BACKWARD WALKING VERSUS BALANCE TRAINING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ANKLE INSTABILITY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

RESUMO

Heba A. ElGayar*, Rania R. Mohamed, Ghada A. Abd-Allah, Amr A. Azzam, Neveen A. Abdel Raoof

Background: Ankle instability is a common injury, affecting the quality of life, self-reported function, ankle proprioception as well as static and dynamic balance. Purpose: to compare the efficacy of backward walking and Biodex balance training in chronic ankle instability patients. Methods: Sixty subjects participated in this study; their age ranged from 19 to 35 years. They were randomly allocated into three equal groups. Group A received a traditional physical therapy treatment in addition to backward walking training, Group B received a traditional physical therapy treatment in addition to Biodex balance training, and Group C received a traditional physical therapy treatment only (strength training, short foot exercises, heel raise exercises, and calf stretch). All groups received treatment protocols three times a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Outcome measures included the stability indices measured by the Biodex Balance System as well as ankle proprioception measured by a digital goniometer, and functional limitations by the Foot and Ankle Disability Index. Results: Post-treatment Within-Group findings revealed a statistically significant balance improvement by a decrease in the overall, anteroposterior, and medio lateral stability indices, a decrease in ankle proprioception error, as well as a significant increase in Foot and Ankle Disability Index outcomes of all 3 groups (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences between groups A, and B related to stability indices, ankle proprioception, and Foot and Ankle Disability Index, while, there were statistically significant differences between groups A and B compared with group C. Conclusion: Backward walking training has a significant effect which appears to be similar to the Biodex balance training in improving balance, risk of fall, ankle proprioception, and decreasing functional limitations in patients with chronic ankle instability