Effects of Adding Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Exercises to Postural Stabilization Training on Balance and Fear of Injury in Amateur Athletes Aged 18 to 35 with Chronic Ankle Instability

What this Trial Is About

Chronic ankle instability CAI is a common condition that occurs after a lateral ankle sprain, characterized by mechanical or functional instability and repeated episodes of the ankle giving way, lasting at least 12 months. CAI involves not only biomechanical or neuromuscular deficits but also motor-behavioral, sensory-perceptual, psychological, and environmental factors. Amateur athletes with CAI face high sensorimotor and cognitive demands in sports activities that require rapid visual perception and motor responses while maintaining balance. This trial evaluates whether adding vestibulo-ocular reflex VOR exercises to postural stabilization training can improve visuo-motor reaction, fear avoidance behavior related to sports injuries, and fear of movement kinesiophobia in these athletes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving ankle joint mobilization followed by postural stabilization training involving single-leg stance progression and hop tasks, and the other receiving the same treatment plus VOR exercises focused on visual fixation during head movements in various positions. Both groups will perform approximately 45-minute sessions three times a week for six weeks, including 5 minutes of ankle mobilization before exercises. The VOR exercises aim to enhance gaze stability and sensory integration during dynamic balance tasks. Participants will be assessed at the start, after six weeks of intervention, and at a 10-week follow-up. Evaluations include the Reactive Balance Test for visuo-motor reaction, the Turkish version of the Athlete Fear Avoidance Questionnaire to measure fear related to sports injuries, and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia to assess fear of movement. The study monitors improvements in balance, psychological factors, and motor performance in amateur athletes with CAI throughout the intervention and follow-up periods.

The Effects of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Exercises Added to Postural Stabilization Training in Amateur Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability