NCT01790581

Balance Training vs. Balance Training w/ STARS

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Charlotte · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is a health condition that results in repeated ankle sprains and other residual impairments. CAI has been linked to many different causative factors including sensory and motor deficits that affect the global function of the sensorimotor system as well as the patient. Over the past 20 years, strong evidence has been generated to support balance training as an effective intervention strategy in the CAI population. Unfortunately, most investigations have focused solely on maximizing motor output through balance training, while ignoring the full spectrum of sensorimotor dysfunction associated with CAI. There may be advantageous sensory-targeted interventions that augment the effects of balance training and lead to greater enhancements of functional outcomes for CAI. However, this possibility has not been systematically explored. Sensory-targeted ankle rehabilitation strategies (STARS), such as joint mobilization and plantar massage have resulted in improved sensorimotor function in those with CAI. However, only a single STARS (i.e. stochastic resonance) has been investigated in combination with balance training. While the combined effects were greater than those of balance training alone, stochastic resonance requires relatively expensive equipment that is not commercially available. Thus, the purpose of this investigation is to test the hypothesis that combining low cost STARS (e.g. plantar massage and joint mobilizations) with balance training will result in greater sensorimotor and functional improvements in those with CAI than balance training alone.

Conditions

• Ankle (Ligaments); Instability (Old Injury)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Balance Training	This is a 4-week supervised balance training program that has been previously validated in those with CAI by improving subjective and objective measures of function. During the 4-week program, subjects will complete three 20-25 minute sessions a week for a total of twelve supervised training sessions. The specific exercises and repetitions that will be performed per training session will include: 1) hop to stabilization (10 repetitions per direction), 2) hop to stabilization and reach (5 repetitions per direction), 3) unanticipated hop to stabilization (3 repetitions), 4) progressive single limb stance balance activities (3 repetitions), and 5) progressive single limb stance activities with eyes closed (3 repetitions).
BEHAVIORAL	STARS	The STARS intervention will consist of 4 unique sensory-targeted interventions: calf stretching, ankle joint traction, anterior/posterior ankle joint mobilizations, and plantar massage. These four techniques target 3 types of sensory pathways (musculotendinous, articular, and plantar cutaneous, respectively) and will be applied in the same order for all treatment sessions: 1) 60-second calf stretch, 2) 30-second ankle traction, 3) 30-second mobilization, 4) 2-minute plantar massage, 5) 30-second ankle traction, and 6) 30-second mobilization.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-01-01
• Primary completion: 2014-12-01
• Completion: 2014-12-01
• First posted: 2013-02-13
• Last updated: 2017-07-11
• Results posted: 2014-12-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States