The correlation between postural control and upper limb position sense in people with chronic ankle instability

Abstract

BackgroundChronic ankle instability (CAI) is attributed to functional instability driven by insufficient proprioception. However, it is not clear whether the deficits are related to global impaired performance or to specific decrease in ankle motor-control. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between lower limb postural control and upper limb position sense among people with CAI, in order to further explore the function of the central neural control in people with CAI.MethodsFourteen participants (10 males, 4 females) with self-reported CAI and 14 age- and gender-matched, healthy controls participated in this study. Each participant completed single-limb stance postural control tests and shoulder position sense tests. The Overall Stability Index (OSI) was used as a measure of postural stability. The average of the absolute error score (AES) was calculated as a measure of shoulder position sense. Pearson correlations between the scores of the four body sites –lower limb postural stability (preferred/non-preferred), shoulder (preferred/non-preferred) were determined separately for each group.ResultsIn the control group, significant correlations were found between the OSI score of the right and left ankles (r = 0.887, p < 0.001), between the AES of the right and left shoulders (r = 0.656, p = 0.011), as well as between the OSI score and the AES of the non-preferred side (r = 0.649, p = 0.012). In the CAI group, significant correlation was found only between the OSI score at both ankles (r = 0.6, p = 0.002).ConclusionsIndividuals with CAI demonstrated lower limb postural control and upper limb position sense similar to those shown in healthy controls. However, correlations between the lower and upper limbs were observed only in the healthy controls. Clinicians can use this information and employ activities that focus on coordinating the upper and lower extremities when designing neuromuscular control training programs for people with CAI.

Effects of dual-task and walking speed on gait variability in people with chronic ankle instability: a cross-sectional study

“…Previous reports, including a meta-analysis, indicated that simple postural tasks do not always discriminate between participants with CAI and those without [6, 8, 30]. Consequently, we hypothesized that gait variability among individuals with and without CAI will be similar during “normal” self-paced walking, whereas gait will vary under complex walking conditions.…”

“…For example, Springer et al [8] assessed the correlation between single-limb stance postural control (Overall Stability Index) and shoulder position sense (Absolute Error Score) among people with CAI and healthy controls. Correlations between the lower and upper limbs were observed only in the healthy controls, indicating altered sensorimotor integration in the CAI group.…”

Managing ankle ligament sprains and tears: current opinion

“…It is believed that inclusion of upper extremity postural control exercises may be important due to possible deficits in the central sensorimotor integration and processing in individuals with CAI. 65 A recent study found that individuals with CAI did not demonstrate a correlation in upper and lower limb postural control that was observed in the healthy controls. This may support interventions that address coordination of the upper extremity during ankle rehabilitation as a preventative measure against reinjury.…”

“…This may support interventions that address coordination of the upper extremity during ankle rehabilitation as a preventative measure against reinjury. 65 The role of fibular malpositioning after a lateral ankle sprain has been debated. Mulligan athletic taping is a technique directed at fibular repositioning ( Figure 7 ).…”

Knee position sense: does the time interval at the target angle affect position accuracy?

“…While JPS can be measured at the spine 5 ) , shoulder 6 ) , elbow 7 ) , hip 8 ) , and ankle joints 9 ) , the knee is most commonly used to evaluate position sense acuity 2 , 4 ) . Abnormal JPS has been demonstrated in people with knee pathologies, such as after anterior cruciate ligament injury 10 ) , in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome 11 ) , and with knee osteoarthritis 12 ) .…”