NCT06682897

Simplified Tai Chi Exercises to Improve Function in People With Chronic Ankle Instability

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (actual)
• Sponsor: Loughborough University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this interventional trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the simplified four-week Tai Chi training in improving function in people with chronic ankle instability. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the 4-week Tai Chi training improve ankle neuromuscular responses? 2. Does the 4-week Tai Chi training enhance ankle proprioception? 3. Does the 4-week Tai Chi training improve ankle muscle strength？ 4. Does the 4-week Tai Chi training boost balance performance？ 5. Does the 4-week Tai Chi training enhance subjective ankle stability and quality of life? Researchers will compare Tai Chi training to self-management to see if this Tai Chi training works to enhance ankle stability performance. Participants will: 1. Take self-management and Tai Chi training, and each for 4 weeks 2. Visit the labs every 4 weeks for biomechanical measurements and questionnaires, totally 3 times.

Detailed description

Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise practiced by millions worldwide to stay active and improve health. Based on muscle activation levels across the full set of movements (108 forms), we developed a simplified 16-form Tai Chi routine to enhance ankle stability for individuals with chronic ankle instability. To evaluate the benefits of this simplified 16-form version for ankle function in people with chronic ankle instability, we are recruiting individuals managing symptoms of chronic ankle instability for a 4-week training program and assess their ankle-related function three times. All participants are randomly allocated to both the Tai Chi training group or a self-management control group, while maintaining their usual lifestyle and exercise routines throughout the study. All participants will complete the same training content and assessment tasks; participants in the control group will be offered the Tai Chi training following completion of the second outcome assessment. The Tai Chi training includes a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 1 hour (10 minutes of warm-up, 45 minutes of Tai Chi practice, and a 5-minute cool down). Each of the three functional assessments will include consistent measures, including muscle activation, proprioception, muscle strength, balance testing, and self-assessment scales (ankle function and quality of life).

Conditions

• Chronic Ankle Instability

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Tai Chi training	60 minutes each session, three sessions per week, lasting 4 weeks for undertaking.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-08-05
• Primary completion: 2024-12-02
• Completion: 2024-12-02
• First posted: 2024-11-12
• Last updated: 2026-02-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom