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

NCT02056795 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 122017
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Tests of single-leg standing

  Tests of single-leg standing balance have been demonstrated to have moderate to excellent group reliability, and therefore are being utilized to compare the balance performance of subjects with chronic functional ankle instability

  10 seconds

Study Arms (2)

Electroacupuncture

EXPERIMENTAL

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: Asia-Med Special No 16 (0.30x30mm) needles

Control

SHAM COMPARATOR

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.

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

Interventions

Asia-Med Special No 16 (0.30x30mm) needles DEVICE

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.

Also known as: Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture

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

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.

Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-50 years old
• History of inversion ankle sprains
• Chronic symptoms of instability

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College: lead

Study Sites (1)

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Ankle Injuries

Interventions

Needles; Electroacupuncture

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Leg Injuries; Wounds and Injuries

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Equipment and Supplies; Combined Modality Therapy; Therapeutics; Acupuncture Therapy; Complementary Therapies; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Analgesia; Anesthesia and Analgesia; Anesthesia

Study Officials

• Tracy Rowan, DC

  Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 24, 2014
• First Posted: February 6, 2014
• Study Start: January 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2013
• Study Completion: April 1, 2013
• Last Updated: March 19, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-03

Locations

CA (1)