《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2022, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (7): 783-788.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2022.07.007

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Immediate effect of soft brace on chronic ankle instability

GAO Weiguang1,LIU Shuhui1,MA Yubao2a(),LOU Yabing2b   

  1. 1. Graduate Department, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110102, China
    2. a. Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center; b. Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100144, China
  • Received:2022-03-05 Revised:2022-05-30 Published:2022-07-25 Online:2022-08-08
  • Contact: MA Yubao E-mail:myb-sreha@ccmu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China (General)(61773042);Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University Scientific Research Outlays for Doctoral Program(2020-066)

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the immediate effect of wearing a soft ankle brace on dynamic and static balance function and biomechanics of affected lower limbs during walking in chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients.

Methods From January to August, 2021, 40 CAI patients from Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University were measured dynamic and static balance indexes with Zebris FDM-System and Y balance test, before and after wearing a soft ankle brace; while the kinetics indexes and surface electromyography of the affected lower extremities during walking were collected with Zebris FDM-System and a surface electromyography telemeter simultaneously.

Results The velocity and area of center of pressure reduced in both open and closed eye modes (|t| > 2.876, P < 0.01), the Y-balance scores increased in all the directions (|t| > 21.212, P< 0.001) after wearing brace; while the peak pressures and impulses increased in the midfoot and medial forefoot regions (|t| > 2.057, P < 0.05), and decreased in the lateral heel, lateral forefoot and toe regions (|t| > 2.464, P < 0.05), and the root mean square of surface electromyography increased in the tibialis anterior and lateral gastrocnemius (|t| > 2.159, P < 0.05) during walking.

Conclusion Wearing soft brace can immediately improve dynamic and static balance of CAI patients, and optimize plantar kinetic distribution and enhance activation of the anterior tibial and the lateral head of gastrocnemius of the affected limb during walking, to improve motor control of CAI patients.

Key words: chronic ankle instability, soft brace, balance, plantar kinetics

CLC Number: