The effect of a 4-week comprehensive rehabilitation program on postural control and lower extremity function in individuals with chronic ankle instability

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Objective: Toexamine the effects of a 4-week rehabilitation program for chronic ankle instability (CAI) on postural control and lower extermity function. Background: CAI is associated with residual symptoms, performance deficits and reinjury. Managing CAI is challenging and more evidence is neededto guide effective treatment. Methods and Measures: Subjects with unilateral CAI were randomly assigned to the rehabilitation (CAI-rehab, n=16) or control (CAI-control, n = 13) group. Subjects without CAI were assigned to a healthy group. Subjects without CAI were assigned to a healthy group (n = 19). Baseline testing including the (1) center of pressure velocity (COPV), (2) star excursion balance test (SEBT), and (3) Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and FADI-Sports Subscale (FADI-Sport). The CAI-rehab group completed 4 weeks of rehabilitation that addressed range of motion, strength, neuromuscular control, and functional tasks. After 4 weeks, all subjects were retested. Nonparametric analyses for group differences and between-group comparisons were performed. Results: Subjects with CAI demonstrated deficits in postural control and SEBT reach taasks of the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb compared and reported functional deficits of the involved compared to healthy subjects. Following rehabilitation, the CAI-rehab group had greater SEBT reach improvements on the involved limb than the other groups and greater improvements in FADI and FADI-Sport scores. Conclusions: These results demonstrate postural control and functional limitations exist in individuals with CAI. In addition, rehabilition appears to improve these functional limitations. Finally, there is evidence to suggest the SEBT may be a good functional measure to monitor change after rehabilitation for CAI.