Physical Therapy Intervention Effects on Alteration of Spinal Excitability in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Context: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common injury in athletes. Different forms of physical therapy have been applied to the population with CAI to assess their impact on spinal excitability.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of various physical therapy interventions on the alteration of spinal excitability in patients with CAI.

Data sources: Four databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Scopus) were searched from inception to November 2022.

Study selection: A total of 253 studies were obtained and screened; 11 studies on the effects of physical therapy intervention on the alteration of spinal excitability in patients with CAI were identified for meta-analysis.

Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Level of evidence: Level 3a.

Data extraction: A total of 11 studies that included the maximal Hoffmann reflex normalized by the maximal muscle response (H/M ratio) in the peroneus longus and soleus muscles were extracted and summarized. The quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale.

Results: The extracted studies had an average PEDro score of 4.7 ± 1.4, indicating that most of them had fair-to-good quality. The physical therapy interventions included cryotherapy, taping, mobilization, proprioceptive training, and dry needling. The overall effects showed that the H/M ratios of the peroneus longus (P = 0.44, I² = 0%) and soleus (P = 0.56,I² = 22%) muscles were not changed by physical therapy in patients with CAI.

Conclusion: The meta-analysis indicated that physical therapy interventions such as cryotherapy, taping, mobilization, proprioceptive training, and dry needling do not alter the spinal excitability in patients with CAI. Given that only 1 study reported ineffective changes in spinal excitability with dry needling, more research is essential to establish and validate its efficacy.

Prospero registration: CRD42022372998.