The Effect of Balance Training Following STARS on Postural Control

Bahçeşehir University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Kinesiophobia; Sensory Deficit; Ankle Sprains; Ankle Instability; Functional Performance

Treatments: Other: STARS (Sensory-Targeted Ankle Rehabilitation Strategies); Other: Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05602233

Ankle-BAU&HBU-20221012

Details and patient eligibility

About

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is defined as the symptoms continuing 12 months after the first sprain and the functional and/or mechanical instability reported by the individual. The number of researches that include a combined treatment approach that will affect both sensory and motor components in rehabilitation strategies applied for CAI is limited.

The aim of this study is to isolated sensory, isolated motor and combined targeted approaches for the treatment of chronic ankle instability (CAI); to compare the effects on postural control, range of motion, function and kinesiophobia and to contribute to an effective approach related to the applicability of Sensory-Targeted Ankle Rehabilitation Strategies in the treatment of CAI.

Full description

Lateral ankle sprains are among the most common injuries in athletes and physically active individuals, accounting for 80% of ankle injuries. After the ankle is sprained for the first time, it becomes more prone to re-injury. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is defined as the symptoms continuing 12 months after the first sprain and the functional and/or mechanical instability reported by the individual. Long-term ongoing CAI symptoms; It includes pain, swelling, give away that reduces the person's quality of life.

Symptoms of CAI include both motor and sensory aspects of the sensorimotor system. Despite sensory and motor deficits in sensorimotor control, researches on CAI rehabilitation have focused on either motor or sensory components. The number of researches that include a combined treatment approach that will affect both sensory and motor components in rehabilitation strategies applied for CAI is limited.

Sensory-Targeted Ankle Rehabilitation Strategies (STARS) and balance training have proven to be effective in relieving CAI-associated deficits. Although the effects of isolated STARS were positive, in a recent study, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups when the balance training given with STARS was compared with the balance training alone. However, the reason for the lack of difference between the groups may be the simultaneous application of both treatment protocols. In addition, the effects of the isolated use of the STARS combination in the treatment of CAI are still unclear and to our knowledge, there are no studies in this area.

The aim of this study is to isolated sensory, isolated motor and combined targeted approaches for the treatment of chronic ankle instability (CAI); to compare the effects on postural control, range of motion, function and kinesiophobia and to contribute to an effective approach related to the applicability of STARS in the treatment of CAI.

Enrollment: 21 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• History of first ankle sprain more than 1 year ago

  • Having at least 2 "give away" episodes in the last 6 months
  • Identification of Functional Ankle Instability's score above 11
  • 18-25 age range
  • Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), the score of which is less than %90
  • Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Sports scale (FAAM-S), the score of which is less than %80

Exclusion criteria

• History of lower extremity surgery
• History of disease that may affect sensorimotor function in the lower extremity
• Musculoskeletal disorders that may affect balance

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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21 participants in 3 patient groups

Balance training:

Experimental group

Description:

It is planned to apply hop to stabilization exercises developed by Mckeon et al. The training will be given for 6 weeks, 3 times a week for 20 minutes. This phased balance training program is based on the participant's ability to maintain a single limb posture while performing balance activities. The program includes: 1) hop to stabilization, 2) hop to stabilization and reach, 3) hop to stabilization box drill, 4) progressive single-limb stance balance activities with eyes open, and 5) progressive single-limb stance activities with eyes closed. Participants will be followed up with a physiotherapist and will be able to proceed to the next stage of the test after completing the previous level without errors.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

STARS

Experimental group

Description:

A combination of STARS developed by Mckeon et al. is planned for the STARS group. The training will be given for 6 weeks, 3 times a week for 5 minutes. STARS includes; joint mobilization, plantar massage and triceps surae stretching.

Treatment:

Other: STARS (Sensory-Targeted Ankle Rehabilitation Strategies)

Combined Training

Experimental group

Description:

Each participant in the combined training program will receive 4 weeks of balance training after 2 weeks of STARS treatment. STARS and hop to stabilization treatment protocol will be applied in the same way.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

Other: STARS (Sensory-Targeted Ankle Rehabilitation Strategies)