AUTHOR=Eladl Hadaya Mosaad , Elsherbini Dalia Mahmoud Abdelmonem , Elshorbagy Radwa T. , Ibrahim Ateya Megahed , El-Sherbiny Mohamed , Ibrahim Sherief El-Sayed Abd El-Farrag , Elfayoumi Ghada Ibrahim Fahmi , Aboonq Moutasem Salih , Elbastawisy Yasser M. , Salama Mohamed El-Dosoky Mohamed , Allam Nesma M. 

TITLE=Efficacy of adding mobilization and balance exercises to a home-based exercise program in patients with ankle disability: a randomized controlled trial

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1512587

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2025.1512587

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=BackgroundAnkle joint fractures account for 10.2% of all fractures. It has been hypothesized that mobilizing the ankle joint is a crucial intervention for improving balance and range of motion (ROM).ObjectiveThe current study explores the impact of incorporating mobilization, balance training, and physical therapy exercises into a home-based program on pain, ROM, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and peak muscle torque in patients with ankle disability following road traffic accidents (RTAs).MethodsIn this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 60 participants with post-RTA ankle disability were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group underwent home-based exercises combined with mobilization, balance training, and physical therapy for 2 months, while the control group followed only a home exercise program. The interventions were then implemented 3 days per week. Pain was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ankle ROM was measured using a universal goniometer, HRQoL was evaluated using the Short Form (SF 36) survey, and peak torque was assessed using the Biodex System isokinetic dynamometer.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group in pain, ROM, HRQoL, and peak muscle torque (p < 0.001). After 8 weeks, the experimental group outcomes for VAS, ROM of ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion (DF/PF), peak torque of DF/PF, and HRQoL physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) were 2.55 ± 0.22, 13.02 ± 0.38, 25.06 ± 0.40, 34.12 ± 0.81, 47.46 ± 0.90, 43.15 ± 0.78, and 45.01 ± 0.68, respectively. In contrast, the results of the control group were 5.98 ± 0.31, 6.16 ± 0.28, 14.97 ± 0.35, 26.17 ± 0.90, 41.38 ± 0.94, 33.05 ± 1.10, and 34.52 ± 1.06, respectively.ConclusionIncorporating mobilization and balance exercises into a physical therapy program significantly improves pain, ankle ROM, HRQoL, and muscle torque (DF/PF) in patients with ankle disability following RTAs.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT06010706.