Home-based physical therapy intervention with adherence-enhancing strategies versus clinic-based management for patients with ankle sprains

Abstract

Background and purpose: To some extent, favorable treatment outcomes for physical therapy intervention programs depend on patients attending their clinic appointments and adhering to the program requirements. Previous studies have found less-than-optimal levels of clinic attendance, and a viable option might be physical therapy intervention programs with a large component of home treatment. This study investigated the effects of a standard physical therapy intervention program--delivered primarily at either the clinic or home--on ankle function, rehabilitation adherence, and motivation in patients with ankle sprains.

Subjects: Forty-seven people with acute ankle sprains who were about to start a course of physical therapy intervention participated in the study.

Methods: Using a prospective design, subjects were randomly assigned to either a clinic intervention group or a home intervention group. Ankle function and motivation were measured before and after rehabilitation, and adherence to the clinic- and home-based programs was measured throughout the study.

Results: The groups had similar scores for post-treatment ankle function, adherence, and motivation. The home intervention group had a significantly higher percentage of attendance at clinic appointments and better physical therapy intervention program completion rate.

Discussion and conclusion: Home-based physical therapy intervention appears to be a viable option for patients with sprained ankles.