Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of comprehensive rehabilitation direction on functional ankle instability (FAI). Methods 32 consecutive patients with FAI were divided into 2 groups. The rehabilitation group (n=16) finished their rehabilitation program under the instruction of physiotherapists in the hospital, and the control group (n=16) exercised at home by written instruction. All the patients were tested with One Leg Standing Test (OLST) and Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) for the injured ankle before and 4 weeks after training.Results The scores of both OLST and FADI improved after training in the rehabilitation group (P<0.01), but did not in the control group (P>0.05); and improved more in the rehabilitation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The comprehensive rehabilitation direction is effctive on FAI.

Key words: functional ankle instability, postural control, One Leg Standing Test, Foot and Ankle Disability Index, rehabilitation direction