Conclusions The main findings from this systematic review were balance training provided the most consistent improvements in self-reported function for patients with CAI
Objective To identify which therapeutic intervention may be most effective for improving self-reported function in patients with chronic ankle instability ( CAI ) .
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Rehabilitation Efficacy in Chronic Ankle Instability.
CONTEXT There is minimal patient-oriented evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions targeted to reduce symptoms associated with chronic ankle instability ( CAI ) . In addition , clinicians aim ing to prioritize care by implementing only the most effective components of a rehabilitative program have very little evidence on comparative efficacy . OBJECTIVE To assess the comparative efficacy of 2 common ankle rehabilitation techniques ( wobble-board [ WB ] balance training and ankle strengthening using resistance tubing [ RT ] ) using patient-oriented outcomes . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Laboratory . PATIENTS 40 patients with CAI r and omized into 2 treatment groups :  RT and WB .  CAI inclusion criteria included a history of an ankle sprain , recurrent " giving way , " and a Cumberl and Ankle Instability Tool ( CAIT ) score ≤25 . INTERVENTIONS Participants completed 5 clinician-oriented tests  ( foot-lift test , time-in-balance , Star Excursion Balance Test , figure-of-8 hop , and side-hop ) and 5  patient-oriented question naires ( CAIT , Foot and Ankle Ability Measure [ FAAM ] , Activities of Daily Living [ ADL ] and FAAM Sport scale , Short-Form 36 [ SF-36 ] , and Global Rating of Function [ GRF ] ) . After baseline testing , participants completed 12 sessions over 4 wk of graduated WB or RT exercise , then repeated baseline tests . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES For each patient- and clinician-oriented test , separate 2 × 2 RMANOVAs analyzed differences between groups over time ( alpha set at P = .05 ) . RESULTS There was a significant interaction between group and time for the FAAM-ADL ( P = .04 ) . Specifically , the WB group improved postintervention ( P < .001 ) whereas the RT group remained the same ( P = .29 ) . There were no other significant interactions or significant differences between groups ( all P > .05 ) . There were significant improvements postintervention for the CAIT , FAAM-Sport , GRF , SF-36 , and all 5 clinician-oriented tests ( all P < .001 ) . CONCLUSIONS A single-exercise 4-wk intervention can improve patient- and clinician-oriented outcomes in individuals with CAI . Limited evidence indicates that WB training was more effective than RT . LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapy , level 1b
Conclusions The main findings from this systematic review were balance training provided the most consistent improvements in self-reported function for patients with CAI
Objective To identify which therapeutic intervention may be most effective for improving self-reported function in patients with chronic ankle instability ( CAI ) .