Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of neurocognitive training on pain, proprioception, injury-related fear, functional, and neurocognitive performance in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Materials and Methods: A total of 30 athletes with CAI, with a mean age of 11.10±1.06 years and residing in Balıkesir, were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups using simple randomization: the intervention group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Two participants from the control group were excluded from the final analyses due to missing post-intervention assessments. The intervention group received a neurocognitive training program conducted twice a week for four weeks, following an initial familiarization week. The training was progressively administered on flat ground, balance mat, BOSU, and inverted BOSU. Both groups were evaluated before and after the 4-week intervention using the following measures: the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI), the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), pain intensity, proprioception, fear of re-injury, Y Balance Test (YBT), Side Hop Test, Reactive Balance Test (RBT), and Upper Extremity Choice Reaction Time Test. Results: The results were analyzed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
28
Neurocognitive training is a rehabilitation approach that, unlike traditional treatment methods which primarily focus on improving physical performance, emphasizes cognitive functions and psychometric skills. It is a program developed by integrating motor learning strategies and cognitive challenges into neuromuscular training. These cognitive challenges include tasks requiring quick reactions, motor-motor or cognitive-motor tasks (dual-task), congruent and incongruent tasks, exercises involving mathematical calculations (working memory), and response inhibition tasks.
Balikesir University
Balıkesir, Bigadiç, Turkey (Türkiye)
Functional Ankle Instability Assessment Using the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability Questionnaire (IDFAI)
The IDFAI is a self-reported questionnaire consisting of 9 items designed to identify the presence and severity of functional ankle instability. Scores range from 0 to 37, with higher scores indicating greater instability. A score above 11 suggests the presence of instability. Scores are unitless numeric values representing the severity of symptoms and frequency of ankle sprains.
Time frame: from the beginning of the study until the end of the 4th week
Functional Ankle Instability Evaluation Using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT)
The CAIT is a self-assessment tool with 9 items measuring subjective ankle instability. Scores range from 0 (severe instability) to 30 (no instability). A score of 27 or below indicates functional ankle instability. The score is a unitless numeric value that reflects the level of perceived instability and risk of recurrent sprains.
Time frame: from the beginning of the study until the end of the 4th week
Pain Severity Assessment-Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a 10 cm line ranging from "No pain" to "Worst imaginable pain." Participants mark their pain intensity on the line, which is measured in centimeters to quantify pain severity. This unitless numeric score reflects pain intensity at rest, during training, and post-training in ankles with instability history.
Time frame: from the beginning of the study until the end of the 4th week
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