Reliability and Repeatability of Pressure Center Analysis with Low-Dye Taping Using Force Platform Podiatry Sensors in Feet with Excessive Pronation.

Background: The analysis of the center of pressure (COP) is a method used to assess the foot function, but its reliability and repeatability have not been evaluated. COP can be altered by diverse conditions, like an excessive foot pronation. Low-Dye taping is commonly used for the treatment of symptoms related to an excessive pronation. To date, no study has evaluated the effects of the Low-Dye taping on COP and the duration of its effects. Thus, the main purpose of this manuscript was to assess the reliability and repeatability of the percentage of center of pressure locus area (%CLA) in feet with an excessive pronation, and secondarily, to assess that the Low-Dye taping modifies the %CLA during the immediate 48 h.

Methods: An observational study of the reliability and repeatability of the %CLA variable with the Low-Dye taping in feet with excessive pronation was carried out. We used the EPS-Platform to evaluate the results of the variable in 6 conditions in a first session to evaluate the reliability of the results. We compared the results of the first session with the results in a second session to evaluate the repeatability of the results. We also carried out an ANOVA test to evaluate the changes that the taping produced in the variable between without taping with the rest of the 6 conditions.

Results: For the %CLA, we observed a reliability greater than 0.80, measured by the interclass ratio index, both in the first session before taping, and in the second session before taping, thus being a repeatability variable. In the following times, with taping, at 10 min with tape, at 20 min with tape, at 24 h with tape and at 48 h with tape; an interclass ratio coefficient (ICC) higher than 0.80 was again obtained, thus being a reliable variable in all measurements made. The Low-Dye taping did not change %CLA from the time the tape was put in until 48 h (-value = 1.000).

Conclusions: The %CLA variable, in feet with excessive pronation, proved to be a reliable variable in all the measurements obtained before putting on the tape and during the following 48 h with the tape, and a repeatable variable. The Low-Dye taping did not change the %CLA from the time the tape was put in until 48 h.