The Changes of Balance Performance by Low-dye Taping Application on Flexible Flatfoot

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effect of low-dye taping on balance performance in subjects with flexible flatfoot. METHODS: Fifteen asymptomatic volunteers who had flexible flatfoot (age, <TEX>21.7±1.81</TEX>years; height, <TEX>164.80±7.57cm</TEX>; weight, <TEX>56.47±10.48kg</TEX>) were participated for this study. Navicular drop test was used to evaluate pronation of foot in three different conditions; non-weight bearing position without low-dye taping, weight bearing position without low-dye taping, weight bearing position with low-dye taping. And balance performance (anterio/ posterior, medial/lateral, and overall) was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System in three different conditions; one-leg standing without low-dye taping, one-leg standing with low-dye taping, and one-leg standing with low-dye taping in one week later. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess navicular height and balance performance across the three testing conditions. RESULTS: Significant and clinically meaningful improvement in navicular height was found after application of the low-dye taping. However, there was no statistically significant change in balance performance. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence to suggest that low-dye taping does not affect balance performance.