《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2022, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (2): 132-143.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2022.02.002

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Effect of physical therapy on neuromuscular control dysfunction for chronic ankle instability: a systematic review

SHI Xiaojian1,RONG Jifeng1,CAI Bin2,LIU Yu3,HAN Jia3()   

  1. 1. Rehabilitation Center, the First Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai 200090, China
    2. Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, China
    3. School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
  • Received:2020-11-26 Revised:2021-10-25 Published:2022-02-25 Online:2022-03-09
  • Contact: HAN Jia E-mail:jia.han@canberra.edu.au
  • Supported by:
    National Nature Science Foundation of China (General)(31870936);Program for Overseas High-level Talents at Shanghai(TP2017062)

Abstract:

Objective To identify the effectiveness of physical therapy on neuromuscular control dysfunction of chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods CAI physiotherapy-related systematic reviews, meta-analysis, randomized controlled studies and case-controlled studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, PEDro, EBSCO and CNKI from October 1st, 2010 to October 1st, 2020. After quality assessment, the research evidence regarding certain intervention was then graded according to the Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine. Results A total of 20 articles were included. Intervention based on unstable plane exercise training could significantly improve lower limb balance control ability (Ⅰ A) and muscle strength (Ⅱ A) for CAI patients. The efficiency of exercise-based intervention could be further raised (Ⅱ C) with the aid of external equipment, but either the benefits in muscle reaction (Ⅲ C) or proprioception (Ⅱ D) was limited. Six sessions or more of manual therapy could be used to enhance the balance ability of the lower limbs (Ⅱ B), while taping failed to provide improvements in ankle proprioception in short period or immediately (Ⅰ A). Conclusion Unstable plane training-based therapeutic exercise and manual therapy could effectively enhance the neuromuscular control with high-quality evidence supporting, which can be primary interventions for CAI patients. Meanwhile, taping and other external devices could be used as adjunct methods to improve the efficiency of physiotherapy program, while there is currently no evidence to support the application of modality treatment in neuromuscular control of CAI.

Key words: chronic ankle instability, neuromuscular control, physiotherapy techniques, overview of systematic review

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