Short-Term Effects of Balance Training with Stroboscopic Vision for Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is one of the most common musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Stroboscopic vision (SV) training has been deemed to enhance somatosensorial pathways in this population group; nevertheless, until recently no studies have addressed the additional effects of this treatment option to the traditional therapeutic approach.

Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of a partial visual deprivation training protocol in patients with CAI, a randomized controlled trial was carried out. Patients with CAI (n = 73) were randomized into either a balance training, SV training, or a control (no training) group. For participants assigned into training groups, they received 18 training sessions over 6 weeks. The primary outcome was dynamic balance as measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcome measures included ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, self-reported instability feeling, and ankle functional status.

Results: Better scores in stroboscopic training and balance training groups in all outcome measures were observed in comparison with the control group with moderate to large effect sizes. Stroboscopic training was more effective than neuromuscular training in self-reported instability feeling (cohen's d = 0.71; p = 0.042) and anterior reach distance of the star excursion balance test (cohen's d = 1.23; p = 0.001).

Conclusions: Preliminary findings from the effects of SV Stroboscopic training in patients with CAI, suggest that SV may be beneficial in CAI rehabilitation.

Keywords: balance training; chronic ankle instability; stroboscopic vision.

Figure 1

Flow chart of the study design and participants’ follow up through the trial.

Figure 2

CAIT change scores after the intervention. Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT). ‡ (SVBT > BT); * (BT > CG).

Figure 3

Anterior SEBT change scores after the intervention. Anterior reach distance of the star excursion balance test (SVBT any). ‡ (SVBT > BT) * (BT > CG).