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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05250739

Neuromuscular Training vs Strength Training

Chronic ankle instability is a complex condition. Limited mobility, perceived instability, and recurrent ankle sprains are common characteristics that reduce the quality of life in subjects who suffer chronic ankle instability. Neuromuscular training and strength training has been recommended in chronic ankle instability management interventions. However, there are contradictory findings on results when comparing neuromuscular training, strength training, and control group.

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Key information

Conditions

Ankle Injuries Leg Injuries Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Jaen

Jaén, 23071, Spain

About this study

Participants were randomly assigned to the neuromuscular training group, strength training group, and control group with no intervention if participants met the inclusion criteria.

Neuromuscular training group. It consisted of a multi-station training with 6 exercises, increasing the difficulty progressively as the participants controlled the execution. The exercises were all performed barefoot and with the injured foot. These were a combination of standing and jumping exercises involving the injured ankle.

A strength training group was performed with resistance bands. The band was fastened to the unaffected ankle, while the participant was told to perform front and back pulls, as well as adduction and abduction movements with the affected ankle. Participants were told to control the ankle movement and to make it slow.

Control group received no intervention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

were consistent with recommendations made from International Ankle Consortium16 and were checked before the intervention:

  • To have suffered the first sprain at least 6 months before the beginning of the study.
  • Cumberland ankle instability score ≤24.
  • To be physically active.

Exclusion criteria

.

  • Participants could not have suffered an acute sprain in the 6 previous weeks to the beginning of the study.
  • History of recent ankle surgery.
  • Epilepsy or previous seizures.

Treatment and study plan

Strength training

Other

Strength training was performed with resistance bands. The band was fastened to the unaffected ankle, while the participant was told to perform front and back pulls, as well as adduction and abduction movements with the affected ankle. They were told to control the ankle movement and to make it slow. Since the first day, they were told to perform the exercise pulling the band as if they wanted to make the resistance of 5 on a scale from 0 to 10.

Neuromuscular Training

Other

consisted in a multi-station training with 6 exercises, increasing the difficulty progressively as the participants controlled the execution. The exercises were all performed barefoot and with the injured foot. These were a combination of standing and jumping exercises involving the injured ankle. The participants did not start the next progression until they perform a complete circuit in the level before.

Primary outcomes

  1. Self-reported instability

    Time frame: From baseline to eight weeks

    To determine the presence and severity of chronic ankle instability, participants completed the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool, a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the severity of ankle instability. The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool is a 9-item subjective questionnaire with a range score from 0 (severe instability) to 30 (normal stability)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Ankle range of motion

    Time frame: From baseline to eight weeks

    Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was assessed by the weight-bearing lunge test. The patient is positioned in a standing position facing a wall with the involved foot parallel with a tape measure which has been attached to the floor and the opposite leg placed behind in a tandem stance. A forward lunge is performed until the anterior knee tries to make contact with the wall with the heel firmly planted on the ground.

  2. Dynamic balance

    Time frame: From baseline to eight weeks

    Dynamic balance has been measured by a simplified version of the Star Excursion Balance Test where the anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral reach directions were collected for statistical analysis.

  3. Functional status

    Time frame: From baseline to eight weeks

    Function in daily living and sport activities were assessed by the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure. This questionnaire Is divided by two subscales of 21 items (daily living subscale) and 8 items (sports subscale). The obtained score is expressed as a percentage calculated by dividing the patient's score by max score and the lower percentage is related to the lower level of function.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

DAVID CRUZ DÍAZ

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Neuromuscular Training vs Strength Training in Chronic Ankle Instability

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Feb 22, 2022
Registry last updated
Mar 10, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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