Efficacy of resistance training with elastic bands compared to proprioceptive training on balance and self-report measures in patients with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Proprioceptive training and resistance training are physiotherapy treatment methods for Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI).

Objective

To compare the efficacy of proprioceptive training to resistance training with elastic bands for treating CAI as measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), and the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT).

Method

Our systematic study and meta-analysis was based on the PICOS and PRISMA protocols. The PubMed, PEDro, and ScienceDirect databases were searched for randomized clinical trials on proprioceptive and resistance training. Risk of bias was assessed according to Cochrane guidelines and quality of evidence was reported using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach (GRADE).

Results

Five studies involving 259 patients were included in the review. According to the findings of the meta-analysis, proprioceptive training was similarly effective with resistance training in SEBT and FAAM measures. Compared with resistance exercise, proprioceptive training demonstrated some benefits in CAIT scores (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −2.21, 95% CI = −4.05–0.36), but these intervention results were not clinically significant (MDC, MCID score >3 points).

Conclusion

Low-quality evidence from studies showed that neither of the interventions was superior on the SEBT or the FAAM scores in individuals with CAI because no clinically significant differences were found. More high-quality studies comparing the two interventions are needed to draw firm conclusions.