Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Versus Photobiomodulation Therapy for Chronic Ankle Instability

Egypt38 participantsStarted 2025-08-29

Plain-language summary

PURPOSE: To Compare between the effect of extra corporeal shock wave and Photobiomodulation on pain level, ROM, muscle strength, function level, dynamic balance and thickness of ligament in patients with chronic ankle instability. BACKGROUND: Lateral ankle sprains are the most common lower limb musculoskeletal injury incurred by individuals who participate in sports and recreational physical activities Approximately 40% of individuals who sustain a LAS develop a condition known as chronic ankle instability (CAI) (Miklovic et al., 2018), The lateral ligamentous complex is the main structure affected in 80-85% of these injuries, which are originated from a sudden inversion or supination trauma (Mansur et al., 2021). The ligament system plays a fundamental role in the ankle's stability and includes a talocrural complex and a subtalar complex that are functionally related. For the talocrural joint, three lateral collateral ligaments are present and one medial collateral ligament (Bonnel et al., 2010). Physical examination is mostly the first diagnostic step in the assessment of ankle injuries. Imaging modalities such as ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play a major role in providing a detailed depiction of ankle tendons and ligaments (Hosseinian et al., 2022). The effect of ESWT is Higher multiplication of collagen fibers; faster organization of muscle fibers and vascularization by treatment with radial shockwaves (Schnurrer-Luke-Vrbanic et al., 2018), ESWT could improve pain, ankle instability, ankle function, dorsiflexion ROM, and dynamic balance in patients with CAI (Le et al., 2022). Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is effective for patients with an ankle sprain. PBMT showed high effect size with a moderate level of evidence on pain intensity and is related to the PBMT intensity and frequency (Alayat et al., 2024). HYPOTHESES: There is no statistically significant effect of extra corporeal shock wave versus photobiomodulation on level of pain, ROM, muscle strength, function level, dynamic balance and thickness of ligament in patients with chronic ankle instability. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there any effect of extra corporeal shock wave versus Photobiomodulation on pain level, ROM, muscle strength, function level, dynamic balance and thickness of ligament in patients with chronic ankle instability?

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

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

Inclusion Criteria: \- 60 participants ranging in age from 18 to 65 years from both gender with a diagnosis of Chronic lateral ankle instability stage (II) (Schurz et al., 2023). Patients body mass index (BMI) are ranged from 18,5 to 25 (lee et al., 2022). The main presenting symptoms were ankle pain with restricted ROM that compromised activities of daily living (Schurz et al., 2023). All ankle sprains occurring more than four weeks before inclusion both recurrent sprain and CAI patients are included (Schurz et al., 2023). Mild to moderate severity of pain measured by NPRS scale (Srinivas, 2022). no wounds in the ankle joint and calf (lee et al., 2022). Participants had no history of ankle joint injuries or surgical procedures within the last year and injection treatment around the ankle joint within six months (lee et al., 2022). Exclusion Criteria: * they had any medical condition that could cause ankle pain (arthritis, fracture, rheumatiod arthritis, any deformity of ankle and neurological condition). Any individual who had previously suffered a musculoskeletal injury or surgery that could have influenced the measurement was also eliminated. Any individual who had diagnosed a Chronic lateral ankle instability stage (I, III). Acute foot trauma occurring from 7 days of injury (Srinivas, 2022).

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

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Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Thickness of ligament in patients with chronic ankle instability.

Timeframe: Before and after treatment program for 1 month

Function activity level

Timeframe: Before and after treatment program for 1 month

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07139288

SponsorCairo University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-10

Contact for this trial

Dina Ramadan Ahmed, Doctoral

02+ 01033302828 dinaramadan2431993@gmail.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Ankle Instability, CAI trials