Study of Effects of Electroacupuncture on Balance in Subjects With Chronic Functional Ankle Instability

Summary

Introduction: Ankle sprains, the most common sports-related musculoskeletal injury, account for approximately 25% of sports injuries. An estimated 40% of these individuals will progress to develop chronic functional ankle instability (CFAI), which can significantly affect athletic performance and activities of daily life. Stresses from the injury can damage the ligaments, muscles, nerves and mechanoreceptors. It is widely accepted that ankle proprioception is critical for balance and that individuals with CFAI demonstrate decreased proprioception and altered muscular function, which impairs postural stability. The goal of this study is to determine if a single application of electroacupuncture can have an immediate positive outcome related to balance in individuals with CFAI.

Methods: This single blinded randomized trial will include 12 subjects receiving a single application of electroacupuncture and 12 subjects in the placebo group receiving sham electroacupuncture. Subjects aged 18-50 with a history of unilateral inversion ankle sprain(s) and chronic symptoms of instability will be selected. Balance will be assessed pre- and post-treatment using force plate data during a single-leg stance and via the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). GB-34 and GB-40 will be used for the experimental group and non-traditional points on the medial aspect of the leg will be used for the sham electroacupuncture group. Both will be connected to the electrical stimulation unit for 10 minutes. Results from this study may inform future research investigating the ability of EA at decreasing the risk of ankle sprains, improving perceived stability, and reducing the risk of subsequent degenerative changes.

Conditions

• Ankle Sprain

Interventions

DEVICE

Asia-Med Special No 16 (0.30x30mm) needles

Subjects will do balance assessment in lab. In treatment room, practitioner will clean insertion area with alcohol swab, allow adequate time to dry, and insert 2 Asia-Med Special No 16 (0.30x30mm) needles: one at proximal insertion of fibularis longus anterior to fibular neck, in proximity to common fibular nerve (GB-34); one over sinus tarsi and lateral ligaments of ankle mortise (GB-40). Needles will be inserted approximately 1-2cm, connected for 10 min at 2Hz to electrical stimulation (ITO ES-130, 500 ohm test load, 1 to 500Hz). Needles will disposed of in sharps container. Area will be wiped with long handled cotton swab, pressure will be applied for 2 seconds. Subjects will be asked to slowly get up from table and return to lab for second balance assessment.

DEVICE

Streitberger placebo needles (Asia-Med, 0.03 x 30 mm)

As with experimental group, controls will do balance assessment pre- and post-intervention. Streitberger placebo needles (Asia-Med, 0.03 x 30 mm), blunted with a telescoping mechanism, will be used. Subjects will feel slight prick, and shaft will telescope into handle, creating illusion of skin penetration. Needles will be held in place by plastic ring covered by a bandage. They are validated for blinding. They will be placed over non-traditional acupuncture points on medial aspect of leg, in direct opposition to treatment group needles. Needle placement is not intended to produce therapeutic outcome. The needles will be connected to a wire, which will be turned on for 10 minutes but no stimulation will be felt.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Tracy Rowan, DC · Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2013-01-31

Primary Completion

2013-03-31

Completion

2013-04-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations