CONTEXT: Tai Chi is a physical activity modality which is widely practiced over the world. The effectiveness of Tai Chi on postural control and balance, has been described in older population but until recently there is no studies which includes patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 12 weeks of Tai Chi intervention on dynamic balance and self-reported instability in patients with CAI. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was carried out. SETTING: University Physical Therapy facility. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two participants were allocated to intervention group (n = 26) based on Tai Chi training or a control group (n = 26) who received no intervention. INTERVENTION: The participants completed twelve weeks of Tai Chi intervention (one hour session/two times per week) or no intervention in the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included postural control and self-reported instability feeling assessed by the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) respectively. RESULTS: It was observed significant improvement in all SEBT reach distances (anterior (F = 6.26, p < 0.01); posteromedial (F = 9.58, p < 0.01) and posterolateral (F = 8.42, p < 0.01)) in the Tai Chi group with no change in the control group p < 0.01. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvement on self-reported instability feeling assessed by the CAIT questionnaire (F = 21.36, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggested that twelve weeks of Tai Chi intervention has a positive effects on postural control and self-reported instability feeling in patients with CAI.
Copyright Human Kinetics. Reprinted with permission from Human Kinetics (Champaign, IL).

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