A systematic review including 19 studies with a total of 327 subjects was abstracted in DARE. Before exercise, the semi-rigid bracing (mean -2.97, SD=0.63) offered greater restriction of range of motion (ROM) than tape (mean -2.33, SD=0.38) and lace-up bracing (mean -2.18, SD=0.86)
After exercise, the semi-rigid bracing (mean -3.85, SD=0.64) offered greater restriction of ROM than tape (mean -1.07, SD=0.20) and lace-up bracing (mean -1.56, SD=0.29). There was no difference between the mean effect sizes for tape and lace-up support.
Before exercise, the semi-rigid bracing (mean -2.69, SD=0.43) offered greater restriction of ROM than tape (mean -1.00, SD=0.21) and lace-up bracing (mean -1.40, SD=0.47). Lace-up offered more support than tape alone. Similar results were seen after exercise, but the level of statistical significance was unclear.
Tape braces (mean -0.94, SD=0.06) gave more support than lace-up braces (mean -0.51, SD=0.06).