CONTEXT: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is the most serious long-term complication following an ankle sprain. Taping and bracing are frequently employed in the return to sport (RTS) continuum to avoid injury recurrence and to maximize post-injury performance. The Ankle-GO score is a valid and reliable objective RTS criteria, but the influence of ankle supports on this score in CAI patients remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the induce effects of taping or bracing on the Ankle-GO score among patients suffering from CAI.

DESIGN: Crossover Study

SETTING: Sports medicine research laboratory

PATIENTS: Thirty CAI patients (13 males and 17 females, 33.4 ±11.7 years) performed the Ankle-GO score in three conditions (taping, bracing and no ankle support).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Ankle-GO is a 25-point score clustering 2 self-reported questionnaires (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure and Ankle Ligament Reconstruction-Return to Sport after Injury) and 4 functional tests (Single Leg Stance, Star Excursion Balance Test, Side Hop Test and Figure-of-eight test). Performances on each component as well as the total score were compared between conditions using repeated measures of ANOVA.

RESULTS: Taping and bracing significantly and equally improved the Ankle-GO score compared with no support (12.8 ±5.3 and 11.2 ±4.2 vs. 8 ±4.5 points respectively, P<.001). However, significant improvements were found solely in self-reported questionnaires with ankle support (P<.001). No differences were found in functional tests, although both taping and bracing significantly lowered instability perception during the tests (+1.9 and +1.8 points, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Ankle-GO scores were significantly enhanced with taping or bracing. However, only self-reported function and psychological readiness were improved. Functional performance was not altered, although external supports enhanced perceived stability. Both taping and bracing supports appear equally important in improving self-confidence and perceived ankle stability among individuals with CAI returning to sport.

Ankle sprain, Return to Sport, Ankle-GOTM, Taping and Bracing, Psychological Readiness
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Competing Interests

Competing interests and financial disclosure: none

Author notes

AH, FF, RL and BP designed the study. The preparation of the material,the writing of the report and the critical revision of the work were carried out by BP, FF, RL,LP and AH. Data collection was carried out by CM, CL, GR, AM and WL. Statistical analysis was carried out by BP. BP drafted the first version of the manuscript, and all authors critically reviewed later versions until all authors could approve the final manuscript. AH is the guarantor of the data in this study.

Funding, grant and award info: none