OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the rehabilitative effects of adding whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on the ankle function, muscle strength, and balance ability of patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) based on strength training combined with acupuncture. METHODS: A total of 49 university students with unilateral CAI was divided into an experimental group (strength training plus acupuncture plus WBVT, n = 25) and a control group (strength training plus acupuncture, n = 24). The intervention lasted for 8 weeks (3 times per week). The evaluation indicators included cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT), foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM), isokinetic muscle strength, proprioception, and balance ability. RESULTS: (1) At the 8th week, intergroup comparison showed that the experimental group had higher FAAM-ADL (p = 0.043) and peak plantar flexion torque of the ankle (p = 0.020) than the control group. The anterior-posterior displacement (p = 0.002) and average speed (p = 0.046) were lower than those in the control group. (2) At the 8th week compared with baseline, within-group comparison showed that in the experimental group, CAIT, FAAM-ADL, and FAAM-Sport increased by 16.2, 36.2, and 37.8% respectively (p < 0.01). The peak torque of ankle dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion increased by 34.2, 19.4, 12.3, and 12.3% respectively (p < 0.05). The threshold of motion perception of ankle plantar flexion decreased by 15.1%. The anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacements decreased by 22.2% and 17.5% respectively, and the average speed decreased by 31.2% and 13.8% respectively (p < 0.05). In the control group, FAAM-ADL and FAAM-Sport increased by 20.9% and 26.3% respectively (p < 0.01). The anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacements decreased by 10.9% and 12.5% respectively, and the average speed decreased by 18.9% and 9.2% respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adding WBVT to strength training and acupuncture significantly improves ankle function, plantar flexion strength, and anterior-posterior balance in CAI patients, supporting its integration into comprehensive, non-surgical rehabilitation protocols.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• PubMed Central
• DOI
• PubMed
• publisher