The Effect of Three Knee Brace Styles on Balance Ability

Abstract

Knee braces might enhance balance ability by improving joint stabilization or proprioception. We tested the effects of three different knee braces on single-limb balance. There was a significant decrease in the anteroposterior balance ability when participants wore the brace that was described as the most cumbersome or uncomfortable (p = .04). For the other two braces, there was no difference in single-limb balance ability compared with the no brace condition. Comfort and weight of the knee brace might alter somatosensory inputs, which play an important role in balance ability.