The Effects of Gentle Movements at the Ankle in Individuals With Diminished Range of Motion

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is the examine the effects of gentle movements applied to the ankle joint and stretching on self-reported function, ankle motion and stiffness in individuals who have suffered from an ankle sprain within the last year and have decreased ankle motion.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is the examine the effects of a grade IV anterior to posterior joint mobilization and stretching on self-reported function, dorsiflexion range of motion, talar glide and stiffness in individuals who have suffered from an ankle sprain within the last year and have a 5° dorsiflexion range of motion deficit. We will quantify range of motion with standard goniometric measures, stiffness with the use of an instrumented ankle arthrometer, talar glide with the use of the posterior talar glide test and self-reported function using the foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM) and FAAM-sport.

Official Title
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The Effects of Talocrural Joint Mobilizations in Individuals With Diminished Dorsiflexion Range of Motion After Ankle Sprain

Conditions
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Lateral Ankle Sprain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Sham (laying of hands) intervention
* Other: Grade IV AP joint mobilizations


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: History of a lateral ankle sprain within the last year Dorsiflexion range of motion deficit of 5° Return to full activity prior to participation in this study Individuals with dorsiflexion range of motion that is less than degrees of dorsiflexion. Exclusion Criteria: A history of ankle surgery that involves intra-articular fixation Syndesmotic ankle sprain (to be ruled out based on the attending certified athletic trainers diagnosis) A history or signs of reflex sympathetic dystrophy Suffer from an acute injury in the lower extremity within the last 6 weeks Have received manual therapy for the ankle sprain prior to enrollment

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 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: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Sham Comparator: Sham intervention plus standard treatment<br>This group will receive a laying of hands treatment in addition to standard treatment. The clinician will place his/her hands in a position to perform the AP joint mobilizations but will not actually perform them. The sham treatment will be performed 3 times and each will last a period of 60 seconds with a one minute rest in between. | Other: Sham (laying of hands) intervention<br>* The clinician will place his/her hands in a position to perform the AP joint mobilizations but will not actually perform them. The sham treatment will be performed 3 times and each will last a period of 60 seconds with a one minute rest in between.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control Group<br>This group will be individuals who suffer from the same injury but will be instructed to stretch at home 5 days a week for 2 weeks. | |
| Experimental: Grade IV AP joint mobilization plus standard treatment<br>This group will receive 3 60-second treatments of Grade IV AP joint mobilizations of the talus during each treatment session, with a one minute rest in between each treatment. | Other: Grade IV AP joint mobilizations<br>* 3 60-second treatments of Grade IV AP joint mobilizations of the talus during each treatment session, with a one minute rest in between each treatment.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in dorsiflexion range of motion |  | Baseline and 4 weeks | 
| Change in posterior talar glide |  | Baseline and 4 weeks | 
| Change in posterior talar translation |  | Baseline and 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in self reported function |  | Baseline and 4 weeks | 
| Change in ankle stiffness |  | Baseline and 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Ankle Sprain, Joint Mobilization, Manual Therapy, Range of Motion