Motor imagery in the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains in soccer athletes: a pilot study

ABSTRACT

Ankle sprain is a common injury in soccer athletes and has a high relapse rate. Motor imagery (MI) may be an alternative treatment to diminish the neuromuscular consequences after the injury. Thus, this study aimed to verify the preliminary results of the effectiveness of MI in the rehabilitation of soccer athletes with acute ankle sprain. Twenty young athletes of the male sex participated in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups: intervention (IG) and control (CG). Participants underwent conventional rehabilitation (cryotherapy, electrotherapy and kinesiotherapy) for ankle sprain, but only the IG performed imagery exercises to try to recognize the ankle-foot figures, projected by a computer, from various perspectives and angles. The ranges of motion (ROM) were measured for dorsiflexion and plantar postural control, edema and functional stability. After treatment, no difference between groups were observed regarding dorsiflexion ROM (p=0.23), plantar flexion ROM (p=0.50), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in the anterior direction (p=0.70), SEBT in the posterolateral direction (p=0.29), SEBT in the posteromedial direction (p=0.79), perimetry in "8" (p=0.50) and the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) questionnaire for functional instability (p = 0.70). The MI was not an effective method for ankle sprains treatment in field soccer athletes to improve ROM, dynamic balance, edema and functional stability. However, this is a pilot study and further investigations are required.

Keywords:
Ankle Injuries/rehabilitation; Imagery (Psychotherapy); Functional Laterality; Postural Balance