The effectiveness of mobilization with movement on pain, balance and function following acute and sub acute inversion ankle sprain - A randomized, placebo controlled trial.
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language
This study examined the effects of mobilization with movement (MWM) on patients with acute and sub-acute ankle sprains. The researchers found that MWM significantly reduced pain and improved ankle mobility and function, which is important for patients recovering from ankle injuries.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found
- ✓Participants receiving MWM reported a pain reduction of 1.7 points on the Numeric Rating Scale at one-month follow-up.
- ✓Significant improvements were observed in functional ankle dorsiflexion range and balance.
- ✓Overall disability decreased, as measured by the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI).
- ✓30 out of 32 participants completed the study, ensuring robust data.
What This Means for You
For those considering reflexology treatment for ankle sprains, the results suggest that MWM can effectively reduce pain by an average of 1.7 points shortly after treatment and improve overall mobility, making it a beneficial option during recovery.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology practitioners can use these findings to incorporate MWM techniques into their practice, providing clients with evidence-based treatments that enhance recovery from ankle sprains by alleviating pain and increasing mobility.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Limitations: what it cannot tell you
The study's sample size was relatively small, and the follow-up duration may not fully capture long-term effects of MWM on ankle sprain recovery.
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
For those considering reflexology treatment for ankle sprains, the results suggest that MWM can effectively reduce pain by an average of 1.7 points shortly after treatment and improve overall mobility, making it a beneficial option during recovery.
What did this study find?
Participants receiving MWM reported a pain reduction of 1.7 points on the Numeric Rating Scale at one-month follow-up. Significant improvements were observed in functional ankle dorsiflexion range and balance. Overall disability decreased, as measured by the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI).
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 32 participants. It was published in Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
What are the limitations of this study?
The study's sample size was relatively small, and the follow-up duration may not fully capture long-term effects of MWM on ankle sprain recovery.
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