Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Improves Frontal Ankle Motor Control in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability During Drop Landing.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the frontal ankle motor control in individuals with chronic ankle instability during drop landing.

Design: This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. Thirty-six individuals with chronic ankle instability were randomly assigned to each group. Participants received 6-wk neuromuscular electrical stimulation intervention and sham stimulation in the neuromuscular electrical stimulation and control groups, respectively. Data were collected at week 0 and week 6 . A mixed-effects model and analysis of covariance were employed to investigate the between-group differences in continuous and discrete outcome variables at week 6 , with the outcome variables at week 0 as covariates.

Results: Compared to control group, neuromuscular electrical stimulation group exhibited a 2.66° (2.45, 2.86) reduction in frontal ankle inversion angle, a 47.41°/sec (-16.05, -78.77) decrease in peak ankle inversion angular velocity, and a 0.43 Nm/kg (0.18, 0.68) increase in peak ankle eversion moment during drop landing at week 6 .

Conclusions: Applying 6-wk neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the fibularis longus resulted in decreased ankle inversion angle and ankle inversion angular velocity and increased peak ankle eversion moment during drop landing. Consequently, neuromuscular electrical stimulation could be considered an effective modality for individuals with chronic ankle instability to enhance the frontal ankle movement patterns and overall ankle motor control.