Comparing Manipulation and Rehabilitation to Rehabilitation Only, in the Management of Chronic Ankle Instability

The Effectiveness of Combined Manipulation and Rehabilitation Versus Rehabilitation Only, in the Management of Chronic Ankle Instability

It is hypothesized that a combination approach would produce increased clinically and statistically significant outcomes as opposed to standard single intervention, inclusive of comparatively greater reduction in pain, improvement in range of motion, proprioception and function with an associated quicker recovery time.

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a frequently encountered condition of the musculoskeletal system. Various individual treatment options have previously been compared to one another in clinical trials, however there is paucity of literature with regards to combined treatment choices versus individual therapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relative effectiveness of combined manipulation and rehabilitation versus rehabilitation only, in the management of CAI.

The study will be conducted as a single blinded randomised and comparative clinical trial at Cleveland Chiropractic College and Durban University of Technology.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Chronic Ankle Instability
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Manipulative and Rehabilitative Therapy; Other: Rehabilitative Therapy

Detailed Description

Rationale

1. Inversion ankle sprains are the most frequently encountered injury to the ankle (Ferran and Maffulli, 2006) especially in the realm of the sporting arena (Balint et al, 2003; Delahunt, 2007; Bozzelle and Kishner, 2008). Up to 40 % of these acutely injured participants will progress to a state of chronic ankle instability (CAI) (Verhagen et al, 1995; Balint et al, 2003; Ajis and Maffulli, 2006; Ajis et al, 2006). Therefore the lateral ankle as well as the management of CAI requires further investigation with regard to treatment options.
2. Peroneal muscle weaknesses as well as proprioceptive deficits have been universally encountered in cases of CAI (Reid, 1992; Delahunt, 2007). Studies have indicated that coupled peroneal muscle strengthening and proprioception training of the ankle are seen as the most efficient means of rehabilitation for CAI (Reid, 1992; Ajis et al, 2006; Ajis and Maffulli, 2006; McBride and Ramamurthy, 2006; Caulfield, 2007; Lee and Lin, 2008). Pellow and Brantingham, (2001) and Gillman, (2004) have reported that manipulation is also a successful intervention tool for the treatment of CAI, documenting a statistically significant reduction in pain (p=0.007), improved range of motion (p=0.199) in the ankle joint as well as improved general functioning of the ankle (p=0.004). It has been identified that there are three components (Richie, 2001; Sefton et al, 2008) that contribute to the persistence of CAI namely joint fixations (in the mortise and subtalar joint) as well as muscular (Richie, 2001) and proprioceptive alterations (Richie, 2001; Delahunt, 2007).
3. It is hypothesised that a combination approach would produce increased clinically and statistically significant outcomes as opposed to standard single intervention, inclusive of comparatively greater reduction in pain, improvement in range of motion, proprioception and function with an associated quicker recovery time (Green et al, 2001; Eisenhart et al, 2003; Collins,2004; Vicenzino et al, 2006). There are insufficient studies, particularly high quality studies, with the required methodology, to make a definitive decision regarding whether this is supported (Van der Wees et al, 2006; Whitman et al, 2009). Additionally chiropractors will typically manage a participant with CAI with a combination of manipulation and rehabilitation, at present no research using such combined therapy by chiropractors has yet been published (Brantingham et al, 2009).

3. Research Problem and Aims The aim of the study is to investigate the relative effectiveness of a combination of manipulation and rehabilitation as compared to rehabilitation only in the treatment for CAI, in terms of participantive and objective clinical assessments.

The specific objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the relative effectiveness of manipulation and rehabilitation versus rehabilitation only, to the ankle joint in terms of objective assessments (algometer, berg balance scale, weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion test and foot and ankle disability index in participants experiencing CAI syndrome).
2. To determine the relative effectiveness of manipulation and rehabilitation versus rehabilitation only, to the ankle joint in terms of participantive assessments (visual analogue scale and motion palpation) in participants experiencing CAI syndrome.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: James W Brantingham, DC, PhD; Phone Number: 323.-906-2189; Email: james.brantingham@cleveland.edu

Study Locations

• South Africa
  • Durban, South Africa
    • Recruiting
    • Durban University of Technology
    • Contact: Danella Lubbe; Email: accounts@elconcranes.co.za
    • Contact: Ekta Lakhani, MTech: Chiro; Email: ektal@dut.ac.za
    • Principal Investigator: Danella Lubbe

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 45 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants with grade one (Grade I: evidence of minimal swelling with minimal dysfunction, point tenderness over joint, absence of positive anterior drawers sign) or grade two (Grade II: moderate amount of swelling and haemorrhage over the ankle with pain more do on weight bearing). Potentially positive anterior drawers sign but with no varus laxity CLAI (Reid, 1992; Pellow and Brantingham, 2001; Rimando, 2008).
2. Participants between the ages of 18 - 45 years (Pellow and Brantingham, 2001; Chowdry et al, 2003; Parker, 2005).
3. Participants that are clinically diagnosed as having CLAI: the presence of 4 or more of a combination of symptoms including lateral ankle pain, joint weakness, oedema (Tatro-Adams et al, 1995), joint crepitus, adhesions resulting in the formation of fixations in the joint and ligamentous laxity (Reid, 1992; Pellow and Brantingham, 2001; Ajis and Maffulli, 2006; McBride and Ramamurthy, 2006; Caulfield, 2007).
4. Participants with a visual analogue scale (vas) (Liggins, 1982; Salaffi et al, 2003) score of between 20 and 70 millimetres to maintain homogeneity within the sample (Mouton, 1996).
5. Participants with a foot/ankle disability Index (FADI) (Hale and Hertel, 2005) of between 50 and 90 to maintain homogeneity within the sample (Mouton, 1996).
6. Participants with a berg balance scale (Kornetti et al, 2004) of less than 45/56 to maintain homogeneity within the sample (Mouton, 1996).
7. Participants must have the presence of fixations in either the mortise joint, the subtalar joint or the tarsals (Brantingham et al, 2007).
8. Participants that give informed consent to participate in the research.
9. Participants on muscle relaxants or any anti inflammatory medication will be required to have a wash out period of three days before participating in the study (Poul et al, 1993; Seth, 1999).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants who have experienced an acute injury or acute re-injury (prior to or during the study) will be excluded from the study because it does not comply with the six-week interval (i.e. chronic injuries) (Pellow and Brantingham, 2001).
2. Participants with balance disorders of a neurological and/or otological and/or vascular cause of dizziness that may mimic instability and defective proprioception at the ankle level (Clark and Burden, 2005; Kynsberg et al, 2006).
3. Participants with connective tissue disorders that create excessive generalised ligamentous laxity, participants with these conditions will not benefit from the treatment with generalised hyper laxity of ligaments.
4. Participants with grade three CAI/ gross mechanical instability of the lateral ankle complex as the severity of this grade of injury usually requires surgical intervention and is unresponsive to conservative therapy (Reid, 1992; Pellow and Brantingham, 2001; Rimando, 2008).Grade III: severe swelling and haemorrhage with positive anterior drawers sign and rupture of ligamentous structures.
5. Participants that are contraindicated to adjustments, which include but may not be limited to (Kirkaldy - Willis and Burton, 1992).

Absolute contraindications, Destructive injury of the skeletal structures of the body; fractures and dislocations of all varieties; neurological damage as in Cauda equina syndrome, abdominal aortic aneurysm, referred pain of a visceral nature.

Relative Contraindications, bone demineralization, psychosomatic conditions, anticoagulant therapy and/or conditions where hemorrhaging may be present and Spondyloarthropathies.

Participants with secondary manifestations of any of the following conditions, which may compromise balance/ proprioception, which are contraindicated to rehabilitation, which include and may not be limited to (Frontera, 1999).

Dizziness that is present during the treatment Peripheral vascular disease

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Manipulative and Rehabilitative Therapy	Other: Manipulative and Rehabilitative Therapy; Participants will receive 6 treatments over a 3 to 5 week time frame. A minimum of one day and maximum of 3 days between treatments. This group will receive high velocity low amplitude thrust to a minimum of 1 and maximum of 3 restricted segments within the mortise joint, subtalar joint and tarsal along with the same rehabilitation protocol as the other group.
Active Comparator: Rehabilitative Therapy	Other: Rehabilitative Therapy; Participants will receive education and training in the home exercises. This group is only required to attend the treatment facility for outcome measure readings and if they have any questions about the research protocol or check if they are performing their exercises correctly. A Theraband will be utilized for the peroneal muscle strengthening; 3 sets of 12 repetitions. Proprioception will be conducted on a Bosu Ball; 10 minutes per period. This protocol will be conducted everyday at home for the 5 week study. A diary will be required to record compliance and indicate how exercises should be performed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Visual Analogue Scale	Gold standard subjective pain scale	3months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Foot Ankle Disability Index	General Ankle Function Assessment Tool	3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cleveland Chiropractic College
• Collaborators: Durban University of Technology
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: James W Brantingham, DC, PhD, Cleveland Chiropractic College; Principal Investigator: Danella Lubbe, Durban University of Technology

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Lee AJ, Lin WH. Twelve-week biomechanical ankle platform system training on postural stability and ankle proprioception in subjects with unilateral functional ankle instability. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2008 Oct;23(8):1065-72. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2008.04.013. Epub 2008 Jul 14.
• Ferran NA, Maffulli N. Epidemiology of sprains of the lateral ankle ligament complex. Foot Ankle Clin. 2006 Sep;11(3):659-62. doi: 10.1016/j.fcl.2006.07.002.
• Balint GP, Korda J, Hangody L, Balint PV. Regional musculoskeletal conditions: foot and ankle disorders. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2003 Feb;17(1):87-111. doi: 10.1016/s1521-6942(02)00103-1.
• Delahunt, E. 2007. Neuromuscular contributions to functional instability of the ankle joint. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 11:203-213.
• Bozzelle, J.R. and Kishner, S. Recurrent Ankle Sprains. [Online] Available: http://emedicine.com, [Accessed August 2009].
• Ajis A, Maffulli N. Conservative management of chronic ankle instability. Foot Ankle Clin. 2006 Sep;11(3):531-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fcl.2006.07.004.
• Reid, C.D. 1992. Sports Injury Assessment and Rehabilitation. United States of America: Churchill Livingston Inc
• McBride DJ, Ramamurthy C. Chronic ankle instability: management of chronic lateral ligamentous dysfunction and the varus tibiotalar joint. Foot Ankle Clin. 2006 Sep;11(3):607-23. doi: 10.1016/j.fcl.2006.07.009.
• Caulfield, B. 2000. Functional Instability of the Ankle Joint, features and underlying causes. Physiotherapy, 86:8
• Pellow JE, Brantingham JW. The efficacy of adjusting the ankle in the treatment of subacute and chronic grade I and grade II ankle inversion sprains. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001 Jan;24(1):17-24. doi: 10.1067/mmt.2001.112015.
• Green T, Refshauge K, Crosbie J, Adams R. A randomized controlled trial of a passive accessory joint mobilization on acute ankle inversion sprains. Phys Ther. 2001 Apr;81(4):984-94.
• van der Wees PJ, Lenssen AF, Hendriks EJ, Stomp DJ, Dekker J, de Bie RA. Effectiveness of exercise therapy and manual mobilisation in ankle sprain and functional instability: a systematic review. Aust J Physiother. 2006;52(1):27-37. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(06)70059-9.
• Brantingham JW, Globe G, Pollard H, Hicks M, Korporaal C, Hoskins W. Manipulative therapy for lower extremity conditions: expansion of literature review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Jan;32(1):53-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.09.013.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: August 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): October 1, 2010
• Study Completion (Anticipated): November 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 7, 2010
• First Posted (Estimate): September 9, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): September 27, 2010
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 24, 2010
• Last Verified: September 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Rehabilitation; Chronic; Ankle; Manipulation; Instability; Manipulative; Rehabilitative
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Instability
• Other Study ID Numbers: CCC08132010A