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Phys. Ther. Korea 2020; 27(4): 292-297

Published online November 20, 2020

https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2020.27.4.292

© Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy

Effect of Taping and Virtual Reality Combined Exercise on Static and Dynamic Balance With Functional Ankle Instability

Ki-jong Kim , PT, PhD, Mi-yeong Gang , OT, PhD

Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Woosong University, Daejeon, Korea

Correspondence to: Mi-yeong Gang
E-mail: miyeong@wsu.ac.kr
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9361-7581

Received: October 5, 2020; Revised: October 27, 2020; Accepted: October 27, 2020

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities. The sprain can cause functional ankle instability (FAI), and it is very important to treat FAI. However, the optimum intervention method for FAI has yet to be determined.
Objects: This study investigated the impact that virtual reality (VR) training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI.
Methods: Twenty-two people were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented a virtual reality exercise program for 30 minutes a day. Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was used for the VR intervention three times a week for four weeks. The control group performed only two measurements without intervention.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in overall, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations.

Keywords: Ankle Joint, Athletic tape, Joint instability, Postural balance, Rehabilitation, Virtual reality

An ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities [1]. Functional ankle instability (FAI) is characterized by recurrent ankle sprains and/or feelings of joint instability. The risk factors of FAI include muscle weakness and the lack of proprioceptive sense, it may lead to a significant impairment in postural control and balance [2,3].

A variety of exercise programs were used as an intervention for FAI, and conservative treatment interventions including balance, proprioceptive, and muscle strengthening exercises are effective for patients with FAI [4]. Therapeutic ankle taping is thought to enhance proprioceptive acuity by increased stimulation of the cutaneous mechanoreceptors [5]. In addition, taping is using to restore proper muscle function by facilitation or inhibiting muscular contraction, and to improve blood follow and lymphatic drainage [6]. However, the relationship between postural stability and ankle taping during static and dynamic balance activities is still unknown.

Virtual reality (VR) can be described as a high-quality user and computer interface that enables real-time simulation and interaction via multiple sensory systems [7]. A recently popular intervention that may improve postural control is a VR training program as physical and occupational therapy [8-11]. VR training programs were not easy to be applying due to restrictive usefulness or high cost. One of the VR devices is the Nintendo Wii Fit program is low-cost and useful for exercising, which consists of the exercise-based game included joint flexibility, muscular strength, and balance [12]. Despite the benefits, there is unclear the effectiveness of static and dynamic balance using the VR program and taping combined exercise on FAI. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact that VR training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI.

1. Subjects

The subjects of this study were selected when conditions of 24 or less were met in the Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT) questionnaire for university students who experienced an ankle sprain in the past and felt ankle instability afterward [13]. Those with orthopedic, neurological, and other diseases that could affect the results of the study were excluded. Finally, all subjects were fully explained for the purpose and method of the study, and they voluntarily agreed to join this project. Twenty-two people (male: 5, female: 17) were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The control group performed only two measurements without intervention. The general characteristics of the subjects were age 21.6 ± 2.3, height 166.1 ± 5.9, and weight 61.7 ± 7.8. All the study methods and procedures were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

2. Taping Application and Virtual Reality Exercise

The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented the VR exercise program. The taping was wrapped twice in the figure of 8 technique from the center of the soles to the ankles for the experimental group while maintaining the dorsiflexion position (Figure 1A).

Figure 1. (A) The ankle kinesio taping and (B) the virtual reality exercise.

This exercise was conducted three times a week for four weeks as an ankle reinforced exercise using a VR exercise program, followed by warm-up exercise (5 minutes), intervention (20 minutes), and cool-down exercise (5 minutes). The research exercise carried out five strengths (e.g., lunge, single leg extension, sideways leg lift, single leg twist, rowing squat) and five balanced (e.g., soccer heading, ski slalom, tight rope walk, table tilt, snowboard slalom) exercises among the programs built into the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo Inc., Kyoto, Japan) for VR exercise programs (Figure 1B).

The intensity of the strength exercise in VR was set to increase the intensity of exercises by repeating it 10 times until 1 to 2 weeks, and by repeating it 20 times between 3 to 4 weeks. The balanced exercises were adjusted according to the level of development of the subjects from beginner to advance. Each VR exercise took a different time, so the authors set the total time not to exceed 20 minutes [14].

3. Measurement

Biodex balance system® (BBS; Biodex Medical System Inc., Shirley, NY, USA) can measure static and dynamic balance (1 to 12 levels) and can acquire data such as overall stability, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index (unit: degree). In this study, the static balance was first measured, and then the dynamic balance was measured for FAI. The static and dynamic balance used the calculated average value by measuring a total of three times each, and a single assessment was set to rest 10 seconds after evaluating 30 seconds. A total of two measurements were taken for both groups in the first week and in the fourth week, and the dynamic balance was set at level 2.

4. Statistical Analysis

All the data in this study were analyzed using SPSS version 25 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences; IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). The data in this study were not the normal distribution. As a result, a nonparametric test was used. Mann–Whitney U-test was conducted to analyze two different groups, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for comparison before and after. The significance level was set to α = 0.05 with a two-tailed statistical test.

There were no statistically significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05) (Figures 2 and 3). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05) (Table 1). Before and after the comparison of the control group, there were no significant differences except AP index of dynamic balance (Table 2).

Table 1 . Comparison of the experimental and control group after the intervention.

Direction (°)Experimental groupControl groupUp-value
Static balance
Overall1.56 ± 0.681.42 ± 1.24350.090
AP1.26 ± 0.611.09 ± 1.1230.50.047*
ML0.76 ± 0.350.73 ± 0.51410.191
Dynamic balance
Overall2.11 ± 0.672.59 ± 1.3560.51.000
AP1.43 ± 0.641.04 ± 0.42290.038*
ML1.26 ± 0.732.16 ± 1.38360.114

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Mann–Whitney U-test..



Table 2 . Comparison of the no intervention (i.e., control) group before and after the intervention.

Direction (°)PrePostZp-value
Static balance
Overall1.53 ± 1.391.42 ± 1.24–1.0700.285
AP1.18 ± 1.451.09 ± 1.12–0.1550.877
ML0.68 ± 0.240.73 ± 0.51–0.6720.502
Dynamic balance
Overall3.12 ± 1.0712.59 ± 1.35–1.4680.142
AP1.29 ± 0.601.04 ± 0.42–2.3110.021*
ML2.61 ± 1.552.16 ± 1.38–1.2480.212

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test..



Figure 2. Comparison of static balance of the taping with the virtual reality (i.e., experimental group) before and after the intervention. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. Tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Figure 3. Comparison of dynamic balance of the taping with the virtual reality (i.e., experimental group) before and after the intervention. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

There was no significant difference in static balance, and only a significant difference found in dynamic balance when taping and virtual reality were applied. These results were different from our expectations. This is because the authors expected that a sense of balance would improve when applying combined intervention (e.g., taping and VR) or at least one intervention (e.g., taping or VR). The reasons for this are explained as follows. First, in this study, there may have been no effect on taping intervention. For instance, Raymond et al. [15] found that taping was not effective compared to the no taping condition for recurrent ankle sprain and FAI. Another study showed that the effect of taping may not be as great as expected, given that kinesio taping did not affect the reduction of acute swelling when applied to a sports athlete after an ankle sprain [16]. On the other hand, the application of VR to adults in their 20s for FAI showed significant differences in overall, AP, and ML index of the dynamic balance [17]. Of course, the authors still think that kinesio taping has positive effects, such as improving the performance of the ankle [18]. Second, Nintendo Wii Fit Plus is a tool for VR, but it was created for entertainment [19]. For example, it is difficult to set muscle strength and balanced exercise time accurately in this equipment. The reason for this is that in this study, an exercise (e.g., table tilt) can last longer depending on the achievement of the subject, and another exercise (e.g., ski slalom) must be very short. To sum up, if researchers try to apply for Nintendo equipment as a VR training, the results cannot be guaranteed. Based on the study results, the authors recommend that this equipment can use as a supporting tool for existing physical and occupational therapy not apply the main intervention of ankle rehabilitation in the clinics.

No statistically significant differences were found in the comparison of static and dynamic balances between the experimental and control groups in this study. Unexpectedly, significant decreases were seen in the control AP index of static and dynamic balance. The authors would like to explain the reasons for the unexpected results as follows. First, it is thought that the starting point of the experimental and control groups was different. In other words, because the starting point of the control was low, there seemed to be a significant difference, but it was a meaningless result. The selection criteria for this study were 24 or fewer CAIT scores. The lower the score means the more serious the FAI [20,21]. Therefore, it is shown that the large differences in individual instability of the ankle resulted in a lesser starting point for the control group than for the experimental group. A previous study also mentioned the need to sort CAIT scores by grade to select subjects for more accurate comparisons [17]. Second, this may be because, as mentioned earlier, the effect of the intervention of the experimental group was not strong. If the simultaneous application of the VR and taping were effective, different results would have been obtained. However, as mentioned earlier, taping seems ineffective, and only the VR intervention seems to have some effects on the dynamic balance of FAI.

The limitations of this study are as follows. First, only university students participated in the study. The elderly might produce different results. Second, before the trial, the CAIT score differences might exist between the experimental and control group. This is because the study defined CAIT below 24 as FAI and did not consider the difference in individual scores (range 0–24). Third, Nintendo Wii Fit Plus can be used as VR, but different results may come out if other devices or programs are applied as VR. Fourth, since the figure of 8 of kinesio taping technique was used in this study, it is hard to say that it reflects all the taping effects. In future studies, various taping techniques are necessary to apply FAI so that we can fully understand the effect. Despite having some limitations, the authors think that this article is showing meaningful results to those who work in rehabilitation areas. The reason is that we studied a new intervention approach by combining VR and taping.

Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations. In addition, if Nintendo Wii Fit Plus is applied in VR with FAI, it is necessary to create a specific exercise program for clinical use.

This research is based on the support of 2020 Woosong University Academic Research Funding.


No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.


Conceptualization: KK. Data curation: KK. Formal analysis: KK. Investigation: KK. Methodology: KK. Project administration: KK. Resources: KK, MG. Software: KK. Supervision: KK. Validation: KK. Visualization: MG. Writing - original draft: KK, MG. Writing - review & editing: KK, MG.

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Article

ARTICLE

Phys. Ther. Korea 2020; 27(4): 292-297

Published online November 20, 2020 https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2020.27.4.292

Copyright © Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy.

Effect of Taping and Virtual Reality Combined Exercise on Static and Dynamic Balance With Functional Ankle Instability

Ki-jong Kim , PT, PhD, Mi-yeong Gang , OT, PhD

Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Woosong University, Daejeon, Korea

Correspondence to:Mi-yeong Gang
E-mail: miyeong@wsu.ac.kr
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9361-7581

Received: October 5, 2020; Revised: October 27, 2020; Accepted: October 27, 2020

Abstract

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities. The sprain can cause functional ankle instability (FAI), and it is very important to treat FAI. However, the optimum intervention method for FAI has yet to be determined.
Objects: This study investigated the impact that virtual reality (VR) training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI.
Methods: Twenty-two people were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented a virtual reality exercise program for 30 minutes a day. Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was used for the VR intervention three times a week for four weeks. The control group performed only two measurements without intervention.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in overall, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations.

Keywords: Ankle Joint, Athletic tape, Joint instability, Postural balance, Rehabilitation, Virtual reality

INTRODUCTION

An ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities [1]. Functional ankle instability (FAI) is characterized by recurrent ankle sprains and/or feelings of joint instability. The risk factors of FAI include muscle weakness and the lack of proprioceptive sense, it may lead to a significant impairment in postural control and balance [2,3].

A variety of exercise programs were used as an intervention for FAI, and conservative treatment interventions including balance, proprioceptive, and muscle strengthening exercises are effective for patients with FAI [4]. Therapeutic ankle taping is thought to enhance proprioceptive acuity by increased stimulation of the cutaneous mechanoreceptors [5]. In addition, taping is using to restore proper muscle function by facilitation or inhibiting muscular contraction, and to improve blood follow and lymphatic drainage [6]. However, the relationship between postural stability and ankle taping during static and dynamic balance activities is still unknown.

Virtual reality (VR) can be described as a high-quality user and computer interface that enables real-time simulation and interaction via multiple sensory systems [7]. A recently popular intervention that may improve postural control is a VR training program as physical and occupational therapy [8-11]. VR training programs were not easy to be applying due to restrictive usefulness or high cost. One of the VR devices is the Nintendo Wii Fit program is low-cost and useful for exercising, which consists of the exercise-based game included joint flexibility, muscular strength, and balance [12]. Despite the benefits, there is unclear the effectiveness of static and dynamic balance using the VR program and taping combined exercise on FAI. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact that VR training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. Subjects

The subjects of this study were selected when conditions of 24 or less were met in the Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT) questionnaire for university students who experienced an ankle sprain in the past and felt ankle instability afterward [13]. Those with orthopedic, neurological, and other diseases that could affect the results of the study were excluded. Finally, all subjects were fully explained for the purpose and method of the study, and they voluntarily agreed to join this project. Twenty-two people (male: 5, female: 17) were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The control group performed only two measurements without intervention. The general characteristics of the subjects were age 21.6 ± 2.3, height 166.1 ± 5.9, and weight 61.7 ± 7.8. All the study methods and procedures were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

2. Taping Application and Virtual Reality Exercise

The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented the VR exercise program. The taping was wrapped twice in the figure of 8 technique from the center of the soles to the ankles for the experimental group while maintaining the dorsiflexion position (Figure 1A).

Figure 1. (A) The ankle kinesio taping and (B) the virtual reality exercise.

This exercise was conducted three times a week for four weeks as an ankle reinforced exercise using a VR exercise program, followed by warm-up exercise (5 minutes), intervention (20 minutes), and cool-down exercise (5 minutes). The research exercise carried out five strengths (e.g., lunge, single leg extension, sideways leg lift, single leg twist, rowing squat) and five balanced (e.g., soccer heading, ski slalom, tight rope walk, table tilt, snowboard slalom) exercises among the programs built into the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo Inc., Kyoto, Japan) for VR exercise programs (Figure 1B).

The intensity of the strength exercise in VR was set to increase the intensity of exercises by repeating it 10 times until 1 to 2 weeks, and by repeating it 20 times between 3 to 4 weeks. The balanced exercises were adjusted according to the level of development of the subjects from beginner to advance. Each VR exercise took a different time, so the authors set the total time not to exceed 20 minutes [14].

3. Measurement

Biodex balance system® (BBS; Biodex Medical System Inc., Shirley, NY, USA) can measure static and dynamic balance (1 to 12 levels) and can acquire data such as overall stability, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index (unit: degree). In this study, the static balance was first measured, and then the dynamic balance was measured for FAI. The static and dynamic balance used the calculated average value by measuring a total of three times each, and a single assessment was set to rest 10 seconds after evaluating 30 seconds. A total of two measurements were taken for both groups in the first week and in the fourth week, and the dynamic balance was set at level 2.

4. Statistical Analysis

All the data in this study were analyzed using SPSS version 25 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences; IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). The data in this study were not the normal distribution. As a result, a nonparametric test was used. Mann–Whitney U-test was conducted to analyze two different groups, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for comparison before and after. The significance level was set to α = 0.05 with a two-tailed statistical test.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05) (Figures 2 and 3). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05) (Table 1). Before and after the comparison of the control group, there were no significant differences except AP index of dynamic balance (Table 2).

Table 1 . Comparison of the experimental and control group after the intervention.

Direction (°)Experimental groupControl groupUp-value
Static balance
Overall1.56 ± 0.681.42 ± 1.24350.090
AP1.26 ± 0.611.09 ± 1.1230.50.047*
ML0.76 ± 0.350.73 ± 0.51410.191
Dynamic balance
Overall2.11 ± 0.672.59 ± 1.3560.51.000
AP1.43 ± 0.641.04 ± 0.42290.038*
ML1.26 ± 0.732.16 ± 1.38360.114

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Mann–Whitney U-test..



Table 2 . Comparison of the no intervention (i.e., control) group before and after the intervention.

Direction (°)PrePostZp-value
Static balance
Overall1.53 ± 1.391.42 ± 1.24–1.0700.285
AP1.18 ± 1.451.09 ± 1.12–0.1550.877
ML0.68 ± 0.240.73 ± 0.51–0.6720.502
Dynamic balance
Overall3.12 ± 1.0712.59 ± 1.35–1.4680.142
AP1.29 ± 0.601.04 ± 0.42–2.3110.021*
ML2.61 ± 1.552.16 ± 1.38–1.2480.212

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test..



Figure 2. Comparison of static balance of the taping with the virtual reality (i.e., experimental group) before and after the intervention. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. Tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Figure 3. Comparison of dynamic balance of the taping with the virtual reality (i.e., experimental group) before and after the intervention. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

DISCUSSION

There was no significant difference in static balance, and only a significant difference found in dynamic balance when taping and virtual reality were applied. These results were different from our expectations. This is because the authors expected that a sense of balance would improve when applying combined intervention (e.g., taping and VR) or at least one intervention (e.g., taping or VR). The reasons for this are explained as follows. First, in this study, there may have been no effect on taping intervention. For instance, Raymond et al. [15] found that taping was not effective compared to the no taping condition for recurrent ankle sprain and FAI. Another study showed that the effect of taping may not be as great as expected, given that kinesio taping did not affect the reduction of acute swelling when applied to a sports athlete after an ankle sprain [16]. On the other hand, the application of VR to adults in their 20s for FAI showed significant differences in overall, AP, and ML index of the dynamic balance [17]. Of course, the authors still think that kinesio taping has positive effects, such as improving the performance of the ankle [18]. Second, Nintendo Wii Fit Plus is a tool for VR, but it was created for entertainment [19]. For example, it is difficult to set muscle strength and balanced exercise time accurately in this equipment. The reason for this is that in this study, an exercise (e.g., table tilt) can last longer depending on the achievement of the subject, and another exercise (e.g., ski slalom) must be very short. To sum up, if researchers try to apply for Nintendo equipment as a VR training, the results cannot be guaranteed. Based on the study results, the authors recommend that this equipment can use as a supporting tool for existing physical and occupational therapy not apply the main intervention of ankle rehabilitation in the clinics.

No statistically significant differences were found in the comparison of static and dynamic balances between the experimental and control groups in this study. Unexpectedly, significant decreases were seen in the control AP index of static and dynamic balance. The authors would like to explain the reasons for the unexpected results as follows. First, it is thought that the starting point of the experimental and control groups was different. In other words, because the starting point of the control was low, there seemed to be a significant difference, but it was a meaningless result. The selection criteria for this study were 24 or fewer CAIT scores. The lower the score means the more serious the FAI [20,21]. Therefore, it is shown that the large differences in individual instability of the ankle resulted in a lesser starting point for the control group than for the experimental group. A previous study also mentioned the need to sort CAIT scores by grade to select subjects for more accurate comparisons [17]. Second, this may be because, as mentioned earlier, the effect of the intervention of the experimental group was not strong. If the simultaneous application of the VR and taping were effective, different results would have been obtained. However, as mentioned earlier, taping seems ineffective, and only the VR intervention seems to have some effects on the dynamic balance of FAI.

The limitations of this study are as follows. First, only university students participated in the study. The elderly might produce different results. Second, before the trial, the CAIT score differences might exist between the experimental and control group. This is because the study defined CAIT below 24 as FAI and did not consider the difference in individual scores (range 0–24). Third, Nintendo Wii Fit Plus can be used as VR, but different results may come out if other devices or programs are applied as VR. Fourth, since the figure of 8 of kinesio taping technique was used in this study, it is hard to say that it reflects all the taping effects. In future studies, various taping techniques are necessary to apply FAI so that we can fully understand the effect. Despite having some limitations, the authors think that this article is showing meaningful results to those who work in rehabilitation areas. The reason is that we studied a new intervention approach by combining VR and taping.

CONCLUSIONS

Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations. In addition, if Nintendo Wii Fit Plus is applied in VR with FAI, it is necessary to create a specific exercise program for clinical use.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research is based on the support of 2020 Woosong University Academic Research Funding.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST


No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS


Conceptualization: KK. Data curation: KK. Formal analysis: KK. Investigation: KK. Methodology: KK. Project administration: KK. Resources: KK, MG. Software: KK. Supervision: KK. Validation: KK. Visualization: MG. Writing - original draft: KK, MG. Writing - review & editing: KK, MG.

Fig 1.

Figure 1.(A) The ankle kinesio taping and (B) the virtual reality exercise.
Physical Therapy Korea 2020; 27: 292-297https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2020.27.4.292

Fig 2.

Figure 2.Comparison of static balance of the taping with the virtual reality (i.e., experimental group) before and after the intervention. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. Tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Physical Therapy Korea 2020; 27: 292-297https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2020.27.4.292

Fig 3.

Figure 3.Comparison of dynamic balance of the taping with the virtual reality (i.e., experimental group) before and after the intervention. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Physical Therapy Korea 2020; 27: 292-297https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2020.27.4.292

Table 1 . Comparison of the experimental and control group after the intervention.

Direction (°)Experimental groupControl groupUp-value
Static balance
Overall1.56 ± 0.681.42 ± 1.24350.090
AP1.26 ± 0.611.09 ± 1.1230.50.047*
ML0.76 ± 0.350.73 ± 0.51410.191
Dynamic balance
Overall2.11 ± 0.672.59 ± 1.3560.51.000
AP1.43 ± 0.641.04 ± 0.42290.038*
ML1.26 ± 0.732.16 ± 1.38360.114

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Mann–Whitney U-test..


Table 2 . Comparison of the no intervention (i.e., control) group before and after the intervention.

Direction (°)PrePostZp-value
Static balance
Overall1.53 ± 1.391.42 ± 1.24–1.0700.285
AP1.18 ± 1.451.09 ± 1.12–0.1550.877
ML0.68 ± 0.240.73 ± 0.51–0.6720.502
Dynamic balance
Overall3.12 ± 1.0712.59 ± 1.35–1.4680.142
AP1.29 ± 0.601.04 ± 0.42–2.3110.021*
ML2.61 ± 1.552.16 ± 1.38–1.2480.212

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. AP, anterior-posterior; ML, medial-lateral. *p < 0.05, tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test..


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