Exercise Program and Exercise Program with Kinesio Taping in people with Chronic Ankle Instability, run by Sport University of Tirana at 1 site in Albania.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 0 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Albania. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Static Balance Measured by Center of Pressure Ellipse Area (time frame: From baseline assessment to post-intervention assessment after 6 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Sep 2026.