The Effects of Stroboscopic Visual Conditions on Gait and Lower Limb Muscle Activity in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

NCT07134829 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: SYU 2025-06-026-002
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 25
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This interventional study will investigate the effects of stroboscopic visual conditions on gait patterns and lower limb muscle activation in adults with chronic ankle instability (CAI). CAI often results in impaired sensorimotor control, leading to altered gait strategies such as slower walking speed, shorter step length, and increased visual reliance. Stroboscopic glasses intermittently restrict visual input, potentially reducing visual dependence and enhancing proprioceptive feedback. Participants will complete walking trials under three randomized visual conditions: high-frequency stroboscopic, low-frequency stroboscopic, and no-glasses control. Gait parameters will be measured using the GAITRite system, and surface electromyography (sEMG) will record activation of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and gastrocnemius muscles. Findings may provide insight into sensorimotor adaptation mechanisms and inform rehabilitation strategies to improve functional stability in individuals with CAI.

Conditions

Chronic Ankle Instability

Keywords

Stroboscopic Glasses; Stroboscopic Vision; Gait Analysis; Surface Electromyography

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Gait Velocity (cm/s) Under Different Stroboscopic Visual Conditions

  Gait velocity will be measured using the GAITRite system under three visual conditions: high-frequency stroboscopic, low-frequency stroboscopic, and no stroboscopic. Each participant will perform three walking trials per condition over a 5-meter walkway. The average gait velocity (cm/s) will be calculated for each condition.

  Day 1 (single experimental session; immediately after each walking condition)

Secondary Outcomes (12)

• Change in Step Length (cm) Under Different Stroboscopic Visual Conditions

  Day 1 (single experimental session; immediately after each walking condition)

• Change in Step Width (cm) Under Different Stroboscopic Visual Conditions

  Day 1 (single experimental session; immediately after each walking condition)

• Change in Swing Phase (%) Under Different Stroboscopic Visual Conditions

  Day 1 (single experimental session; immediately after each walking condition)

• Change in Single Limb Support (%) Under Different Stroboscopic Visual Conditions

  Day 1 (single experimental session; immediately after each walking condition)

• Change in Double Limb Support (%) Under Different Stroboscopic Visual Conditions

  Day 1 (single experimental session; immediately after each walking condition)

Study Arms (1)

Single Group - Chronic Ankle Instability

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants with chronic ankle instability will complete walking trials under three visual conditions: high-frequency stroboscopic glasses, low-frequency stroboscopic glasses, and no-glasses control. Each participant will perform three 5-meter walking trials per condition, with the order of conditions randomized.

Behavioral: Stroboscopic Visual Conditions

Interventions

Stroboscopic Visual Conditions BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform walking trials under three visual conditions: high-frequency stroboscopic glasses, low-frequency stroboscopic glasses, and no-glasses control. Each participant will complete three 5-meter walking trials per condition, with the order of conditions randomized. Gait parameters will be recorded using the GAITRite walkway system, and muscle activity will be measured using surface electromyography.

Single Group - Chronic Ankle Instability

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals with a Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score of less than 24
• Individuals diagnosed with ankle sprain or instability within the past 6 months

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who have undergone lower limb surgery or experienced a fracture due to ankle trauma within the past 6 months
• Individuals with systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, that may affect balance
• Individuals who have difficulty understanding or following instructions during assessment or training

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sahmyook University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sahmyook University

Seoul, 01795, South Korea

Location

Study Officials

• Seungwon Lee, PhD

  Sahmyook University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Suhyeon Jeong, MSc Candidate

CONTACT

+82-10-4510-9276; jsh9276@naver.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator, MSc Candidate, Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 9, 2025
• First Posted: August 21, 2025
• Study Start: August 31, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 28, 2025
• Study Completion: October 12, 2025
• Last Updated: August 21, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

KR (1)