Sensory-Targeted Ankle Rehabilitation Strategies (STARS)
Condition: Chronic Ankle Instability
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 2

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of 3 types of sensory-targeted
      rehabilitation interventions on subjective and objective measures of function for those with
      chronic ankle instability. The investigators hypothesize that subjective and objective
      measures of function including self-reported disability, balance, and range of motion will
      improve after 2-weeks of sensory-targeted interventions.
    

Detailed description: 
      The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of 3 types of sensory-targeted
      rehabilitation interventions on subjective and objective measures of function for those with
      chronic ankle instability. If a potential participant is deemed eligible for participation
      and consents to participate, he/she undergo a pretest session in which balance, gait, and
      range of motion will be assessed. The participant will then be randomized into one of the 4
      treatment groups and undergo the first treatment which takes approximately 5 minutes. After
      completion of the first treatment, the participant will be immediately retested on the
      balance, gait, and range of motion measures. Upon completion of testing on the first day,
      participants in the treatment groups will be asked to return for 5 more treatments over the
      course of 2 weeks. Upon completion of the treatments, each participant will be tested on
      their balance, gait, and range of motion again. Then, after 1 month, each participant will be
      contacted to do a self-reported function follow-up visit in which he/she will be asked to
      report how stable and functional his/her ankle has been over the past month.
    

Intervention name(s): Ankle Joint Mobilization; Foot Massage; Calf Stretching
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): The posterior ankle mobilization treatment is a manual therapy technique that consists of gently gliding your ankle in the backward direction through a pain free range of motion. This is a common therapy technique used by athletic trainers for the treatment of ankle sprains. The objective of this therapy technique is to glide the ankle into the area which restricts range of motion and gently stretch the restricted area. To begin this treatment, a certified athletic trainer with experience in applying this therapy technique will provide mild traction to the ankle joint to lightly distract the bones of the ankle joint. The athletic trainer will then apply two sets of joint mobilizations which will each last 2 minutes. Each repetition will consist of gently gliding the ankle joint in the backward direction until an area of restriction is reached. The athletic trainer will push into the restriction and then glide the ankle back to the starting position.; The foot massage treatment is a manual therapy technique that consists of gently rubbing the bottom of your feet with both hands like kneading dough. To begin the treatment, you will be asked to lie comfortably on a treatment table you're your feet hanging slightly off the edge. The athletic trainer with experience in applying this therapy will place his hands on the bottom of your foot and begin to massage your feet from your toes down to your heel. The athletic trainer will perform 2 sets of 2 minutes of massage with 1 minute rest in between sets.; The calf stretching treatment is a technique that is commonly used in sports and rehabilitation. You will be asked to place your foot on a slant board located next to a wall with your heel positioned below your toes on the slant board. You will be asked to lean towards the wall until you feel tension in your calf muscles that feels like a good stretch. You will perform 2 sets of 3 stretches that are held for 30 seconds each. Between each stretch, you will rest for 10 seconds. Between each set, you will rest for 1 minute.
Other intervention name(s): Ankle Range of Motion; Joint Manipulation; Plantar Massage; Plantar Stimulation; Foot Rub; Muscle Stretch; Flexibility
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Ankle Instability; Sensorimotor Control; Sensory; Postural Control; Balance; Gait