Uneven treadmill training for rehabilitation of lateral ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

Effect of Progressive Balance Control Strategies on Chronic Ankle Instability in Middle-Aged Obese Women

INTRODUCTION

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a disease characterized by persistent feelings of instability in the ankle joint and a propensity for recurrent ankle sprains. It is often caused by ligamentous laxity or neuromuscular deficits. Middle-aged obese females represent a demographic subset at increased risk for CAI due to factors such as reduced proprioception and increased loading on the ankle joint. The gaps in the current evidence suggest that more research is needed on middle-aged obese females, who are particularly vulnerable to CAI due to physiological changes associated with poor balance.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine the effect of progressive balance control strategies on CAI in middle-aged obese women.

METHOD

In this experimental study, 72 patients with CAI in middle-aged women were selected randomly using a simple random sampling method. Females aged 35-45 with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 kg/m2 and a history of ankle sprains greater than one and having residual symptoms. The experimental group (Group B) received progressive balance control strategies, and the conventional group (Group A) received conventional balance exercises. Foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM) scale, push-and-release test (PART), single-leg stance test (SLST), evaluations, and star excursion balance test (SEBT) were used for pre- and posttreatment.

RESULTS

The experimental group post-intervention for static balance, dynamic balance, and postural control tests showed extremely significant improvement with a p-value of <0.0001. Between groups A and B, the dynamic balance was considered very significant, with a p-value of 0.0001. In the single-leg stance test, Group B's result was significantly greater than that of Group A's (63.4 + 16.1 and 63.4 + 16.1). PART results indicate that Group B is more significant than Group A (0.76 and 0.51, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded that progressive balance control strategy training is effective in middle-aged obese women with CAI.