Corticomotor Excitability Changes Induced by Progressive Balance Exercises in Chronic Ankle Instability: a Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Progressive balance exercises may influence corticomotor excitability during postural stability learning.
• Chronic ankle instability (CAI) affects postural control and may benefit from targeted interventions.
• Understanding changes in corticomotor excitability is crucial for optimizing rehabilitation strategies in CAI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of 6 weeks of progressive balance exercises on corticomotor excitability of the peroneus longus muscle in individuals with CAI.
• To assess changes in active and resting corticomotor thresholds, motor evoked potentials, and cortical silent periods.
• To compare these changes between an intervention group and a control group.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with participants diagnosed with CAI.
• Intervention group performed progressive balance exercises every other day for 6 weeks.
• Control group maintained daily activities; corticomotor excitability was measured via transcranial magnetic stimulation and electromyography.

Main Results:

• Significant decreases in corticomotor thresholds and cortical silent period for the peroneus longus muscle (p < 0.001).
• Significant increase in normalized motor evoked potential of the peroneus longus muscle (p < 0.001).
• Significant interaction effects observed between within-group and between-group measures for corticomotor excitability outcomes (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Six weeks of progressive balance exercises significantly enhance corticomotor excitability of the peroneus longus muscle in individuals with CAI.
• These findings suggest that balance training can modulate neural pathways involved in ankle stability.
• Progressive balance exercises represent a viable therapeutic approach for improving neuromuscular control in chronic ankle instability.