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 ) .
Strength-training protocols to improve deficits in participants with chronic ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial.
CONTEXT Although lateral ankle sprains are common in athletes and can lead to chronic ankle instability ( CAI ) , strength-training rehabilitation protocol s may improve the deficits often associated with CAI . OBJECTIVE To determine whether strength-training protocol s affect strength , dynamic balance , functional performance , and perceived instability in individuals with CAI . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Athletic training research laboratory . PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A total of 39 individuals with CAI ( 17 men [ 44 % ] , 22 women [ 56 % ] ) participated in this study . Chronic ankle instability was determined by the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability Question naire , and participants were r and omly assigned to a resistance-b and - protocol group ( n = 13 [ 33 % ] age = 19.7 ± 2.2 years , height = 172.9 ± 12.8 cm , weight = 69.1 ± 13.5 kg ) , a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation strength- protocol group  ( n = 13 [ 33 % ] , age = 18.9 ± 1.3 years , height = 172.5 ± 5.9 cm , weight = 72.7 ± 14.6 kg ) , or a control group  ( n = 13 [ 33 % ] , age = 20.5 ± 2.1 years , height = 175.2 ± 8.1 cm , weight = 70.2 ± 11.1 kg ) . INTERVENTION(S ) Both rehabilitation groups completed their protocol s 3 times/wk for 6 weeks . The control group did not attend rehabilitation sessions . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S ) Before the interventions , participants were pretested by completing the figure-8 hop test for time , the triple-crossover hop test for distance , isometric strength tests ( dorsiflexion , plantar flexion , inversion , and eversion ) , the Y-Balance test , and the visual analog scale for perceived ankle instability . Participants were again tested 6 weeks later . We conducted 2 separate , multivariate , repeated- measures analyses of variance , followed by univariate analyses on any significant findings . RESULTS The resistance-b and protocol group improved in strength ( dorsiflexion , inversion , and eversion ) and on the visual analog scale ( P < .05 ) ; the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group improved in strength ( inversion and eversion ) and on the visual analog scale ( P < .05 ) as well . No improvements were seen in the triple-crossover hop or the Y-Balance tests for either intervention group or in the control group for any dependent variable ( P > .05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Although the resistance-b and protocol is common in rehabilitation , the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation strength protocol is also an effective treatment to improve strength in individuals with CAI . Both protocol s showed clinical benefits in strength and perceived instability . To improve functional outcomes , clinicians should consider using additional multiplanar and multijoint exercises
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 ) .