Investigating the Effects of Cognitive Functional Therapy on Pain, Physical Function, and Kinesiophobia in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Sprain

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) on pain, physical function, and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic ankle sprain (CAS).

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Chronic Ankle Sprains; Chronic Ankle Sprain
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Cognitive Functional Therapy

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) on pain, physical function, and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic ankle sprain (CAS). This study will follow a structured clinical research protocol designed to evaluate the effects of Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) on individuals with chronic ankle sprain.

This study is an experimental clinical intervention with a two-time-point measurement design. The Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) program will be applied to individuals with chronic ankle sprain, and its effects will be evaluated at baseline (before intervention) and after the 12-week intervention.

The study will take place between January 2026 and June 2026. All participants will undergo an initial eligibility screening by an orthopedic specialist prior to enrollment. Following informed consent, eligible participants will attend a baseline assessment session, complete validated self-report questionnaires, and then begin a 12-week individualized CFT program consisting of seven sessions. Interventions will be delivered by a trained physiotherapist with clinical experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and certification in CFT principles. All data collection, including digital files and paper records, will be securely stored in encrypted systems accessible only to the research team. At the conclusion of the 12-week program, participants will fill the same questionnaires they filled at the beginning of the study as an outcome measurement.

The outcome measurements are VAS, TSK-17, and FAAM questionnaires.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Abdullah Omar A PT, MSc; Phone Number: 0090 531 699 4226; Email: abdullah.alwakil@std.yeditepe.edu.tr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Elif Tuğçe Çil Elif Tuğçe Çil; Phone Number: 0090 554 481 10 92; Email: tugce.cill@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Ataşehir
    • Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye), 34775
      • Recruiting
      • Yeditepe University
      • Contact: Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Elif Tuğçe Çil Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Elif Tuğçe Çil, Dr. Ogr. Uyesi; Phone Number: 0090 554 481 10 92; Email: tugce.cill@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ongoing pain or swelling, "giving way" episodes, and re-injury during sports or daily activity
• Adults aged 18-65 years
• History of lateral ankle sprain with symptoms persisting for more than 3 months
• Continuing symptoms such as pain, instability, or activity limitations
• Ability to understand and communicate in English or Arabic

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of ankle surgery within the past 12 months
• Advanced ankle osteoarthritis or systemic inflammatory, neurological, or vestibular conditions
• Currently undergoing physiotherapy for the same condition
• Cognitive impairment or severe psychological disorder that could interfere with participation
• Pregnancy or planned pregnancy during the study period
• Any other condition deemed unsuitable by the research team

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Cognitive Functional Therapy Group; Cognitive Functional Therapy

Procedure: Cognitive Functional Therapy; Cognitive Functional Therapy is an integrated behavioral approach for individualizing the management of people with chronic pain, originally developed for Low Back Pain Patients. It uses a multidimensional "clinical reasoning framework" to identify key modifiable targets for management on the basis of careful listening to the individual's story and examining the individual's behavioral responses to pain. This approach enables the treating clinician to take individuals on a journey to effectively self-manage their chronic pain with a program that is tailored to their unique clinical presentation and context.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
FAAM	Foot and Ankle Ability Measure	12 Weeks
TSK-17	Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia	12 Weeks
VAS	Visual Analogue Scale	12 Weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Yeditepe University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Abdullah Omar Alwakil, Bachelor, Yeditepe University; Study Chair: Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Elif Tuğçe Çil Çil, Dr. Ogr. Uyesi, Yeditepe University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 6, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 26, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Behavior; Beliefs; Cognitive Functional Therapy; CFT; CAS; Chronic Ankle Sprain
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior
• Other Study ID Numbers: Abdullah Omar A, PT

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No