Effects of Ankle Support on Muscle Activation and Function

March 3, 2016 updated by: Creighton University
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of ankle taping on improving muscle function and ankle motion in individuals who frequently twist (sprain) their ankle. It is thought that ankle taping may increase muscle function and ankle motion which would benefit individuals who frequently sprain their ankle.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Previous research has demonstrated improved dynamic balance following the application of fibular taping. The effects of fibular taping on ankle dorsiflexion ROM and muscle activation in individuals with CAI are unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the acute effects of fibular taping on muscle activation of the fibularis longus (peroneus) and soleus muscles, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and dynamic balance. The investigators hypothesize that fibular taping will have similar effectiveness as mobilization interventions which have been shown to improve muscle activation, ankle dorsiflexion ROM,and dynamic balance. Outcomes will be measured immediately before and after intervention. A crossover design will be used and participants will complete two visits at least 48 hours apart, but not more than 1 week apart. After participants complete both arms of the study their participation will be complete (average time to completion for each subject is 1 week).

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

26

Phase

  • 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

  • United States
    • Nebraska
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68178
        • Creighton University

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

Ages Eligible for Study

16 years to 45 years (ADULT, CHILD)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 16-45 years
  • History of one or more ankle sprains
  • Scoring at least an 85% on the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Sport or at least 3 on the Modified Ankle Instability Instrument (AII).
  • At least 5° ankle dorsiflexion asymmetry compared to the contralateral limb OR ankle dorsiflexion ROM less than 21°

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Lower extremity injury or surgery within the past 6 months (including lateral ankle sprain)
  • Diagnosed ankle osteoarthritis
  • History of ankle surgery that involves intra-articular fixation
  • Potential for current pregnancy

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: CROSSOVER
  • Masking: TRIPLE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Fibular Taping
With the ankle in a neutral position, two strips of nonrigid hypoallergenic tape will be applied beginning at the distal aspect of the fibula, wrapping around the posterior aspect of the leg, and finishing superior and medial to the starting point. Next,a strip of rigid zinc oxide tape will be applied to the distal aspect of the fibula with tension.
Other: Fibular Taping
Tape with be applied with tension.
SHAM_COMPARATOR: Sham Taping
Sham taping will be applied in the same manner as the fibular taping, but tension will not applied to the zinc oxide tape
Other: Sham Taping
Tape will be applied without tension

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in muscle activation
Time Frame: All study visits up to day 7

To determine the changes in muscle activation of the fibularis longus and soleus muscles following a fibular taping or sham taping intervention in individuals with CAI. Changes in muscle activation will be quantified by assessing the H-reflex technique before and after intervention.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the fibular taping intervention will result in a greater activation of the fibularis longus and soleus muscles than a sham taping intervention.
All study visits up to day 7
Changes in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM)
Time Frame: All study visits up to day 7

To determine the changes in ankle dorsiflexion ROM following a fibular taping or sham taping intervention in individuals with CAI. Changes in ankle dorsiflexion ROM will be quantified using a weight bearing lunge.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the fibular taping intervention will result in a greater improvement in ankle dorsiflexion ROM than the sham taping intervention.
All study visits up to day 7
Changes in dynamic balance
Time Frame: All study visits up to day 7

To determine the acute changes in balance following a fibular taping or sham taping intervention in individuals with CAI. Changes in balance will be quantified using the the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT).

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the fibular taping intervention will result in greater improvements in reach distance in all three SEBT directions compared to the sham taping intervention.
All study visits up to day 7

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Creighton University

Collaborators

American Physical Therapy Association

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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

March 1, 2011

Primary Completion (ACTUAL)

March 1, 2012

Study Completion (ACTUAL)

March 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 22, 2011

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 25, 2011

First Posted (ESTIMATE)

August 26, 2011

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE)

March 4, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 3, 2016

Last Verified

April 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 11-16018

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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