Effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instability

Abstract Background Functional ankle instability (FAI) is a common chronic disease after ankle sprains, and exercise intervention can improve symptoms of instability. This research aims to assess the effect of two new ankle balance device training programs on the ankle function and postural control...

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Main Authors: Jiasheng Xu, Huijuan Lin, Haibin Liu, Di Xie, Huifang Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-06195-z
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author Jiasheng Xu
Huijuan Lin
Haibin Liu
Di Xie
Huifang Chen
author_facet Jiasheng Xu
Huijuan Lin
Haibin Liu
Di Xie
Huifang Chen
author_sort Jiasheng Xu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Functional ankle instability (FAI) is a common chronic disease after ankle sprains, and exercise intervention can improve symptoms of instability. This research aims to assess the effect of two new ankle balance device training programs on the ankle function and postural control ability in individuals with functional ankle instability. Methods A total of sixty-eight participants with FAI were randomly assigned to three groups: the spherical ankle balance device (SABD) group, the ensiform ankle balance device (EABD) group and the control group. Participants in all three groups engaged in an 8-week exercise intervention, conducting 4 times per week, each lasting 30 min. Variables were assessed before and after the intervention immediately, including the CAIT score, peroneal muscle reaction time, joint position sense, ankle inversion and eversion torques, and postural control ability. A paired t-test was utilized to compare results within each group, while one-way ANOVA was applied for comparisons between groups. Stepwise regression analysis was performed using the changes in CAIT score post-training as the dependent variable, with changes in peroneal muscle reaction time, position sense, postural control ability, and ankle torque as independent variables to establish a regression equation. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistically significant differences. Results After eight weeks of intervention, the SABD and EABD groups exhibited significant reductions in peroneal muscle reaction time (P < 0.05) and increases in ankle eversion torque (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The EABD group demonstrated superior outcomes in ankle inversion and eversion torque and postural control compared to SABD groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Training with new ankle balance devices significantly enhanced postural control and ankle function in patients with FAI, especially for ensiform ankle balance device. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR2500107096, 20,250,804 (Retrospectively registered).
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spelling doaj-art-fa566c7d47144cda97a23fc07f5dab6b2025-08-24T11:40:26ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-08-0120111010.1186/s13018-025-06195-zEffects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instabilityJiasheng Xu0Huijuan Lin1Haibin Liu2Di Xie3Huifang Chen4Guangzhou Sport UniversityGuangzhou Sport UniversityShandong First Medical UniversityGuangzhou Sport UniversityGuangzhou Medical UniversityAbstract Background Functional ankle instability (FAI) is a common chronic disease after ankle sprains, and exercise intervention can improve symptoms of instability. This research aims to assess the effect of two new ankle balance device training programs on the ankle function and postural control ability in individuals with functional ankle instability. Methods A total of sixty-eight participants with FAI were randomly assigned to three groups: the spherical ankle balance device (SABD) group, the ensiform ankle balance device (EABD) group and the control group. Participants in all three groups engaged in an 8-week exercise intervention, conducting 4 times per week, each lasting 30 min. Variables were assessed before and after the intervention immediately, including the CAIT score, peroneal muscle reaction time, joint position sense, ankle inversion and eversion torques, and postural control ability. A paired t-test was utilized to compare results within each group, while one-way ANOVA was applied for comparisons between groups. Stepwise regression analysis was performed using the changes in CAIT score post-training as the dependent variable, with changes in peroneal muscle reaction time, position sense, postural control ability, and ankle torque as independent variables to establish a regression equation. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistically significant differences. Results After eight weeks of intervention, the SABD and EABD groups exhibited significant reductions in peroneal muscle reaction time (P < 0.05) and increases in ankle eversion torque (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The EABD group demonstrated superior outcomes in ankle inversion and eversion torque and postural control compared to SABD groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Training with new ankle balance devices significantly enhanced postural control and ankle function in patients with FAI, especially for ensiform ankle balance device. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR2500107096, 20,250,804 (Retrospectively registered).https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-06195-zFunctional ankle instabilityPostural control abilityBalance device trainingPeroneal muscle reaction time
spellingShingle Jiasheng Xu
Huijuan Lin
Haibin Liu
Di Xie
Huifang Chen
Effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instability
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Functional ankle instability
Postural control ability
Balance device training
Peroneal muscle reaction time
title Effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instability
title_full Effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instability
title_fullStr Effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instability
title_full_unstemmed Effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instability
title_short Effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instability
title_sort effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle instability
topic Functional ankle instability
Postural control ability
Balance device training
Peroneal muscle reaction time
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-06195-z
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