The Effects of Gentle Movements at the Ankle in Individuals With Diminished Range of Motion

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Lateral Ankle Sprain
• Interventions: Other: Sham ("laying of hands") intervention; Other: Grade IV AP joint mobilizations

• Registration Number: NCT01119092
• Lead Sponsor: University of Virginia

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is the examine the effects of gentle movements applied to the ankle joint and stretching on self-reported function, ankle motion and stiffness in individuals who have suffered from an ankle sprain within the last year and have decreased ankle motion.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is the examine the effects of a grade IV anterior to posterior joint mobilization and stretching on self-reported function, dorsiflexion range of motion, talar glide and stiffness in individuals who have suffered from an ankle sprain within the last year and have a 5° dorsiflexion range of motion deficit.

We will quantify range of motion with standard goniometric measures, stiffness with the use of an instrumented ankle arthrometer, talar glide with the use of the posterior talar glide test and self-reported function using the foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM) and FAAM-sport.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2010-01
• Study First Submitted: 2010-05-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-05-05
• Study First Posted: 2010-05-07
• Status Verified: 2011-05
• Primary Completion: 2011-05
• Study Completion: 2011-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-05-26
• Last Update Posted: 2011-05-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• History of a lateral ankle sprain within the last year
• Dorsiflexion range of motion deficit of 5°
• Return to full activity prior to participation in this study
• Individuals with dorsiflexion range of motion that is less than degrees of dorsiflexion.

Exclusion Criteria

• A history of ankle surgery that involves intra-articular fixation
• Syndesmotic ankle sprain (to be ruled out based on the attending certified athletic trainers diagnosis)
• A history or signs of reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Suffer from an acute injury in the lower extremity within the last 6 weeks
• Have received manual therapy for the ankle sprain prior to enrollment

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sham intervention plus standard treatment	Sham ("laying of hands") intervention	This group will receive a "laying of hands" treatment in addition to standard treatment. The clinician will place his/her hands in a position to perform the AP joint mobilizations but will not actually perform them. The sham treatment will be performed 3 times and each will last a period of 60 seconds with a one minute rest in between.
Grade IV AP joint mobilization plus standard treatment	Grade IV AP joint mobilizations	This group will receive 3 60-second treatments of Grade IV AP joint mobilizations of the talus during each treatment session, with a one minute rest in between each treatment.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in dorsiflexion range of motion	Baseline and 4 weeks
Change in posterior talar translation	Baseline and 4 weeks
Change in posterior talar glide	Baseline and 4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in self reported function	Baseline and 4 weeks
Change in ankle stiffness	Baseline and 4 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Virginia; 🇺🇸 Charlottesville, Virginia, United States