Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Males with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI)

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Clinical Symptoms and Neurocognitive Function in Males with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI)

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20230208057352N1

Enrollment

Registered

2023-02-20

Start date

2023-02-20

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-03-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Ankle Instability. Instability secondary to old ligament injury

Interventions

Intervention 1: Intervention group: In this group, anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and exercises are used. Sessions are held 3 days a week for 4 weeks (12 sessions in total) and

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Male

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Males, 18-40 yrs; with a history of at least 1 significant ankle sprain (associated with pain, swelling, and/or dislocation) occurred at least 12 months prior to study enrollment Participants should report at least 2 episodes of giving way in the 6 months prior to study enrollment Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score = 24. Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM): ADL subscale <90%, Sports subscale <80% No pain in involved ankle Participants should be right-handed Instability should be unilateral

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Neurologic or orthopedic disorders wich may cause balance impairments History of lower extremity fracture or lower-extremity surgery Uncorrected hearing or visual impairments Have any metallic implants, pacemakers, intracranial electrodes, surgical clips A history of migraines, seizure, or head injury resulting in a loss of consciousness If contact with the scalp is not possible Have a scalp or skin condition (e.g., psoriasis or eczema) Using medications that may alter seizure threshold or cognitive performance If participants consume alcohol or caffeine 12 hours before the sessions

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Visual choice reaction time. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: Speed Anticipation Reaction Time Test (SART) software.;Auditory choice reaction time. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;Visual complex choice reaction time. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;Auditory complex choice reaction time. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;Low speed anticipation skill. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;High speed anticipation skill. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;Static balance: Foot-lift test. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: Calculation of the average number of errors in three tests.;Dynamic balance: Modified Star Excursion Balance Test. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: Tape measure.;Single-leg side-hop test. Timepoint: Bef	—

Measure

Time frame

Visual choice reaction time. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: Speed Anticipation Reaction Time Test (SART) software.;Auditory choice reaction time. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;Visual complex choice reaction time. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;Auditory complex choice reaction time. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;Low speed anticipation skill. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;High speed anticipation skill. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: SART software.;Static balance: Foot-lift test. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: Calculation of the average number of errors in three tests.;Dynamic balance: Modified Star Excursion Balance Test. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention (the beginning of the first session) and after completion of 12 intervention sessions (the end of the last session). Method of measurement: Tape measure.;Single-leg side-hop test. Timepoint: Bef

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool's score. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention, after the completion of 12 intervention sessions (end of the last session). Method of measurement: The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool.;The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire (FAAM) score. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention, after the completion of 12 intervention sessions (end of the last session). Method of measurement: The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire (FAAM).	—

Measure

Time frame

The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool's score. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention, after the completion of 12 intervention sessions (end of the last session). Method of measurement: The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool.;The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire (FAAM) score. Timepoint: Before starting the intervention, after the completion of 12 intervention sessions (end of the last session). Method of measurement: The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire (FAAM).

—

Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactSara Asadi Abadi

Tehran University of Medical Sciences

s-asadiabadi@razi.tums.ac.ir00 21 77528468

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026