# Efficacy of adding mobilization and balance exercises to a home-based exercise program in patients with ankle disability: a randomized controlled trial

## TL;DR

Adding mobilization and balance exercises to home-based physical therapy improves recovery in patients with ankle disability after road traffic accidents.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that combining mobilization and balance training with home exercises enhances outcomes in ankle disability rehabilitation.

## Key findings

- The experimental group showed significant improvements in pain, ROM, HRQoL, and peak muscle torque compared to the control group.
- Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion improved more in the experimental group after 8 weeks of combined therapy.
- Health-related quality of life scores were higher in the group receiving mobilization and balance training.

## Abstract

Ankle joint fractures account for 10.2% of all fractures. It has been hypothesized that mobilizing the ankle joint is a crucial intervention for improving balance and range of motion (ROM).

The current study explores the impact of incorporating mobilization, balance training, and physical therapy exercises into a home-based program on pain, ROM, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and peak muscle torque in patients with ankle disability following road traffic accidents (RTAs).

In this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 60 participants with post-RTA ankle disability were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group underwent home-based exercises combined with mobilization, balance training, and physical therapy for 2 months, while the control group followed only a home exercise program. The interventions were then implemented 3 days per week. Pain was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ankle ROM was measured using a universal goniometer, HRQoL was evaluated using the Short Form (SF 36) survey, and peak torque was assessed using the Biodex System isokinetic dynamometer.

Significant improvements were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group in pain, ROM, HRQoL, and peak muscle torque (p < 0.001). After 8 weeks, the experimental group outcomes for VAS, ROM of ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion (DF/PF), peak torque of DF/PF, and HRQoL physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) were 2.55 ± 0.22, 13.02 ± 0.38, 25.06 ± 0.40, 34.12 ± 0.81, 47.46 ± 0.90, 43.15 ± 0.78, and 45.01 ± 0.68, respectively. In contrast, the results of the control group were 5.98 ± 0.31, 6.16 ± 0.28, 14.97 ± 0.35, 26.17 ± 0.90, 41.38 ± 0.94, 33.05 ± 1.10, and 34.52 ± 1.06, respectively.

Incorporating mobilization and balance exercises into a physical therapy program significantly improves pain, ankle ROM, HRQoL, and muscle torque (DF/PF) in patients with ankle disability following RTAs.

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT06010706.