Balance Training vs. Balance Training w/ STARS

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is a health condition that results in repeated ankle sprains and other residual impairments. CAI has been linked to many different causative factors including sensory and motor deficits that affect the global function of the sensorimotor system as well as the patient. Over the past 20 years, strong evidence has been generated to support balance training as an effective intervention strategy in the CAI population. Unfortunately, most investigations have focused solely on maximizing motor output through balance training, while ignoring the full spectrum of sensorimotor dysfunction associated with CAI. There may be advantageous sensory-targeted interventions that augment the effects of balance training and lead to greater enhancements of functional outcomes for CAI. However, this possibility has not been systematically explored. Sensory-targeted ankle rehabilitation strategies (STARS), such as joint mobilization and plantar massage have resulted in improved sensorimotor function in those with CAI. However, only a single STARS (i.e. stochastic resonance) has been investigated in combination with balance training. While the combined effects were greater than those of balance training alone, stochastic resonance requires relatively expensive equipment that is not commercially available. Thus, the purpose of this investigation is to test the hypothesis that combining low cost STARS (e.g. plantar massage and joint mobilizations) with balance training will result in greater sensorimotor and functional improvements in those with CAI than balance training alone.

Official Title
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Balance Training vs. Balance Training w/ STARS

Conditions
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Ankle (Ligaments); Instability (Old Injury)

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Balance Training
* Behavioral: STARS


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Males and females between the ages of 18 and 35. A history of at least one episode of giving way within the past 3 months. Answering 4 or more questions of Yes on the Ankle Instability Instrument (AII). Score of <90% on the self-reported Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Score of <80% on the FAAM Sport. Exclusion Criteria: Failing to meet the inclusion criteria. Known balance and vision problems. Acute lower extremities and head injuries that occurred <6 weeks ago. Chronic musculoskeletal conditions known to affect balance. A history of ankle surgeries to fix internal derangements.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Balance Training<br> | Behavioral: Balance Training<br>* This is a 4-week supervised balance training program that has been previously validated in those with CAI by improving subjective and objective measures of function. During the 4-week program, subjects will complete three 20-25 minute sessions a week for a total of twelve supervised training sessions. The specific exercises and repetitions that will be performed per training session will include: 1) hop to stabilization (10 repetitions per direction), 2) hop to stabilization and reach (5 repetitions per direction), 3) unanticipated hop to stabilization (3 repetitions), 4) progressive single limb stance balance activities (3 repetitions), and 5) progressive single limb stance activities with eyes closed (3 repetitions).<br>|
| Experimental: Balance Training w/ STARS<br> | Behavioral: Balance Training<br>* This is a 4-week supervised balance training program that has been previously validated in those with CAI by improving subjective and objective measures of function. During the 4-week program, subjects will complete three 20-25 minute sessions a week for a total of twelve supervised training sessions. The specific exercises and repetitions that will be performed per training session will include: 1) hop to stabilization (10 repetitions per direction), 2) hop to stabilization and reach (5 repetitions per direction), 3) unanticipated hop to stabilization (3 repetitions), 4) progressive single limb stance balance activities (3 repetitions), and 5) progressive single limb stance activities with eyes closed (3 repetitions).<br>Behavioral: STARS<br>* The STARS intervention will consist of 4 unique sensory-targeted interventions: calf stretching, ankle joint traction, anterior/posterior ankle joint mobilizations, and plantar massage. These four techniques target 3 types of sensory pathways (musculotendinous, articular, and plantar cutaneous, respectively) and will be applied in the same order for all treatment sessions: 1) 60-second calf stretch, 2) 30-second ankle traction, 3) 30-second mobilization, 4) 2-minute plantar massage, 5) 30-second ankle traction, and 6) 30-second mobilization.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Balance | Dynamic balance will be assessed with the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). This test requires a person to maintain their balance on a single limb while reaching as far as they can (with their other leg) in 3 different directions (forward, back-left, and back-right). | Balance at 1-day post intervention | 
| Self-assessed Disability | 2 questionnaires regarding self-assessed disability during activities of daily living and sport will be completed. The questionnaires will include the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Sport. The FAAM contains 21 activity related items (max score of 84) while the FAAM-S contains 8 activity related items (max score of 32). Lower percentages (patient's score divided by max score) represent greater disability, and both FAAM and FAAM-S scores have been found to be reliable and precise (r=0.89, SEM= 2.1 and r=0.87, SEM= 4.5, respectively) in people with CAI. | Disability to 1-day post intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Balance | Dynamic balance will be assessed with the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). This test requires a person to maintain their balance on a single limb while reaching as far as they can (with their other leg) in 3 different directions (forward, back-left, and back-right). | Change from baseline balance at 1-week post intervention | 
| Self-assessed Disability | 2 questionnaires regarding self-assessed disability during activities of daily living and sport will be completed. The questionnaires will include the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Sport. | Change from baseline disability at 1-week post intervention | 
| Self-assessed Disability | 3 questionnaires regarding self-assessed disability during activities of daily living and sport will be completed. The questionnaires will include the Ankle Instability Instrument, the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Sport. | Change from baseline disability at 1-month post intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Chronic Ankle Instability