Functional and Kinetic Treatment With Rehabilitation Combined With Cryotherapy Compared to Cryotherapy Alone in the Treatment of Acute Grade I or II Inversion Ankle Sprains: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation (FAKTR) combined with cryotherapy to cryotherapy alone in the treatment of acute grade I or II inversion ankle sprains.

Methods

This prospective, randomized clinical trial of adult (18-40 years of age) participants (n = 40) with acute grade I or II inversion ankle sprain of less than 3 weeks, who were randomly allocated into a FAKTR and cryotherapy group (n = 20) or a cryotherapy only group (n = 20). The participants had 3 treatments (inclusive of the initial consultation), with a fourth as a measurement follow-up (2 weeks after the third treatment). Measurement procedures were completed at the outset of the first to third consultations and the fourth measurement only consultation. Clinical measures taken by a blinded research assistant included the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Foot function index, algometer, digital inclinometer for ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measures, the figure-of-8 maneuver measured swelling, and the Stork-Balance-Stand Test.

Results

Significant intergroup differences were observed for pain rating (P ≤ .01; 95% confidence interval [CI] –4.74 to 0.86), pain pressure threshold (P ≤ .05; 95% CI –1.06 to 1.52), balance and proprioception (P ≤ .01; 95% CI –5.28 to –1.39), and foot function index (P ≤ .01; 95% CI –30.12 to 4.83). No significant intergroup differences were observed in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (P = .242; 95% CI –3.17 to 1.20) and edema measurements (P = .602; 95% CI 0.41-1.46).

Conclusion

The FAKTR instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment combined with cryotherapy indicated a trend toward greater clinical effectiveness than cryotherapy for measures of pain, pain pressure threshold, balance and proprioception, and foot function index; however, these outcomes were not reflected for ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and edema measurements.