Clinical Research Directory

The Effect of Cognitive Dual-Task on Athletic Performance Parameters in Volleyball Players With and Without Chronic Ankle Instability

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the cognitive dual-task on athletic performance parameters in volleyball players with and without chronic ankle instability. In addition, it will examine how a pathology in the lower extremity affects upper extremity function.

Dilute Epinephrine vs Tourniquet for Visualization in Ankle Arthroscopy: A RCT

This multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial investigates the effect of dilute epinephrine irrigation versus tourniquet use on visual field clarity (VFC) during ankle arthroscopy. Patients are randomized into an epinephrine group (normal saline with 1 mL of 1:1000 epinephrine per 3 L bag; tourniquet placed but not inflated unless needed) or a standard tourniquet group. The primary outcome is arthroscopic visual field clarity assessed using a 4-point Likert-style numeric rating scale. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain intensity at 2 and 24 hours (VAS), and the incidence of hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular adverse events.

Effect of Functional Core Stability Training or Cognitive Training on Balance and Postural Control in Chronic Ankle Instability

The purpose of the study is to investigate dynamic core stability training versus cognitive training on balance, functional performance, postural control, ankle instability scores, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and mental workload in chronic ankle instability

Fu's Subcutaneous Needling for Postacute Lateral Ankle Sprain and Prevention of Chronic Ankle Instability

Introduction: Fu's Subcutaneous Needling (FSN) is a new type of acupuncture treatment method based on the subcutaneous tissue sweeping technique, and it has been proven to have a good therapeutic effect on ankle sprain. However, at present, the difference between its curative effect and the ankle joint orthosis and exercise therapy recommended by the Guidelines remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the improvement effects of FSN on pain relief, joint function improvement, and ankle balance ability by comparing with ankle orthosis combined with exercise therapy. Verify whether it is more helpful in preventing the progression of lateral ankle sprain (LAS) to chronic ankle instability (CAI) and provide evidence-based basis for clinical decision-making. Methods and analysis: This study is a randomized, parallel - controlled, single - center prospective clinical study. This study will include 60 subjects with postacute lateral ankle sprain and divide them into the FSN group and the combined treatment group. There are 30 cases in each group. The FSN group will be treated with Fu's subcutaneous needling three times a week for a total of two weeks. The Combined treatment group will wear ankle orthotics from 9:00 to 20:00, and complete resistance exercise training every day for a total of two weeks.Patients will be followed up for 6 months after the treatment. The main efficacy index is the change value of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) compared to the baseline after 2 weeks of treatment. The secondary indicators include active range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) to prove the clinical efficacy. Ethics and dissemination: This study strictly adheres to the ethical guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki.This study has passed the review of the Ethics Committee of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine. Approval No.: YF 2025 - 158 - 01. All subjects will sign a written informed consent form. The research results will be publicly published in journals indexed by SCI. Keywords: Fu's subcutaneous needling, Ankle sprain, Postacute lateral ankle sprain, Chronic ankle instability, Functional rehabilitation, Balance, Non-surgical therapy

The Effects of Stroboscopic Visual Conditions on Gait and Lower Limb Muscle Activity in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

This interventional study will investigate the effects of stroboscopic visual conditions on gait patterns and lower limb muscle activation in adults with chronic ankle instability (CAI). CAI often results in impaired sensorimotor control, leading to altered gait strategies such as slower walking speed, shorter step length, and increased visual reliance. Stroboscopic glasses intermittently restrict visual input, potentially reducing visual dependence and enhancing proprioceptive feedback. Participants will complete walking trials under three randomized visual conditions: high-frequency stroboscopic, low-frequency stroboscopic, and no-glasses control. Gait parameters will be measured using the GAITRite system, and surface electromyography (sEMG) will record activation of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and gastrocnemius muscles. Findings may provide insight into sensorimotor adaptation mechanisms and inform rehabilitation strategies to improve functional stability in individuals with CAI.

Effect of Kinesiotaping on Lower Limb Kinematics and Functional Related Outcomes Among Female Athletes With Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

The current study aims to measure the effect of adding kinesiology tape to ankle mobilization with movement with calf muscles flexibility exercise on dorsiflexion range of motion, dynamic balance, lower limb kinematics, and self-reported physical function versus mobilization with movement, calf muscles flexibility exercise, and placebo kinesiotapping in female basketball players with unilateral chronic lateral ankle instability

Neurocognitive Ankle Training for Instability to Optimize Neuromusculoskeletal Outcomes (NATION)

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a novel ankle rehabilitation protocol on improving clinical and health outcomes in physically active individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Our central hypothesis is NATION, a novel rehabilitation intervention that includes neurocognitive tasks, will improve overall health and function, and reduce lower extremity musculoskeletal injury in physically active individuals with CAI.

Comparison of Resistance Training With and Without Plyometric Exercises on Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability.

Chronic ankle instability is characterized by a patient's being more than 12 months removed from the initial LAS and exhibiting a propensity for recurrent ankle sprains, frequent episodes or perceptions of the ankle giving way, and persistent symptoms such as pain, swelling, limited motion, weakness, and diminished self-reported function. This study will Compare Resistance Training with and without Plyometric exercises on Athletes with Chronic Ankle instability and changes will be recorded using different methods and tools. Patients will be randomly allocated into two different groups. Group A will be treated with resistance training and Group B will be treated with resistance training along with plyometric exercises . Participants will complete clinician-oriented tests. Participants of both groups will be evaluated before and after the application of respective interventions at the end of 8th week. Data will be analysed.

Role of Sensory Deficits on Sensorimotor Control in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability

Purpose: Chronic ankle instability (CAI), characterized by instances of repetitive sprains and giving way, is a common chronic dysfunction among athletes. Despite well documented evidence showing impaired peripheral sensory and both central and peripheral motor control, little was known regarding how CAI affects somatosensory cortical activation. Traditionally, management of CAI mostly focused on restoration of motor deficits, with less emphasis on sensory pathway deficits. Only few sensory targeted intervention methods including joint mobilization and massage, have been described. However, methods such as joint mobilization provide not only sensory stimulation but also mechanical alignment correction. In addition, these studies showed functional improvement without exploring mechanisms. Therefore we would like to apply for a three year study grant to firstly investigate the effect of CAI on peripheral and central somatosensation and neuromuscular performance; and secondly to examine the immediate effect of sensory-level electrical stimulation on neurophysiological variables and neuromuscular performance; and lastly to determine the short-term effect of intervention (sensory stimulation with exercise, sham stimulation with exercise, and exercise alone) in athletes with CAI. Research design and methods: This is a cross-sectional exploratory and randomized controlled study. For the first year, we plan to recruit 45 young athletes (20-40 years old) with CAI and 15 matched controls to compare the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), corticomuscular coherence (CMC), α- band event-related desynchronization (ERD), proprioception, two point discrimination threshold of the plantar surfaces, muscle activation and reaching distances of the Y balance test. Activity in the sensorimotor cortex will be recorded using a 64-chanel EEG (SAGA 32/64+ for EEG). Muscle activation is measured using an 8-channel electromyography (EMG) system (Noraxon myo METRICS Portable Lab, Noraxon U.S.A.). For the second year, the 45 young adults with CAI will be randomized into the sensory stimulation (TENS) group, the sham stimulation group, or the control group. The TENS group will receive 40 minutes of sensory electrical stimulation, and the sham group will receive 30 seconds of sensory stimulation at the beginning and end of the treatment. The control group will rest for 40 minutes. The assessment items are identical to those in the first year, and will be carried out before and immediately after the intervention. For the third year, the 45 young adults with CAI will be randomized into the exercise with sensory stimulation (EX-TENS) group, exercise with sham stimulation (EX-ss) group, or exercise alone (EX) group. Participants will receive five sessions of intervention (30 minutes neuromuscular training with or without 40 min stimulation) within two weeks and the assessment will be carried out before and after the intervention. Data analysis: Comparisons of all continuous variables are performed using oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA), and repeated measures ANOVA. The significance level is set at 0.05. Significance. Results of this study provide a better understanding for central somatosensory control mechanisms for chronic ankle instability, and help clinicians and trainers to choose the most appropriate training strategy for people with unstable ankles. We plan to present our work in 3-4 international conferences, and publish 2-3 papers in SCI journals in 5 years.