The Correlation Between Self-Reported Instability, Balance and Health Status in Individuals with Chronic Functional Ankle Instability

Abstract

Background: Functional ankle instability (FAI), characterized by feeling of “giving way” and instability of ankle, is the most prevalent problem following ankle sprains which causes deficits in balance and health status. However, little is known about the correlation between ankle instability measuring tools in individuals with FAI. Objectives: The present study aimed at evaluating the correlation between self-reported instability with balance and health status in individuals with FAI. Methods: Twenty-three patients with unilateral FAI and 23 healthy individuals participated in the present study. Ankle instability index and SF-36 questionnaire were completed by the participants; then balance error scoring system (BESS) was used to measure static balance. To compare balance and health status between the 2 groups, independent sample and Mann-Whitney tests were used; moreover, Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between the main variables. Results: BESS scores in FAI group was significantly more than the control group (P < 0.05). The Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between the ankle instability index with all of SF-36 subscales except for energy/fatigue and social function (r = 0.43 to 0.85, P > 0.05). However, no significant correlation was found between the balance tests scores and the instability index. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that the individuals with FAI had greater activity limitations and participation restrictions compared with the control group. There were deficits in balance status in FAI group. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between the ankle instability index and the subjective measures of health status.