6 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This study seeks to determine the effectiveness of Strain Counterstrain in the treatment of chronic ankle instability.
The objective of this study is to determine if a clinical measure can be used effectively to predict ankle injury in high school and collegiate athletes across a variety of sports. Hypothesis: For each ankle injury category (lateral ankle sprain, medial ankle sprain, syndesmosis ankle sprain, Achilles rupture, fracture) participants that suffer these injuries will have a significantly lower SEBT normalized composite score and FMS composite score compared to those participants that do not suffer the injury Hypothesis #1b: Similar to a previous study examining high school basketball players22, using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, we will be able to calculate likelihood ratios, odds ratios, sensitivity and specificity and determine the ideal cut-off point of the SEBT normalized composite score and FMS composite score that will be able to predict the risk of each ankle injury category (lateral ankle sprain, medial ankle sprain, syndesmosis ankle sprain, Achilles rupture, fracture). Athletes from identified sites will perform measures of the star excursion balance test (SEBT) and the Functional Movement Screen FMS before the first day of practice. During the competition season, the number of practice and competition person exposures, as well as the number of ankle injuries, will be recorded. The rate of ankle injuries/exposure will be calculated and compared with the pre-season SEBT scores to create a simple and a complex prediction model for risk of ankle injury
The overall objective of this study is to examine the effects of a 6-week foot-intensive rehabilitation (FIRE) program on lateral ankle sprain (LAS) re-injury rates, CAI symptoms, sensorimotor function, and self-reported disability in CAI patients.
This study will collect information on the different ways that people walk, that is, their gait, when they use ankle braces. Patients will visit NIH on at least three and as many as nine separate occasions. A physical therapist will perform a physical examination to determine how patients move, how strong they are and what their comfortable walking speed is. Then patients will sit on a chair while a camera apparatus takes special pictures of their legs, a procedure lasting up to 2 hours. Patients will be asked to return to learn how to walk with the custom Passive Dynamic Ankle-Foot Orthosis (PD-AFO)-a unique ankle brace designed to improve walking ability by providing natural support to the lower limb. Patients 4 and older who are in good health and able to walk repeatedly a distance of 15 meters (approximately 49 feet) independently and unsupervised may be eligible for this study. With this training, patients may return several times to learn how to walk with the brace, but for their protection, they will not be allowed to take it or use it outside the research team's supervision. The researchers will examine the leg to ensure that the brace fits and will ask questions about it. Each training visit will require up to 1.5 hours. When patients have learned to walk with the brace, they will be asked to visit again and walk while scientific pictures are taken of their legs. During the walking test, patients will wear T-shirts and shorts. Patients' arms and legs will be wrapped with a soft, rubber-like material, to allow small plastic reflective balls to be attached. Firm material known as a shell can be attached to the rubber sleeves, with Velcro or a self-sticking bandage. The small balls may also be attached to the skin, with an adhesive. Also, there may be a test of the muscles, through the use of electromyography, or EMG. The test involves attachment of small metal electrodes to the surface of the skin, again with an adhesive. There should not be discomfort with that test. As patients walk several times, scientific cameras will record the positions of the reflective balls. Pictures do not involve patients' faces or other parts of the body. Afterward, a unique chair system called a Biodex will measure the leg muscle strength. Patients will be asked to sit on the chair and place their leg in a foot in an apparatus, a special structure that measures strength. They will repeatedly push against the apparatus, doing so for 3 seconds. Each time patients push, the researchers will touch a small magnetic device to the skin, which will cause the muscles to push harder. Although this procedure should not cause any discomfort, it may feel unusual. If they wish, patients can ask to stop the test at any time. Few risks are involved in participating in this series of activities. There is a slight chance of mild skin irritation from the adhesives used on the skin or from the soft, rubber-like material. But the material is worn for only a brief period, and skin reactions are rare. Also, that material may feel tight, but if it causes discomfort or prevents moving, patients can ask a researcher to adjust it. There is a slight chance of skin irritation from use of the PD-AFO, but adjustment can be made to make patients comfortable. Patients may experience some muscle soreness caused by participating in the muscle strength tests. However, they will be safely monitored by a physical therapist when they try on the brace to adjust to its feel and fit, as well as during testing of gait. This study will not have a direct benefit for participants. However, participants will be paid for their time, with minimum compensation of $50.
Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) and chronic ankle instability (CAI) are common musculoskeletal injuries that are a result of inversion injury during sport. The midfoot is frequently involved during inversion injury, is often overlooked during clinical examination, and maybe contributory to the development of CAI. The purpose of this study is to investigate multisegmented foot motion using a motion capture system, clinical joint physiological and accessory motion, and morphologic foot measurements in recreationally active men and women with and without a history of lateral ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability. Additionally, the effects of a joint mobilization intervention in patients with diminished multisegmented foot motion and intrinsic foot strengthening in healthy individuals will be investigated.
Safety and performance of the study devices in extremities up to 12 months post-surgery