This trial tests whether adding elastic therapeutic tape to acupuncture improves recovery from recent outer ankle sprains compared with acupuncture alone.
Researchers designed a prospective, randomized controlled trial across three hospitals, with outcome assessors unaware of treatment assignment. Adults with a recent outer ankle sprain were assigned to receive either acupuncture alone or acupuncture plus elastic therapeutic tape applied around the ankle. Both groups received weekday treatment for one week, and outcomes included pain, ankle function, swelling, quality of life, and subsequent ankle sprains during follow-up.
The study is designed to determine whether elastic therapeutic tape provides benefits beyond acupuncture for pain relief and functional recovery after an acute ankle sprain. It also assesses whether the combined treatment influences swelling, quality of life, and later recurrence of ankle sprains.
