Effect of Core Stability Training With Foot Exercises in Chronic Ankle Instability Patients

NCT07731035 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Asmaa_Msc
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of various treatments on lumbar and ankle proprioception, balance, and foot function in patients with chronic ankle instability. The objectives include assessing the combined effects of core stability training and intrinsic foot muscle exercises with conventional therapy, the impact of core stability training alone, the effects of intrinsic foot muscle exercises in conjunction with conventional treatment, and the outcomes of conventional therapy alone. Additionally, the study will compare the effectiveness of these different treatment protocols.

Conditions

Instability, Joint

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Assessment of balance

  The study employs the Biodex Balance System to assess dynamic control using the Limits of Stability test. This test measures the maximum angle from vertical that an individual can achieve without losing balance, with normal limits of stability parameters set at eight degrees anterior, four degrees posterior, and 16 degrees laterally. Participants perform the test, aiming to shift their weight toward blinking targets on a screen while avoiding handrail support unless necessary. Two trials per participant are conducted, with results detailing test duration and overall performance percentage, where a score of 100% indicates precise movement towards targets.

  At baseline and after 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• assessment of Lumbar proprioception

  At baseline and after 6 weeks

• assessment of Ankle proprioception:

  At baseline and after 6 weeks

• assessment of foot function

  At baseline and after 6 weeks

Study Arms (4)

conventional physical therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Involves twenty patients who will receive conventional physical therapy treatment 18 sessions of exercises, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Other: conventional physical therapy

core stability training

EXPERIMENTAL

Involves twenty patients who will receive core stability training in addition to conventional physical therapy treatment: 18 sessions of exercises, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Other: conventional physical therapy; Other: Core stability training

intrinsic foot muscle exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Involves twenty patients who will receive intrinsic foot muscle exercises in addition to conventional physical therapy treatment: 18 sessions of exercises, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Other: conventional physical therapy; Other: intrinsic foot muscle exercises

Core Stability with Foot Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Involves twenty patients who will receive core stability training core stability training accompanied with intrinsic foot muscle exercises in addition to conventional physical therapy treatment 18 sessions of exercises, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Other: conventional physical therapy; Other: Core stability training; Other: intrinsic foot muscle exercises

Interventions

conventional physical therapy OTHER

Stretching the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle (30 s) of three repetitions, three sets of strengthening exercises of ankle musculature, using Thera Band resistance (ten repetitions in each set), and balance training exercises: First, standing on one leg with eyes open, later will be progressed to eyes closed with 60 s hold for two repetitions will be given along with balance board exercises and double-leg and single-leg stances

Core Stability with Foot Exercises; conventional physical therapy; core stability training; intrinsic foot muscle exercises

Core stability training OTHER

The program is structured in three phases over six weeks. The first phase (1-2 weeks) focuses on abdominal drawing-in maneuvers to activate the transverses abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles, with participants palpating the contractions for feedback. The second phase (3-4 weeks) integrates coordinated cocontraction of both muscles alongside upper and lower limb movements in various positions such as lying, sitting, standing, and quadruped. The third phase (5-6 weeks) emphasizes core activation during functional activities, including sit-to-stand, wall squats, and lunges, incorporating three sets of ten repetitions while maintaining the final position for 10 seconds in each exercise.

Core Stability with Foot Exercises; core stability training

intrinsic foot muscle exercises OTHER

In this program, participants will engage in four exercises targeting the intrinsic foot muscles (IFMs): short-foot exercise, toe spread out, hallux extension, and lesser-toe extension. For the first two weeks, exercises will be done while sitting; during weeks three and four, they will shift to standing; and in weeks five and six, the exercises will be performed while standing on one leg.

Core Stability with Foot Exercises; intrinsic foot muscle exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 44 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Subjects will be selected from the outpatient clinic of Delta University hospital, Dakahlia, Egypt. 2. Both male \& female genders aged between 18 and 44 years. 3. Participants should have a history of at least one significant ankle sprain; the initial sprain must have occurred at least 12 months prior to the study enrolment and was associated with inflammatory symptoms (pain, swelling) 4. Patients having Scores on the Cumberland ankle instability tool of 24 or below 5. Participants should report at least 2 episodes of 'giving way' in the 6 months prior to the study enrolment. Episodes of giving way will be described as an incident in which the rearfoot suddenly rolled, felt weak, or lost stability; however, the individual did not sustain an ankle sprain and will have been able to continue with normal function after the incident 6. Body mass index for all groups will be ranged from 18.8-29 kg/m²

You may not qualify if:

• history of lower extremity surgery, lower extremity fractures, and immobilization of foot or ankle for 48 hr or longer within the previous 6 months
• Conditions other than ankle sprain that affect balance or they are receiving ankle rehabilitation at the time of screening.
• Acute injury to the musculoskeletal structures of other joints of the lower extremity in the previous 3 months, which impacted joint integrity and function (ie, sprains, fractures) resulting in at least 1 interrupted day of desired physical activity

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

out-patient clinic, faculty of physical therapy, Delta university

Al Mansurah, Egypt

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Joint Instability

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Asmaa Abdelnaser Atia Saad, physical therapist

CONTACT

01024728414; asmaa.naser56@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 23, 2026
• First Posted: July 28, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

EG (1)