Introduction: Chronic ankle instability is a condition that occurs after one or more ankle sprains and is often associated with a constant feeling of ankle instability and recurrent ankle sprains. The condition is characterized by poor balance associated with impaired proprioceptive function and neuromuscular control. In order to prevent ankle injuries and rehabilitate patients with chronic ankle instability, various strategies can be used to improve balance, such as whole-body vibration, balance training, use of ankle orthoses, joint mobilization, and, more recently, elastic taping. There are several types of elastic tapes. The most commonly used is kinesiology tape, dynamic tape is used less. Purpose: To review the effectiveness of elastic tapes on balance in people with chronic ankle instability by reviewing the existing literature. Methods: The literature was searched on the PubMed, PEDro, and ScienceDirect websites using the keywords »chronic ankle instability« AND »kinesiology tape« OR »kinesio tape« OR »taping« OR » elastic taping« AND »balance«. Results: After meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, five studies were included in the literature review. The authors of the included studies were not unanimous in their results. Three studies confirmed the effectiveness of elastic tapes in improving balance, but in two studies, the efficacy of elastic tapes was not proven. Scores of the Balance Error Scoring System improved by 24 % (p < 0.01). There was no improvement in the Sensory Organization Test. Findings of improvement in scores across studies were inconsistent in the One Leg Stand Test, One Leg Jump, and Modified Star Excursion Balance Test. Discussion and conclusion: After reviewing the included studies, it appears that elastic adhesive tapes could have a positive effect on balance in patients with chronic ankle instability, but this should only be used a starting point for further research.
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