Effects of Infrapatellar Strap Combined with Acupressure Patch on Static and Dynamic Balance Performance in Healthy Young Adults

Purpose: This study examined the immediate effects of an infrapatellar strap alone and combined with an acupressure patch on static and dynamic balance performance in healthy young adults. Methods: Thirty-one healthy adults (23 males, 8 females) participated in this within-subject crossover study. All participants completed one of three conditions: Control (no strap), SO (strap only), and SP (strap with patch). Balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test (YBT). The Composite Score (%) for dynamic balance and a FreeMed pressure platform for the static and dynamic balance, with tandem standing and lunge tasks, were recorded using the sway length, ellipse surface, and average speed as outcome measures. The conditions were randomized with a minimum one-day washout period between sessions. Repeated measures ANOVA with LSD post-hoc tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The YBT Composite Score differed significantly across all three conditions (F=3.711, p<0.001), with SP showing the highest and Control the lowest. In the tandem standing task, the sway length (F=3.840, p=0.027), ellipse surface (F=4.188, p=0.020), and average speed (F=4.020, p=0.023) were significantly lower under the SO and SP conditions compared to the Control, with no significant difference between SO and SP. No significant differences were observed across the conditions in the lunge task. Conclusion: The infrapatellar strap alone improved the static balance and YBT performance, and adding an acupressure patch further enhanced YBT performance. These findings suggest that augmented somatosensory input via skin mechanoreceptor activation may contribute to improvements in balance, but the effects appear task-dependent. Future studies should examine the long-term effects, incorporate blinded designs, and extend the findings to clinical populations with knee pathology.