title: The Immediate Effect of Cryotherapy at the Ankle Joint On Postural Control
Creators: name: Sage, Bradley W.
Publisher: name: Old Dominion University
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/04zjtrb98
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2005

description: The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effect of cryotherapy at the ankle joint on measures of static and dynamic postural control. Scores for the chronically unstable ankle were analyzed during a static and dynamic stability test through the use of video analysis. The static test consisted of each subject performing a single leg stance on a multi-axial progressive balance board for one minute. The dynamic test consisted of each subject performing an agility hop test, in which they "hopped" to each of six squares marked on the floor in sequential order. The dependent measure for each test was "points" scored against each subject as they had to correct their postural control. The tester randomly evaluated the tapes and utilized slow motion mode to analyze and score errors. Twenty five (19 males, 6 females, age =15 ± 1 yrs, height =175cm ± 11cm, mass =75kg ± 19kg) physically active high school subjects with chronic ankle instability volunteered to participate. Chronic ankle instability was defined as repetitive bouts of ankle instability resulting in at least two previous ankle sprains. Subjects were excluded if they had any history of allergy to ice, previous balance training, or lower extremity injuries within the last six months. A multi-axial progressive balance board was used for the static test of postural control. Dependent measures were points scored against each subject if balance board touched the ground, the non-test leg touched the ground or the test leg, and if the hand touched the wall. The dynamic test of postural control utilized an agility hop test. Dependent measures were points scored against the subject if the foot did not land entirely within the square, the foot skipped upon landing; the hands came off of the hips, if excessive trunk sway was evident, or if the non-test leg touched the ground. Three 2 X 3 repeated measures ANOVA's were used to assess significance for each test (static, dynamic, dynamic time) and condition. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) was calculated for within session tester reliability for each dependent measure. Tukey Post Hoc comparisons were utilized to reveal the location of significant differences. All data were generated using SPSS (11.0) for windows. There was a decrease in postural control for all subjects across the testing sessions during the static test of postural control (p=.001, F2,48=8.395), and the dynamic test of postural control (p=.000, F2,48=9.908). There was also a decrease in time (p=.005, F2,48=5.839) needed to complete the dynamic test of postural control for all subjects across the testing sessions. There was no significant interaction between condition and test for all subjects across the testing sessions for both the static and dynamic test. Tukey Post Hoc revealed a significant difference between pre test and 20-minute post test measurements. Intraclass correlations coefficients (ICC) for intersession reliability were .96 and .99 for the static and dynamic tests, respectively. The results of this study indicate that cryotherapy has no immediate effect on the postural control abilities of the ankle joint.