Acupuncture or similar needle treatments may improve pain, balance, proprioception, and overall function in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), according to a study published in . Complementary therapies in medicine.
People with repeated ankle sprains may be more susceptible to CAI, which can contribute to functional impairment that impacts quality of life. Managing CAI is important to ameliorate these dysfunctions. Nonsurgical interventions include exercise therapy, manual therapy, electronic physical therapy, and acupuncture. Conflicting research results on the effectiveness of acupuncture or similar acupuncture treatments have led researchers to investigate the effects of acupuncture or similar acupuncture treatments on functional impairments such as pain, impaired proprioception, decreased balance, and self-reported function in individuals with the following conditions: We sought to evaluate the effects of acupuncture or similar acupuncture treatments. Kai.
A total of 12 studies (n=571) published from 2013 to 2021 were included in the review and 8 were included in the meta-analysis. Individuals with a history of CAI who did not receive acupuncture or similar acupuncture were divided into the control group, and individuals who received acupuncture and acupuncture were divided into the experimental group.
The researchers noted that pain was significantly reduced in the experimental group compared to the control group. Significant improvements in proprioception and balance were also observed after acupuncture or similar acupuncture treatments.
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Available evidence suggests that acupuncture or similar acupuncture treatments are beneficial in improving pain, proprioception, balance, and self-reported function in patients with CAI.
Furthermore, individuals in the experimental group showed improvement in self-reported function according to the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Association and Foot and Ankle Performance Measures of Activities of Daily Living were also compared to the control group. The weighted average difference for each measurement is:
- Pain (1.33; 95% CI, 0.14-2.52; I2=90%; P =.03)
- Proprioception and balance (1.71; 95% CI, 0.95-2.48; P <.0001)
- Self-report function (2.92; 95% CI, 0.94-4.90, I2=78%; P =.004)
- American Orthopedic Ankle Association Activities of Daily Living (9.36; 95% CI, 6.57-12.15; P <.001)
- Foot and Ankle Performance Measures Activities of Daily Living (5.09; 95% CI, 1.74-8.44; P =.003)
Study limitations include the small number of studies and sample size, high variation between studies in acupuncture or similar acupuncture techniques used, and inconsistent participant demographics. Masu.
The researchers concluded that “available evidence suggests that acupuncture or similar acupuncture treatments are beneficial for improving pain, proprioception, balance, and self-reported function in patients with CAI.” .
References:
Luan L, Zhu M, Adams R, Witchalls J, Pranata A, Han J. Effects of acupuncture or similar acupuncture treatments on pain, proprioception, balance, and self-reported function in patients with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review and Metadata analysis. Complement Sir Med. Published online on September 2, 2023. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102983
