Effects of Combined Exercise and Kinesio Taping on Balance and Jump Performance in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability (NR-CAI)

September 9, 2026 updated by: Elizabeta Dodaj, Sport University of Tirana

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.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

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 Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
80

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Albania
      • Tirana, Albania, 1001
        • Sport University of Tirana

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria: History of at least one ankle sprain occurring at least 12 months prior to enrollment.

Presence of clinical signs of pain and inflammation. Most recent ankle sprain occurring at least 3 months before study inclusion. History of more than two episodes of "giving way". Self-reported ankle instability assessed using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) with a score of ≤25 points.

Exclusion Criteria:

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.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Combined Rehabilitation Group
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
Other: Exercise Program with Kinesio Taping
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.
Experimental: Exercise Only Group
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.
Other: Balance and Strength Exercise Program
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.
No Intervention: Control Group
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 the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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.
From baseline assessment to post-intervention assessment after 6 weeks
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.
Baseline and after the 6-week intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Ankle Inversion and Eversion Muscle Strength
Time Frame: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
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).
Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Drop Jump Contact Time
Time Frame: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
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.
Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
Reactive Strength Ratio (RSR)
Time Frame: Baseline and after the 6-week intervention
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.
Baseline and after the 6-week intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Sport University of Tirana

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 20, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 2, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 2, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 11, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 14, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 9, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • CAI-RTC-2024-ALB

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

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.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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