Abstract

Context: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) individuals experience residual symptoms including pain, swelling, ankle instability, etc. A small majority of CAI individuals report ankle pain during daily or physical activity. Despite the known negative effects of chronic pain on neuromuscular control, there is a paucity of research exploring the specific impact of chronic pain mechanisms on altered neuromuscular control in CAI individuals. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of pain levels on static and dynamic postural control and visual reliance in CAI individuals. Methods: A total of 60 participants were recruited, consisting of 20 CAI individuals with high pain, 20 CAI individuals with low pain, and 20 healthy controls. Participants performed static postural control with eyes open and closed, the star excursion balance test (SEBT), and single-leg hop stabilization. One-way ANOVA assessed differences in Romberg ratios, SEBT, dynamic postural stability index, and self-reported outcomes. Two-way ANOVA (3x2) was used to assess differences in static postural control across the three groups. Results: The high pain group showed decreased mediolateral (ML) direction of static postural stability in eyes closed and a higher Romberg ratio in ML direction compared to the low pain group. The high pain group showed decreased reach distance and increased dynamic postural control in vertical and dynamic postural stability index compared to the healthy control group and low pain group, respectively. Conclusions: The levels of chronic pain can have a significant impact on both static and dynamic postural control and visual reliance in CAI individuals. Therefore, fluctuating chronic pain levels may result in alterations in motor outcomes.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Life Sciences; Exercise Sciences

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2023-07-20

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd12841

Keywords

Chronic Ankle Instability, Chronic Pain, Postural Control, Visual Reliance

Language

english

Included in

Life Sciences Commons

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