PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of functional or biomechanical bandages, whether elastic or inelastic, in chronic ankle instability (CAI). METHODS: This review used PubMed, WoS, SCOPUS, and CINAHL following PRISMA and registering in PROSPERO. MAIN PICOS: (1) CAI; (2) intervention, functional/biomechanical bandages; (3) comparison, taping effect versus placebo/no taping, or another functional taping; (4) outcomes, improvement of CAI functionality (dynamic/static balance, ankle kinematic, perception, agility and motor control, endurance and strength; (5) experimental and preexperimental studies. The meta-analyses considered mean and SD. of the results per variable; effect size (ES) of each study and for each type of intervention. Homogeneity (Q), heterogeneity (H2 and I2), and 95% CI were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 28 studies were selected. Significant differences were found for dynamic balance (66.66%) and static balance (87.5%), ankle kinematics (75.00%), perceptions (88.88%), plantar flexor strength (100%), muscle activity (66.6%), endurance (100%), functional performance (100%), and gait (66.6%). The main results of meta-analyses (eight studies) are as follows -- h/M ratio soleus ES 0.080, 95% CI -5.219 to 5.379; h/M ratio peroneus ES 0.070, 95% CI -6.151 to 6.291; posteromedial KT ES 0.042 95% CI -0.514 to 0.598; posteromedial-overall ES -0.006 95% CI -1.071 to 0.819; mSEBT-KT ES 0.057 95% CI -0.281 to 0.395; mSEBT-overall ES -0.035 95% CI -0.190 to 0.590. CONCLUSIONS: All biomechanical or functional bandages, whether elastic or inelastic, applied in CAI were favorable, highlighting patient perception, dynamic and static balance, kinematics and agility and motor control, for its effectiveness and evidence. Thus, bandages increase ankle functionality. The meta-analyses found no statistical significance. Clinically, soleus muscle activity, h-reflex/M-responses using fibular reposition with rigid tape, and dynamic balance with combined kinesiotaping during the modified star excursion balance test and with the posteromedial direction found improvements. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level of evidence according to Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network: 1+. Level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011: 1.

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