The Effects of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Exercises Added to Postural Stabilization Training in Chro… (NCT07728526) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
The Effects of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Exercises Added to Postural Stabilization Training in Chronic Ankle Instability
Turkey (Türkiye)56 participantsStarted 2026-07-22
Plain-language summary
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common condition after lateral ankle sprain. CAI is characterized by mechanical and/or functional instability, or recurrent episodes of "giving way," persisting for at least 12 months after the initial injury, and is associated with limitations in activity and participation. In amateur athletes, CAI may be overlooked or undertreated, although sport-specific activities require rapid integration of visual, vestibular, somatosensory, and cognitive information.
Postural stabilization training is commonly used to improve balance and neuromuscular control in individuals with CAI. However, individuals with CAI may show increased reliance on visual information and altered visual-vestibular sensory reweighting during postural control tasks. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) contributes to gaze stability and visual clarity during head movements and may also be related to neurocognitive processes such as attention and processing speed. This study is designed as a randomized controlled, prospective, parallel-group, pretest-posttest design trial to investigate whether VOR exercises added to postural stabilization training improve dynamic balance, functional instability, and neurocognitive performance in amateur athletes with CAI.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 35 Years
Sex
ALL
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:
* Being between 18 and 35 years of age.
* Being classified as a Tier 2 athlete according to the McKay et al. Participant Classification Framework (trained/developmental level).
* Having a history of at least one lateral ankle sprain (LAS) occurring at least 12 months before enrollment, resulting in swelling, pain, and functional impairment, and followed by persistent instability.
* Having the most recent ankle sprain at least 3 months before study enrollment.
* Having a history of recurrent ankle sprains or episodes of "giving way."
* Having a diagnosis of unilateral chronic ankle instability (CAI).
* Having a Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool - Turkish Version (CAIT-T) score of ≤24.
* Having a Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) score of \<90%.
* Having a Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Sports subscale (FAAM-S) score of \<80%.
* A side-to-side difference of ≥2.5 cm in Weight-Bearing Lunge Test distance, with the affected side demonstrating less dorsiflexion than the unaffected side.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of acute lateral ankle sprain within the last 3 months.
* History of lower extremity surgery.
* History of acute injury to other musculoskeletal structures of the lower extremity joints within the last 3 months that affected joint integrity and function and caused interruption of desired physical activity for at least one day.
* History of balance or vestibular disorders, including cerebellar, vestibular, cochlear, or inner ear dysfunction.
* …
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?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
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
1
Y Balance Test
Timeframe: baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, and 10-week after baseline