Immediate effects of ankle brace design on mediolateral postural control and perceived support in young adults with functional ankle instability.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the immediate effects of three ankle brace designs-a single-strap ankle brace (SPAB), a figure-eight elastic ankle brace (FEAB), and a semi-rigid ankle brace (SRAB)-on static balance, landing-related postural stability, perceived stability, and comfort in young adults with functional ankle instability (FAI).

DESIGN

Randomised crossover laboratory study.

SETTING

Biomechanics laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-two young adults with clinically defined FAI (21 unilateral, one bilateral).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Centre-of-pressure sway during single-leg quiet stance, dynamic postural stability indices during single-leg landing, and 100-mm visual analogue scales of perceived stability and comfort. Mediolateral sway velocity (Sway V-ML) and mediolateral stability index (MLSI) were prespecified as primary outcomes.

RESULTS

FEAB reduced Sway V-ML versus unbraced (7.61%, p = 0.013, Cohen's d_av = 0.37) and total sway velocity versus unbraced, SPAB, and SRAB (5.69%-9.25%, all p ≤ 0.037). FEAB also reduced MLSI versus unbraced (10.61%, p < 0.001, d_av = 0.53) and SRAB (8.17%, p = 0.033, d_av = 0.38). Sway-area variables, DPSI, APSI, and VSI showed no significant differences. All braces increased perceived stability, whereas SRAB was least comfortable.

CONCLUSION

FEAB showed modest, direction-specific short-term benefits in mediolateral postural control without reducing comfort, supporting task-specific brace selection in FAI rehabilitation.