Earticle

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neuromuscular exercise therapy on person with chronic ankle instability. Twenty-one patients with unilateral ankle sprain and functional instability over 1 year were recruited and randomly assigned in 2 groups; neuromuscular exercise and control. Exercise group (n=11) participated in 8-weeks neuromuscular exercise program which incorporated balance, strengthening, plyometrics and agility; single leg stance, double leg heel rise, double leg lateral jump and lateral shuttle run exercise. Control group (n=10) performed conservative warm-up and stretching exercise during the same period. The outcome measures chosen to assess for efficacy of the exercise were; (1) Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Scoring scale for ankle injury. After 8-weeks, exercise group showed significant improvement of SEBT in 7 of 8 direction compared to control group(p<0.05). And ankle injury score was also higher in exercise group(90.8±6.8) compared to control group(79.5±8.6)(p<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that neuromuscular exercise therapy is worth to apply on patients with chronic ankle instability to improve balance and functional stability.

Purpose: This study was to investigate the short-term effects of spiral taping (ST) on performance on the star excursion balance test (SEBT) in individuals with unilateral chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods: This study was single-group pre - post measures experimental design. The subjects with CAI were 39 (range, 20-31 years; male 16, females 23) were enrolled in the study. The discomfort had in unilateral ankle and Cumberland ankle instability score was 19.56 (${\pm}3.29$). Spiral tape (a width of 3 mm) was applied $3{\times}4$ cross shape on medial malleolus, lateral malleolus and dorsal of talocural joint of unstable ankle. SEBT was measured baseline and 30 min later in stable ankle and unstable ankle. Results: SEBT showed significantly improved after applying the ST (p<0.05, ES=0.74) on unstable ankle. In comparison the difference of stable and unstable ankle, between the pretest and posttest were significant differences (p<0.01, ES=1.88). Conclusion: These results indicated that ST improves performance on the SEBT. Therefore, it suggests that ST may be a suitable intervention to dynamic balance in patients with CAI.

Objective: To compare the postural control between non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) subgroups and healthy people during dynamic balance performance using a modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eighteen NSCLBP subjects (9 active extension pattern [AEP], 9 flexion pattern [FP]), and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. All subjects performed mSEBT on their dominant leg on a force plate. Normalized reach distance and balance parameters, including the center of pressure (COP) displacement and velocity, were recorded. Results: There were significant differences in mean reach distances in both posterolateral and posteromedial (PM) reach directions between AEP and healthy subjects (p<0.001) and between FP and healthy subjects (p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences among the three groups in the anterior reach direction. Also, the results showed no significant differences in mean COP variables (velocity and displacement) between pooled NSCLBP and healthy subjects. However, the subjects were reclassified into AEP, FP and healthy groups and the results showed a significant difference in mean COP velocity in the PM direction between AEP and FP subjects (p=0.048), and between AEP and healthy subjects (p=0.024). Conclusions: The findings in this study highlight the heterogeneity of the individuals with NSCLBP and the importance of identifying the homogenous subgroups. Individuals with AEP and FP experience deficits in dynamic postural control compared to healthy controls. In addition, the findings of this study support the concept of the Multidimensional Classification System.

Background: This study examined the effect of ankle stabilizing exercise, including gluteus exercises and ankle exercises on the pain, function, and balance of patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods: After randomly classifying 15 people per group into the experimental group and control group. The experimental group performed stabilizing exercise including gluteus exercises, the control group performed stabilizing exercise including ankle exercises. Each group performed the exercise three times per week for four weeks. The SPSS 23.0 program was used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant differences in visual analogue scale (VAS), cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT), star excursion balance test (SEBT) were observed in the experimental group and control group(p<.05). A comparison after intervention between each other groups revealed, a significant difference in the VAS (p<.05), but no significant difference in CAIT and, SEBT (p>.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that stabilizing exercise, including gluteus muscles and ankle exercises are encouraged because of the effects on pain, ankle instability decrease, and Dynamic balance increase in patients with chronic ankle pain

Objective: The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Y-Balance Test (YBT) have been commonly applied to measure dynamic postural stability ability. These two tests are utilized interchangeably in various settings. However, they could in fact require different movements to assess dynamic postural stability, as one uses a platform and different measuring techniques than the other. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference in the kinematic patterns in physically active population while performing the SEBT and the YBT. Method: Seventy participants performed in the Anterior (AN), Posteromedial (PM), and Posterolateral (PL) directions of the SEBT and the YBT. The kinematics of hip, knee, and ankle in sagittal plane was calculated and analyzed. Paired-sample t-tests were performed to compare joint angular displacement in the ankle, knee, and hip between the SEBT and the YBT. Results: Significant differences in angular displacement at the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane between performance on the SEBT and on the YBT were observed. Conclusion: Clinicians and researchers should not apply these dynamic postural control tasks interchangeably from one task to another. There appear to be kinematic pattern differences between tests in healthy physical active population.