title: Balance Training Versus Balance Training With STARS in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Both balance training and selected interventions meant to target sensory structures (STARS) have been shown to be effective at restoring deficits associated with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Clinicians often use multiple treatment modalities in patients with CAI. However, evidence for combined intervention effectiveness in CAI patients remains limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if augmenting a balance-training protocol with STARS (BTS) results in greater improvements than balance training (BT) alone in those with CAI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  24 CAI participants (age 21.3 ± 2.0 y; height 169.8 ± 12.9 cm; mass 72.5 ± 22.2 kg) were randomized into 2 groups: BT and BTS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a 4-week progression-based balance-training protocol consisting of 3 20-min sessions per week. The experimental group also received a 5-min set of STARS treatments consisting of calf stretching, plantar massage, ankle joint mobilizations, and ankle joint traction before each balance-training session.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcomes included self-assessed disability, Star Excursion Balance Test reach distance, and time-to-boundary calculated from static balance trials. All outcomes were assessed before, and 24-hours and 1-week after protocol completion. Self-assessed disability was also captured 1-month after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant group differences were identified (P > .10). Both groups demonstrated improvements in all outcome categories after the interventions (P < .10), many of which were retained at 1-week posttest (P < .10). Although 90% CIs include zero, effect sizes favor BTS. Similarly, only the BTS group exceeded the minimal detectable change for time-to-boundary outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While statistically no more effective, exceeding minimal detectable change scores and favorable effect sizes suggest that a 4-week progressive BTS program may be more effective at improving self-assessed disability and postural control in CAI patients than balance training in isolation.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Burcal
authors.forename: Alejandra Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Trier
authors.forename: Erik A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wikstrom
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ankle instability; joint mobilization; joint traction; plantar massage