Effect of biophysical interventions on balance and postural control in patients with ankle instability: a systematic review

Ankle sprains have been one of the most prevalent injuries in active populations. This study aims to summarize the evidence of the effect of the biophysical techniques on balance and postural control in patients with ankle instability, and provide an overview of the application of biophysical interventions in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). A systematic search was conducted to include ten articles from 1989-2022 in this study. These articles were classified into two categories of balance and postural control. The authors identified a total of 1267 papers and decided to include 10 of them in the systematic review. The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) technique can help clinicians identify balance deficits and postural control, including a comprehensive evaluation of joint stability, strength, and sensorimotor function that would be undetected with single-leg stance static tests. These ten studies involved 481 participants with a mean age of 25.5±6.3 years. The mean duration time of the interventions was 5.4±2.4 weeks and the mean session training duration time was 36.7±17.0 minutes. The Kinesio taping (KT) and both the soft and semi-rigid orthosis brace may be productive in enhancing dynamic balance assessed by Star Excursion Balance Test. The use of SG may improve perceived ankle instability and dynamic postural control (i.e., anterior reach during SEBT) of patients with CAI. Regarding the intervention group, no homogeneity results in uncertainties about which techniques of intervention affect balance and postural control.