Riassunto dello studio

Thirty-four patients with unilateral chronic ankle instability (CAI) were randomized to receive conventional training plus neuromuscular training (n=17) or conventional training alone (n=17). The primary outcome of interest was peri-ankle muscle morphology (ultrasound cross-sectional area of tibialis anterior and peroneus longus). Secondary outcomes included dynamic balance (Y-Balance Test), perceived ankle instability (CAIT), and functional capacity (FAOS). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention (after 12 sessions across 4 weeks), and 4 weeks later. Overall, the results of the study revealed greater gains with the addition of neuromuscular training for tibialis anterior CSA (notably on the injured nondominant side), posteromedial Y-Balance reach, and FAOS composite/sport/ADL domains, while both groups improved within-group on CAIT and FAOS. In short, supplementing standard care with neuromuscular training yielded small-to-moderate additional benefits in morphology, balance, and function over 4–8 weeks.