NCT07689747 Neurocognitive Enrichment During Functional Performance Testing in Chronic Ankle Instability

Eligibility & Interventions

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You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 40 participants in total. It began in 2026-06-08 with a primary completion date of 2026-10-08.

Brief Summary

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is associated with recurrent ankle sprains, impaired postural control, and reduced functional performance. Traditional functional performance tests are commonly used to assess athletes with CAI; however, these assessments are typically conducted under isolated motor conditions and may not adequately reflect the neurocognitive demands encountered during sports participation. The aim of this randomized crossover study is to investigate the acute effects of neurocognitively enriched testing conditions on balance and functional performance in athletes with CAI. Participants will perform functional performance tests under four different conditions: standard testing, internal focus of attention, external focus of attention, and cognitive dual-task conditions. Dynamic balance, vertical jump performance, single-leg hop performance, figure-of-8 hop performance, and dual-task cost will be assessed and compared across conditions. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of more ecologically valid assessment approaches for athletes with CAI and provide insights into the influence of attentional focus and cognitive load on functional performance.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged between 16 and 25 years. * Actively participating as a licensed football, basketball, or volleyball athlete. * History of at least one lateral ankle sprain occurring ≥12 months before study participation, associated with pain and/or swelling and resulting in at least one day of restricted physical activity. * History of recurrent ankle instability, defined as at least two episodes of giving way during the previous 6 months and/or recurrent ankle sprains. * Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score ≤25. * Participating in regular sports training at least 3 times per week. * No ankle surgery within the previous 6 months. * Able to safely perform all functional performance tests. * Willing to undergo assessment of the more symptomatic ankle; in participants with bilateral chronic ankle instability, the ankle with the lower CAIT score will be evaluated. Exclusion Criteria: * Acute ankle sprain within the previous 6 weeks accompanied by significant pain, swelling, or functional limitation. * History of major lower-extremity surgery (e.g., knee, hip, or ankle surgery). * History of neurological, vestibular, or systemic disorders that may affect balance or motor performance. * Visual or cognitive impairments that could interfere with test performance. * Lower-extremity injuries other than ankle instability within the previous 6 months that may negatively affect functional performance.

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