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The change of corticomotor excitability in individuals with functional ankle instability following progressive balance exercises: A randomized clinical trial
  • Mahdis Purzolfi,
  • Cyrus Taghizadeh Delkhoush,
  • Majid Mirmohammadkhani
Mahdis Purzolfi
Semnan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
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Cyrus Taghizadeh Delkhoush
Semnan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Majid Mirmohammadkhani
Semnan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
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Abstract

Progressive balance exercises may change corticomotor excitability during the learning process of postural stability control. The primary purpose of the present study was to assess corticomotor excitability corresponding to the peroneus longus muscle under transcranial magnetic stimulation following 6 weeks of progressive balance exercises in individuals suffering from functional ankle instability. Eligible volunteers with functional ankle instability were randomly and equally assigned to either the intervention or control groups. The intervention group participated in progressive balance exercises every other day for 6 weeks, while the control group continued their daily activities and refrained from new physical activities. The variables were measured in the intervention group before and after the progressive balance exercises, and in the control group twice at an interval of 6 weeks. The primary variables included the active and resting corticomotor thresholds, motor evoked potential, and cortical silent period, which were measured using an electromyography device under a transcranial magnetic stimulator. The corticomotor thresholds and cortical silent period of the peroneus longus muscle significantly decreased in the intervention group following progressive balance exercises (p-value < 0.001), whereas the normalized motor evoked potential significantly increased in the same group (p-value < 0.001). Conversely, no significant changes were detected in the control group (p-value > 0.086). The present study revealed, for the first time, that 6 weeks of progressive balance exercises significantly increased corticomotor excitability corresponding to the peroneus longus muscle and improved balance control in individuals suffering from functional ankle instability.
02 Nov 2024Submitted to European Journal of Neuroscience
08 Nov 2024Submission Checks Completed
08 Nov 2024Assigned to Editor
08 Nov 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Nov 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned