Ankle Injuries, Ankle Inversion Sprain
Conditions
Brief summary
There is evidence to support individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have altered gait biomechanics which may lead to re-injury and poor patient outcomes. Currently, there are no interventions specifically targeting these abnormal gait biomechanics. Evidence supports the use of an external focus of attention feedback to promote motor learning and retention. The overall purpose of randomized clinical trial is to determine the effects of a 2-week (8 session) gait retraining protocol using an auditory external feedback instrument can (1) alter biomechanics during functional tasks (walking, step-down, lunge, lateral hops, and balance) (2) improve ankle cartilage measures and (3) improve patient-reported outcome measures.
Interventions
OTHERAuditory Feedback
Participants will complete 8 sessions over a 2-week period of walking gait retraining on a treadmill while receiving no feedback. Participants will be instructed to walk on a treadmill at their desired pace in a manner that does not cause the auditory tool to elicit a noise.
OTHERNo Feedback
Participants will complete 8 sessions over a 2-week period of walking gait retraining on a treadmill while receiving no feedback. Participants will be instructed to walk on a treadmill at their desired pace in a manner that they perceive to be their normal walking speed and mechanics.
Sponsors
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* History of at least one ankle sprain * Index ankle sprain \> 12 months prior to study enrollment * Most recent ankle sprain \> 12 weeks prior to study enrollment * Score \>10 on the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI) survey. * Score \<95% on the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Activities of Daily Living and a \<85% on the Sport subscales * Be physically active by participating in some form of physical activity for at least 20 min per day, three times per week.
Exclusion criteria
* History of ankle surgery * History of other musculoskeletal injuries within the past 6 weeks * Any condition affecting plantar pressure distribution * Neurological or vestibular disorders affecting balance * Current/previous self-reported disability due to lower extremity pathology that may adversely affect neuromuscular function
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes from baseline in lower extremity kinetics during walking | Immediate post-intervention, 1-week post-intervention | Plantar pressure and center of pressure trajectory measured with an in-shoe plantar pressure system |
| Changes from baseline in talar cartilage deformation before and after walking | Immediate post-intervention, 1-week post-intervention | Talar cartilage thickness and cross-sectional area will be measured with an diagnostic ultrasound imaging system |
| Changes from baseline in self-reported ankle function | Immediate post-intervention, 1-week post-intervention | Changes from baseline in self-reported function as measured by the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Activities of Daily Living and Sport questionnaire. Scores range from 100% (no decrease in function) to 0% (complete loss of function). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes from baseline in static balance | Immediate post-intervention, 1-week post-intervention | Static balance will be measured via a force plate |
| 2. Changes from baseline in plantar pressure during forward lunges, lateral hops, and a step-down | Immediate post-intervention, 1-week post-intervention | Plantar pressure during forward lunges, lateral hops, and a step-down will be recorded with an in-shoe insole system. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed