The effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the ankle pronators on neural excitability & functional status in patients with chronic ankle instability.
Phys Ther Sport
; 60: 1-8, 2023 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36634453
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is associated with decreased neural excitability that negatively impacts function. This study assessed a 2-week neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) intervention over the ankle pronators on neural excitability, performance, and patient-reported function in patients with CAI. STUDYDESIGN:
Randomized controlled trial.PARTICIPANTS:
Twenty participants with CAI completed the study. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURES:
Participants were assessed for reflexive and corticospinal excitability to the ankle muscles, dynamic balance, side-hop test performance and patient-reported outcomes at baseline, post-intervention (2-weeks), and retention (4-weeks). Between baseline and post-intervention, participants reported for 5 sessions where they received either sub-noxious NMES (nâ¯=â¯11) or sensory-level TENS (nâ¯=â¯9) over the ankle pronators.RESULTS:
Improved reflexive excitability to the ankle pronators was observed in TENS at post-intervention (pâ¯=â¯0.030) and retention (pâ¯=â¯0.029). Cortical excitability to the dorsiflexors increased in TENS at post-intervention (pâ¯=â¯0.017), but not at retention (pâ¯=â¯0.511). No significant changes were found for other neural measures, balance ability, hopping, or patient-reported function (pâ¯>â¯0.050).CONCLUSIONS:
Our results suggest TENS modified neural excitability; however, these changes were not enough to impact clinical function. While TENS may be capable of neuromodulation, it may require rehabilitative exercise to generate lasting changes. NCT04322409. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 2.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Instabilidade Articular
/
Tornozelo
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article