RecruitingNot Applicable

Neurocognitive Ankle Training for Instability to Optimize Neuromusculoskeletal Outcomes (NATION)

United States180 participantsStarted 2025-10-13

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a novel ankle rehabilitation protocol on improving clinical and health outcomes in physically active individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Our central hypothesis is NATION, a novel rehabilitation intervention that includes neurocognitive tasks, will improve overall health and function, and reduce lower extremity musculoskeletal injury in physically active individuals with CAI.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years – 44 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Physically active and engage in regular exercise/training * 18-44 years old (accounts for 86% of the individuals deployed in recent military conflicts) * Answer "yes" to Question 1 (i.e., have you ever sprained an ankle?) on the Ankle Instability Instrument * Answer "yes" to any four of the remaining Ankle Instability Instrument questions * Score \<24 on the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool * Report at least two episodes of the ankle "giving way" in the last six months * Access to a functional email address and internet for completion of health and Service member outcomes * Ability to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to read or comprehend the English language. * An ankle sprain within the last six (≤6) weeks that resulted in altered or missed physical activity for one or more (≥1) consecutive days. * History of ankle surgery. * History of lower extremity fracture in the last year or history of fracture that required fixation. * Any peripheral neuropathies or other health conditions/current musculoskeletal injuries that may influence balance. * Pregnant females (will be eligible for participation in the study after delivery of the baby and medical clearance by a qualified and licensed healthcare provider).

What they're measuring

Ankle Strength

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Balance

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Motor Cognition

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Ankle Range of Motion

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Somatosensation

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06527287

SponsorWomack Army Medical Center

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-06-14

Contact for this trial

Megan H. Roach, PhD

910-907-1042 megan.h.roach.civ@health.mil

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Ankle Instability trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range18 Years – 44 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Ankle Strength

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Balance

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Motor Cognition

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Ankle Range of Motion

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment

Somatosensation

Timeframe: Baseline, 6-weeks post-enrollment, & 6-months post-enrollment