Effects of joint stabilizers on proprioception and stability

This review regarding the effects of joint stabilizers (JS) on proprioception and stability concluded that the use of compression garments provided an increase in postural stability (level of evidence: 1a) and that taping enhanced postural stability and knee joint proprioception (level of evidence: 1b). These effects were attributed to changes in mechanical musculoskeletal stability, cerebral hemodynamics and muscle activity.

The use of JS (e.g. braces, taping, compression garments) is abundant in various settings and is driven by a purported positive effect on joint stability and proprioception, as measured by outcomes such as joint position sense, balance and joint kinematics. Thus, this review aimed to evaluate the effect of JS in joint stability and proprioception in various body regions and populations.

50 studies involving 1443 subjects were included. Study quality was measured with the PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was performed on pooled studies; heterogeneity and effect sizes were calculated.

The overall results show 30 studies found a positive effect of using JS on proprioception and joint stability, 8 studies found non-significant effects and 10 studies found no effects after using JS.

The meta-analysis revealed that taping has a negligible effect on proprioception in subjects with ankle instability, lumbar braces significantly improved trunk proprioception in healthy subjects, knee compression sleeves had a beneficial effect in joint proprioception, and taping had a beneficial effect in joint stability in subjects with ankle instability.

Together, these results suggest that the use of JS can be beneficial across different conditions and populations. 

> From: Ghai et al., Phys Ther Sport 25 (2017) 65-75. All rights reserved to Elsevier Ltd. Click here for the online summary.