The Effect Of Vibration Training In Functional Ankle Instability Populations' Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: Unilateral functional ankle instability (FAI) not only decreases the quality of life but also affects motor ability and causes numerous economic expenditures. Previous studies revealed that whole-body vibration (WBV) training has improvements in proprioception, neuromuscular control, posture stability, muscle strength and ankle function. Our research was to investigate whether WBV could be a more effective training method for FAI treatment to reduce time and economic input. METHODS: 40 FAI patients who regularly participated in physical activity were selected and randomized into two groups, 21 in the WBV group (22 ± 2 yrs) and 19 in the control group (21 ± 2 yrs). Both interventions were continued for 6 weeks with 15-20 minutes of training twice a week. Assessments were performed before and after interventions, including Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AJFAT), the activation time of muscle, Average Trace Error (A.T.E.), Y Balance test, single limb hopping course and side-hop test. RESULTS: AJFAT score was improved in the WBV (13.37 ± 5.59 vs. 22.95 ± 8.64, P = 0.000), as were the activation time of peroneus longus muscle (143.16 ± 10.62 vs. 115.26 ± 23.82, P = 0.000) and the Y Balance test (61.85 ± 20.27 vs. 7.33 ± 4.13, P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, males in the WBV group reach distance for front were significantly increased in the Y Balance test (6.03 ± 5.19 vs. 2.42 ± 1.60, P < 0.05). A.T.E. (40.37 ± 5.51 vs. 33.19 ± 5.52, P < 0.01) and the testing time of single limb hopping course (12.64 ± 4.98 vs. 8.59 ± 2.25, P < 0.01) and side-hop (6.78 ± 1.46 vs. 5.46 ± 1.43, P < 0.01)were reduced in the WBV. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that both 6 weeks of vibration and conventional training were effective in patients with unilateral FAI but 6 weeks of vibration training did not produce more benefit than conventional training, contrary to expectations.