The Effect of Strain-counterstrain on Ankle Instability

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study seeks to determine the effectiveness of Strain Counterstrain in the treatment of chronic ankle instability.

Detailed Description
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This study aimed to determine the effect of Strain Counterstrain (SCS) on dynamic balance and subjective sense of instability in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Although many studies have been published on CAI, the cause for this common clinical dysfunction remains inconclusive. No studies have assessed the effectiveness of SCS on CAI. Baseline information on all participants includes a demographic questionnaire, the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Participants were randomized into the SCS intervention group or the sham SCS control group. All participants received an intervention (as assigned) once a week for four weeks in addition to performing a prescribed home exercise program. At week four all participants repeated the outcome measures and completed a Global Rating of Change (GROC) form. The primary aim was examined with a 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Official Title
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The Effectiveness of Strain Counterstrain in the Treatment of Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Conditions
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Other Instability, Ankle and Foot

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Strain Counterstrain
* Other: Sham strain counterstrain


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: history of at least 1 ankle sprain, with pain and/or limping for more than 1 day, at least 3 months earlier 3 of more episodes of ankle giving way in the last 12 months chronic instability attributed to the original sprain injury age between 18-55 Exclusion Criteria: history of fracture or surgery in the affected ankle any other lower extremity musculoskeletal injury on the side of the involved ankle vestibular dysfunction or disorder history of balance dysfunction history of stroke or any other neurological pathology or disease history of ACL injury current participation in physical therapy or rehabilitation for the ankle injury evidence of CNS dysfunction

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Experimental group<br>Strain counterstrain intervention | Other: Strain Counterstrain<br> <br> |
| Sham Comparator: Control Group<br>Sham Strain Counterstrain intervention | Other: Sham strain counterstrain<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Star Excursion Balance Test | A measure assessing dynamic standing balance as the individual stands on one leg and reaches, with the other leg, in eight different directions. The distances reached with the non-stance leg are measured. | baseline | 
| Star Excursion Balance Test | A measure assessing dynamic standing balance as the individual stands on one leg and reaches, with the other leg, in eight different directions. The distances reached with the non-stance leg are measured. | 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Foot and Ankle Ability Measure | This measures assesses ankle function skills subjectively via a questionnaire | baseline | 
| Foot and Ankle Ability Measure | This measures assesses ankle function skills subjectively via a questionnaire | 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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chronic ankle instability, lateral ankle sprain, manual therapy, star excursion balance test, strain and counterstrain