The effect of tele-rehabilitation under a comprehensive exercise program on the function of patients with chronic ankle instability: A randomized controlled trial

Design

Single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objective

To investigate whether there is a difference in the therapeutic effect of remote exercise therapy and clinic-based exercise therapy on the recovery of motor function in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) under a comprehensive exercise program.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG) or the tele-rehabilitation group (TRG). The CG underwent a 4-week clinic-based exercise rehabilitation program, while the TRG received guidance on using a tele-rehabilitation application followed by a 4-week tele-rehabilitation regimen. The participants in both groups underwent exercise therapy under the same exercise prescription framework. Outcome measures, including functionality, pain, strength, balance, and self-efficacy, were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.

Results

A total of 48 participants completed the trial. At the 4-week mark, all outcomes demonstrated significant improvement compared to baseline, indicating that both treatment modalities utilizing the comprehensive exercise program enhanced the functionality of patients with CAI. By 8 weeks, functional improvements were sustained in both groups. Notably, among all outcomes, only the Modified Gait Efficacy Scale (mGES) revealed a significant group effect, with the CG exhibiting higher mGES than the TRG (P < 0.001 at 4 weeks and P = 0.002 at 8 weeks).

Conclusion

The results suggest that, under a comprehensive exercise program, tele-rehabilitation can achieve outcomes comparable to clinic-based exercise therapy in enhancing motor function in patients with CAI, with only a slight disadvantage in improving self-efficacy compared to clinic-based therapy.