Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Comparative effect of walking meditation and rubber-band exercise on ankle proprioception and balance performance
Saitida Lapanantasin1, Natee Thongloy1, Manatsawee Samsee1
1Physical Therapy Division, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand.
Background:
Ankle proprioception and balance impairments are usual consequences of chronic ankle instability (CAI). The impairments affect functional and sport activities and can lead to recurrent ankle sprain. Mind-body practice is claimed to improve ankle proprioception and balance.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of walking meditation, a mind-body practice, and compare it with the rubber-band exercise on ankle proprioception and balance among individuals with CAI.
Study Design:
A randomized controlled trial.
Methods:
Thirty-two participants with CAI aged 20.3 ± 1.8 years were randomized into three groups; 1) walking meditation (WM, n = 10), 2) Rubber-band exercise (RE, n = 11) and 3) control (n = 11). WM and RE were enrolled on a 4-week training regimen (30 min/day, 3 days/week). Before and after the training, ankle proprioception was evaluated by angular error of the ankle reposition test (AEA) at three positions, randomly, i.e., plantarflexion-5°, plantarflexion-10° and dorsiflexion-5°. Balance performance was assessed by the star excursion balance test (SEBT).
Results:
As adjusted by pre-training baseline, no significant difference in AEA and SEBT was found among three groups. However, after training, only the WM group revealed a significant decrease in AEA at plantarflexion-5° (p = 0.007) and plantarflexion-10° (p = 0.04) compared to the baseline. For SEBT, the WM and RE groups showed significant improvements compared to the baseline in 4 directions each (p < 0.05), while the control group improved only 2 directions (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
WM and RE groups significantly improved SEBT after 4-week training when compared to before training. Additionally, WM group also improved ankle proprioception. Therefore, WM demonstrates feasibility as a promising intervention that could be applied for balance and ankle proprioceptive rehabilitations in persons with CAI.
