The investigation of the effect of balance training following sensory targeted ankle rehabilitation strategies on postural control, joint range of motion, function and kinesiophobia in athletes with chronic ankle instability

The aim of our study is to analyze the use of isolated sensory (STARS (ST)), isolated motor (balance training (BT)) and combined targeted (balance+STARS (SBT)) treatment approaches, in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI) to compare the effects on postural control (PC), dorsiflexion joint range motion (DFROM), function and kinesiophobia. Twenty-one athletes aged 18-25 years diagnosed with CAI using the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI) questionnaire were included. Athletes were randomized into BT (n=7), ST (n=7), and SBT (n=7) groups. In the evaluations of PC, DFROM, function, and kinesiophobia, respectively; Y balance test, weight-bearing lunge test, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM-ADL, FAAM-S), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia were used. All assessments were repeated at the beginning and end of treatment. During 6 weeks, hop to stabilization was applied to the BT group, STARS program to the ST group, and STARS to the SBT group for 2 weeks, followed by hop to stabilization for 4 weeks. The treatment program was applied to all groups for 6 weeks, 3 days a week, for 20 minutes. Statistical analyzes were performed both between groups and within the group time (pre-test, post-test). There was a significant increase in balance in posterolateral and posteromedial directions and kinesiophobia in the intragroup evaluation in all three groups (respectively p=0,000, p= 0,000, p= 0,000)). In the BT and SBT groups, there was a significant increase in FAAM-ADL, FAAM-S, IdFAI scores and DFROM in the within-group evaluation (respectively, (p = 0,001, p= 0,001), (p=0,001, p= 0,000), (p=0,000, p= 0,000), (p=0,04, p= 0,019)). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups. As a result, the sequentially applied STARS program; balance training and isolated STARS did not provide superiority. Isolated STARS alone is not sufficient for the treatment of CAI deficits. We recommend that STARS be used as a complementary therapy in CAI rehabilitation.