Effects of Different Kinesio Taping Techniques on Plantar Fascia Stiffness, Balance, and Ankle Joint Position Sense in Healthy Young Adults (KT-PF)

The Effects of Different Kinesio Taping Techniques on Plantar Fascia Stiffness, Balance, and Ankle Joint Position Sense in Healthy Young Adults

This randomized controlled study aimed to compare the short-term effects of three different kinesio taping techniques on plantar fascia elasticity, dynamic balance, and ankle joint position sense in healthy young adults. A total of 120 participants aged 18-25 years were randomly assigned to facilitation kinesio taping, ankle stabilization taping, or sham taping groups. Plantar fascia mechanical properties were assessed using MyotonPRO, dynamic balance was evaluated with the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), and joint position sense was measured using the active angle reproduction method. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after tape application.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Young Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Facilitation Kinesio Taping; Device: Ankle Stabilization Taping; Device: Sham Taping

Detailed Description

Kinesio taping is commonly used to improve neuromuscular control, proprioception, and lower-extremity biomechanics. However, the comparative effects of different kinesio taping techniques on plantar fascia mechanical behavior and functional performance remain unclear. This study was designed as a prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of facilitation kinesio taping, ankle stabilization taping, and sham taping on plantar fascia elasticity, dynamic balance, and ankle joint position sense.

A total of 120 healthy young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated into three intervention groups. Group 1 received facilitation kinesio taping, Group 2 received ankle stabilization taping, and Group 3 received sham taping. Plantar fascia viscoelastic properties including frequency, stiffness, relaxation time, and creep were evaluated using the MyotonPRO device. Dynamic balance performance was assessed using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), and ankle joint position sense was evaluated using the active angle reproduction method with the Dr.Goniometer application.

Measurements were performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after tape application. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether different kinesio taping methods produce different short-term effects on plantar fascia elasticity and lower-extremity function.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 134
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Beylikduzu
    • Istanbul, Beylikduzu, Turkey (Türkiye), 34520
      • Istanbul Aydin University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy young adults aged 18-25 years
• No history of lower extremity injury affecting ankle function
• Full, pain-free ankle range of motion in all directions

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of ankle dislocation or fracture within the previous year
• Previous foot or ankle surgery
• Pain during ankle movements
• Open wounds or skin allergy preventing kinesio taping application
• Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment affecting participation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Facilitation KT Group; Participants received facilitation kinesio taping applied to the plantar fascia.	Device: Facilitation Kinesio Taping; Facilitation kinesio taping was applied to support plantar fascia function.
Experimental: Ankle Stabilization KT Group; Participants received ankle stabilization kinesio taping intervention.	Device: Ankle Stabilization Taping; Ankle stabilization taping was applied to improve ankle stability and proprioceptive control.
Sham Comparator: Sham Taping Group; Participants received sham taping without therapeutic tension or corrective technique.	Device: Sham Taping; Sham taping was applied without therapeutic tension or corrective technique.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in plantar fascia frequency measured by MyotonPRO	Plantar fascia frequency will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. The measurement evaluates the oscillation frequency of the plantar fascia tissue following mechanical impulse application. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention
Change in plantar fascia stiffness measured by MyotonPRO	Plantar fascia stiffness(N/m) will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. The measurement represents the resistance of plantar fascia tissue to external mechanical deformation. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention
Change in plantar fascia decrement measured by MyotonPRO	Plantar fascia decrement will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. Decrement represents the mechanical damping characteristics and elasticity of the plantar fascia tissue. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention
Change in plantar fascia relaxation time measured by MyotonPRO	Plantar fascia relaxation(ms) time will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. Relaxation time represents the time required for the tissue to return toward its baseline mechanical state after mechanical deformation. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention
Change in plantar fascia creep measured by MyotonPRO	Plantar fascia creep(De) will be assessed using the MyotonPRO device. Creep represents the gradual deformation behavior of plantar fascia tissue under mechanical loading. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in anterior reach distance measured by modified Star Excursion Balance Test	Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the anterior reach direction of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Reach distance will be normalized to limb length and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention
Change in posteromedial reach distance measured by modified Star Excursion Balance Test	Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the posteromedial reach direction of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Reach distance will be normalized to limb length and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention
Change in posterolateral reach distance measured by modified Star Excursion Balance Test	Dynamic balance performance will be assessed using the posterolateral reach direction of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Reach distance will be normalized to limb length and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention
Change in composite score of modified Star Excursion Balance Test	The composite score of dynamic balance performance will be calculated from anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach distances obtained during the modified Star Excursion Balance Test. The composite score will be normalized to limb length and reported as a percentage. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention
Change in ankle joint position sense accuracy measured by active angle reproduction method	Ankle joint position sense will be assessed using the active angle reproduction method with the Dr.Goniometer application. Participants will reproduce target ankle positions of 5 degrees plantar flexion and 5 degrees dorsiflexion. The absolute difference between the target angle and reproduced angle will be recorded as angular error. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 24 hours, and 48 hours after kinesio taping intervention.	Baseline, 24 hours after intervention, and 48 hours after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Beykent
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Yasemin Şahbaz, Assistant Professor, PhD, Istanbul Beykent University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Hosseini R. Effects of Different Kinesio Taping Methods on Plantar Fascia Elasticity, Balance, Vertical Jump Performance, Ankle Function, and Joint Position Sense. Master's Thesis. Istanbul Aydin University, Graduate Education Institute, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 2025.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): September 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 26, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 11, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 15, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 11, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Balance; Proprioception; Kinesio Taping; MyotonPRO; Plantar Fascia Elasticity; mSEBT
• Other Study ID Numbers: KT-PF-2025-IST-01; IAU-ETHICS-116-2025 (Other Identifier: Istanbul Aydin University)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No