The Effects of Neurocognitive Training on Pain, Proprioception, Injury Anxiety, and Functional and Neurocognitive Performance in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability
The Effects of Neurocognitive Training on Pain, Proprioception, Injury Anxiety, and Functional and Neurocognitive Performance in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of neurocognitive training on pain, proprioception, injury-related fear, functional, and neurocognitive performance in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI).
Materials and Methods: A total of 30 athletes with CAI, with a mean age of 11.10±1.06 years and residing in Balıkesir, were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups using simple randomization: the intervention group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Two participants from the control group were excluded from the final analyses due to missing post-intervention assessments. The intervention group received a neurocognitive training program conducted twice a week for four weeks, following an initial familiarization week. The training was progressively administered on flat ground, balance mat, BOSU, and inverted BOSU. Both groups were evaluated before and after the 4-week intervention using the following measures: the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI), the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), pain intensity, proprioception, fear of re-injury, Y Balance Test (YBT), Side Hop Test, Reactive Balance Test (RBT), and Upper Extremity Choice Reaction Time Test.
Results: The results were analyzed.
Inclusion Criteria:
Aged between 10 and 18 years
At least 2 years of active athletic participation
History of ankle sprain with at least 2 inflammatory symptoms (e.g., pain, swelling)
The most recent sprain occurred at least 3 months prior to the study start date
A score of 11 or above on the FABIT (Simon et al., 2012)
A score of ≤27 on the CAIT (Yin et al., 2022)
Willingness to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
History of hip/pelvis, knee, or ankle surgery within the past year
History of ankle fracture
Diagnosis of a neurological disorder
Presence of vestibular disorders