Should ice application be replaced with neurocryostimulation for the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains? A randomized clinical trial.

研究概要

Forty-two patients with moderate-high grade lateral ankle sprains occurring in the last 72 hours before recruitment were randomized to undergo a standard rehabilitation program of 4 weeks with the addition of applying either neurocryostimulation (NCS; n=21) or ice (n=21). The primary outcome of interest was functional capacity via the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Secondary outcomes of interest included pain at rest and during activities which was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), measurement of ankle edema using the Figure of Eight method, and dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) evaluated using the weight bearing lung test . All outcomes were measured at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks follow-up. The results of study revealed no statistically significant differences in the change from baseline for all outcomes at all timepoints between the two groups (p>0.05 for all).