title: Home-based physical therapy intervention with adherence-enhancing strategies versus clinic-based management for patients with ankle sprains.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To some extent, favorable treatment outcomes for physical therapy intervention programs depend on patients attending their clinic appointments and adhering to the program requirements. Previous studies have found less-than-optimal levels of clinic attendance, and a viable option might be physical therapy intervention programs with a large component of home treatment. This study investigated the effects of a standard physical therapy intervention program--delivered primarily at either the clinic or home--on ankle function, rehabilitation adherence, and motivation in patients with ankle sprains.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-seven people with acute ankle sprains who were about to start a course of physical therapy intervention participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a prospective design, subjects were randomly assigned to either a clinic intervention group or a home intervention group. Ankle function and motivation were measured before and after rehabilitation, and adherence to the clinic- and home-based programs was measured throughout the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups had similar scores for post-treatment ankle function, adherence, and motivation. The home intervention group had a significantly higher percentage of attendance at clinic appointments and better physical therapy intervention program completion rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Home-based physical therapy intervention appears to be a viable option for patients with sprained ankles.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. sandra.bassett@aut.ac.nz
authors.forename: Sandra F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Bassett
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Prapavessis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000534:rehabilitation*