The effectiveness of mobilization with movement on pain, balance and function following acute and sub acute inversion ankle sprain - A randomized, placebo controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of mobilization with movement (MWM) on pain, ankle mobility and function in patients with acute and sub-acute grade I and II inversion ankle sprain.

Study design: Randomized placebo controlled trial.

Setting: A general hospital.

Subjects: 32 adults with inversion ankle sprain.

Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was pain intensity on an 11 point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) with higher score indicating greater pain intensity. Ankle disability identified by the Foot and Ankle Disability index (FADI) with higher score indicating lower disability, functional ankle dorsiflexion range, pressure pain threshold, and dynamic balance measured with the Y balance test were secondary outcomes.

Results: Thirty participants completed the study. At each follow-up point, significant differences were found between groups favouring those receiving MWM for all variables. Pain intensity showed a mean difference of 1.7 points (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 2.1) and 0.9 points (95% confidence interval, 0.5 to 1.3) at one and six-months follow-up respectively. Benefits were also shown for FADI, ankle mobility, pressure pain threshold and balance.

Conclusion: This study provides preliminary data for the benefits of MWM for acute and sub-acute ankle sprain in terms of pain, ankle mobility, disability and balance.

Keywords: Ankle sprain; Balance; Manual therapy; Mobilization with movement; Pressure pain threshold; Weight-bearing lunge test.