The Effect of Five-Toed Socks on Postural Control Among Active Individuals Who Have Chronic Ankle Instabilities

University of Toledo Health Science Campus

Status: Completed

Conditions: Ankle Sprain

Treatments: Device: Unilateral CAI

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01210612

UTHSC-12

Details and patient eligibility

About

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common injuries in sports. There is a unique style of socks that have become popular in Japan among athletes that could also improve postural control. The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of five-toed socks on dynamic postural control in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability.

Full description

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common injuries in sports. Ankle braces and orthotic insoles also have been shown to influence the neuromuscular control system by enhancing the proprioceptive and cutaneous afferent inputs to the central nerve system; thereby improving postural control. There is a unique style of socks that have become popular in Japan among athletes that could also improve postural control by enhancing cutaneous afferent inputs from the plantar surface of the foot and toes. The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of five-toed socks on dynamic postural control in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability.

Enrollment: 53 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• member of university community
• All subjects will be physically active (at least 30 minutes of sustained exercise 3 times/week

Exclusion criteria

• history of: knee or hip musculoskeletal injury or surgery
• history of: fracture or dislocation of the testing ankle or leg
• neurological problems
• vestibular disorders or concussions within the last 6 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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53 participants in 2 patient groups

Without Unilateral CAI

Active Comparator group

Description:

Individuals with no history of chronic ankle instability (CAI)

Treatment:

Device: Unilateral CAI

With Unilateral CAI

Experimental group

Description:

Individuals with a history of chronic ankle instability (CAI) that is affecting only one limb

Treatment:

Device: Unilateral CAI