The effectiveness of mobilization with movement on pain, balance and function following acute and sub acute inversion ankle sprain – A randomized, placebo controlled trial

• Published in: Physical therapy in sport Vol. 48; no. NA; pp. 91 - 100
• Main Authors: Gogate, Neha, Satpute, Kiran, Hall, Toby
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2021; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Ankle; Ankle Injuries - physiopathology; Ankle Injuries - therapy; Ankle Joint - physiopathology; Ankle sprain; Balance; Clinical trials; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Manipulative therapy; Manual therapy; Mobilization with movement; Movement; Musculoskeletal Manipulations - methods; Pain; Pain Management; Patients; Physical therapy; Postural Balance; Pressure pain threshold; Range of Motion, Articular; Sports medicine; Sprains and Strains - physiopathology; Sprains and Strains - therapy; Weight-Bearing; Weight-bearing lunge test; India; Ankle sprain; Pressure pain threshold; Mobilization with movement; Manual therapy; Weight-bearing lunge test; Balance
• ISSN: 1466-853X; 1873-1600; 1873-1600
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.12.016

To determine the effect of mobilization with movement (MWM) on pain, ankle mobility and function in patients with acute and sub-acute grade I and II inversion ankle sprain. Randomized placebo controlled trial. A general hospital. 32 adults with inversion ankle sprain. The primary outcome was pain intensity on an 11 point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) with higher score indicating greater pain intensity. Ankle disability identified by the Foot and Ankle Disability index (FADI) with higher score indicating lower disability, functional ankle dorsiflexion range, pressure pain threshold, and dynamic balance measured with the Y balance test were secondary outcomes. Thirty participants completed the study. At each follow-up point, significant differences were found between groups favouring those receiving MWM for all variables. Pain intensity showed a mean difference of 1.7 points (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 2.1) and 0.9 points (95% confidence interval, 0.5 to 1.3) at one and six-months follow-up respectively. Benefits were also shown for FADI, ankle mobility, pressure pain threshold and balance. This study provides preliminary data for the benefits of MWM for acute and sub-acute ankle sprain in terms of pain, ankle mobility, disability and balance. •For grade I and II acute ankle sprain, manual therapy is effective with exercises.•Six sessions of MWM are effective to reduce pain, disability and improve balance.•MWM targeted to inferior tibiofibular joint should be reinforced with rigid tape.•Pain as tolerated can be permitted with care while performing exercises.