N/A
N=36
The Effect of Additional Neurodynamic Intervention in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability
Ankle Sprains
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05090423 ↗Enrolled (actual)
36
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Jan 2026
Primary outcome: Primary: Pressure Pain Threshold- Anterior Talofibular Ligament — 4.19; 3.98 kg/ cm²
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- balance training alone (Other); balance training and neurodynamic intervention for the common peroneal nerve (Other)
- Age
- Adult · 20+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
- Primary completion
- Jun 2024
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Pressure Pain Threshold- Anterior Talofibular Ligament |
4.19; 3.98 | — |
| PRIMARY Pressure Pain Threshold- Calcaneofibular Ligament |
4.98; 4.67 | — |
| PRIMARY Active Knee Extension Range of Motion During Slump Test in Ankle Plantar Flexion With Inversion |
24.53; 17.8 | 0.018 sig |
| PRIMARY Pressure Pain Threshold- Peroneal Brevis Muscle |
4.66; 4.27 | — |
| PRIMARY Pressure Pain Threshold- Peroneal Longus Muscle |
6.3; 5.93 | — |
| PRIMARY Pressure Pain Threshold- Common Peroneal Nerve |
5.47; 4.89 | — |
| SECONDARY Y Balance Test- Anterior Direction |
61.18; 59.22 | — |
| SECONDARY The Foot and Ankle Ability Measures- Sports |
93.35; 93.55 | — |
| SECONDARY The Foot and Ankle Ability Measures- Activity of Life |
98.13; 97.86 | — |
| SECONDARY Weight Bearing Lunge Test |
41.27; 40.38 | — |
| SECONDARY Hamstring Flexibility |
38.07; 30.78 | — |
| SECONDARY The Foot and Ankle Ability Measures- Activity of Life (Self- Awareness Score) |
92.27; 93.73 | — |
| SECONDARY The Foot and Ankle Ability Measures- Sports (Self- Awareness Score) |
86.67; 88.13 | — |
| SECONDARY Y Balance- Posterolateral Direction |
103.17; 97.19 | — |
| SECONDARY Y Balance- Posteromedial Direction |
98.13; 94.62 | — |
Summary
Approximately 40% of acute ankle sprain would develop into chronic ankle instability (CAI). Chronic ankle instability is characterized by pain, repeated sprains and giving way. Recently, the pathomechanical impairment, sensory-perceptual impairment and motor-behavioral impairment have been documented in the chronic ankle instability model. Previous research revealed that compared to the control subjects, people with CAI had lower pressure pain threshold (PPT). This increased mechanosensitivity of the neural tissues around the ankle might account for pain and dysfunction in people with CAI. Also, the other study indicated that in subjects following ankle inversion sprain there is greater restriction of knee extension on the injured side compared to non-injured side in the slump test with the ankle plantar flexion and inversion, which may suggest the restriction in mobility of the common peroneal tract. However, the effects of neurodynamic intervention, which addresses the mechanosensitivity problems, in people with CAI are still unclear.
Therefore, the aim of the study is to investigate the effect of additional neurodynamic intervention on the ankle range of motion, mechanosensitivity, balance performance and self-reported function.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- History of at least two ankle sprains in the same leg, of which the first sprain is more than one year
- Leading to at least one interrupted day of desired physical activity
- The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) ≦ 24
- Slump test in ankle plantar flexion with inversion: positive
Exclusion Criteria
- Pregnancy
- Surgical treatments
- Previous fractures in either lower extremity
- Any concomitant lower extremity pathology, for example, vascular disease, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Significant pain or injury to the lumbar or cervical spine
- Regular use of medication: anti-inflammatory drugs, painkiller, steroid or muscle relaxants
- Previous manual therapy or exercise interventions received on the lower extremity within the previous 3 months
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05090423). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.