E-health intervention for preventing recurrent ankle sprains:a randomised controlled trial in general practice

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are frequent injuries in general practice. However, no effective treatment is available yet. AIM: resultTo examine the effectiveness of an unsupervised e-health-supported neuromuscular training programme in combination with usual care compared with usual care alone in patients with acute lateral ankle sprains in general practice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomised controlled trial with 1-year follow-up among patients (14-65 years) who visited the GP with an acute lateral ankle sprain within 3 weeks of injury. METHOD: The intervention group received, in addition to usual care, an unsupervised e-health-supported neuromuscular training programme and the control group received usual care alone. The primary outcome was self-reported re-sprains during 52 weeks of follow-up. Secondary outcomes were ankle function, pain in rest and during activity, subjective recovery, and return to the same type and level of sport. RESULTS: In total, 165 participants (mean age 38.3 years and 69 [41.8%] male) were included. No statistically significant difference in the occurrence of a re-sprain were found between the intervention 20.7% (17/82) and control group 24.1% (20/83) (hazard ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval = 0.59 to 2.21). Also, no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes were found between groups. The adherence rate to the programme was low (6.1%, 5/82). CONCLUSION: The rate of re-sprains was relatively high and an unsupervised e-health-supported neuromuscular training programme does not yield meaningful effects and does not encourage adherence in preventing re-sprains in patients in general practice. More research is necessary to indicate the best treatment modality and way of delivery for these patients.</p

E-health intervention for preventing recurrent ankle sprains:a randomised controlled trial in general practice

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are frequent injuries in general practice. However, no effective treatment is available yet. AIM: resultTo examine the effectiveness of an unsupervised e-health-supported neuromuscular training programme in combination with usual care compared with usual care alone in patients with acute lateral ankle sprains in general practice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomised controlled trial with 1-year follow-up among patients (14-65 years) who visited the GP with an acute lateral ankle sprain within 3 weeks of injury. METHOD: The intervention group received, in addition to usual care, an unsupervised e-health-supported neuromuscular training programme and the control group received usual care alone. The primary outcome was self-reported re-sprains during 52 weeks of follow-up. Secondary outcomes were ankle function, pain in rest and during activity, subjective recovery, and return to the same type and level of sport. RESULTS: In total, 165 participants (mean age 38.3 years and 69 [41.8%] male) were included. No statistically significant difference in the occurrence of a re-sprain were found between the intervention 20.7% (17/82) and control group 24.1% (20/83) (hazard ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval = 0.59 to 2.21). Also, no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes were found between groups. The adherence rate to the programme was low (6.1%, 5/82). CONCLUSION: The rate of re-sprains was relatively high and an unsupervised e-health-supported neuromuscular training programme does not yield meaningful effects and does not encourage adherence in preventing re-sprains in patients in general practice. More research is necessary to indicate the best treatment modality and way of delivery for these patients.</p

Effectiveness of additional supervised exercises compared with conventional treatment alone in patients with acute lateral ankle sprains: systematic review

Objective To summarise the effectiveness of adding supervised exercises to conventional treatment compared with conventional treatment alone in patients with acute lateral ankle sprains

Online multifactorial prevention programme has no effect on the number of running-related injuries: a randomised controlled trial

Objective To examine the effect of a multifactorial, online injury prevention programme on the number of running-related injuries (RRIs) in recreational runners. Methods Adult recreational runners who registered for a runnin

Preventing running-related injuries using evidence-based online advice: The design of a randomised-controlled trial

Introduction Running-related injuries (RRIs) are frequent and can lead to cessation of health promoting activities. Several risk factors for RRIs have been identified. However, no successful injury prevention programme has been developed so far. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of an evidence-based online injury prevention programme on the number of RRIs. Methods and analysis The INSPIRE trial is a randomised-controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up. Both novice and more experienced runners, aged 18 years and older, who register for a running event (distances 5 km up to 42.195 km) will be asked to participate in this study. After completing the baseline questionnaire, participants will be randomised into either the intervention group or control group. Participants in the intervention group will get access to the online injury prevention programme. This prevention programme consists of information on evidence-based risk factors and advices

10-Year natural course of early hip osteoarthritis in middle-aged persons with hip pain: A CHECK study

Objective: To explore the natural course of hip osteoarthritis (OA) in a population of first-time presenters with hip complaints. Methods: Data were collected at baseline and after 2, 5, 8 and 10 years on participants from the Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee study with early symptomatic hip OA. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the natural course of the hip complaints with respect to clinical signs and symptoms, physical functioning and radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) features. Results: In total, 588 participants were included with hip complaints and 86% completed the 10-year follow-up. The 10-year follow-up showed that 12% (69 participants) underwent hip replacement (HR), an increase of ROA of the hip (Kellgren and Lawrence score≥2) from 19% to 49%, and an increase in clinical hip OA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria from 27% to 43%. All Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index subscales and physical activity remained on average constant during the 10-year follow-up for those who did not undergo an HR. The use of pain medication increased from 43% at baseline to 50% after 10 years. Conclusion: One out of nine participants with early hip problems received an HR during the 10-year follow-up. Prevalence of clinical hip OA and hip ROA increased steadily during the 10-year follow-up. Overall, we observed more hip OA, but fewer or stable complaints with respect to clinical signs and symptoms, and physical functioning. So it could be cautiously concluded that after 10 years, first-time presenters with hip complaints either received an HR or their symptoms remained stable

Chronic Complaints After Ankle Sprains: A Systematic Review on Effectiveness of Treatments

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of treatments for patients with chronic complaints after ankle sprain. BACKGROUND: Though most people recover completely after a lateral inversion ankle injury, a considerable percentage have persistent complaints. Currently, it is still unclear which treatment options are best for these patients. METHODS: Major databases, including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PEDro, were searched for randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials conducted from 1966 to October 2012. Due to clinical heterogeneity, the data were analyzed using a best-evidence synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 20 randomized controlled trials and 1 controlled clinical trial were included in the analysis. The included studies compared different treatments (training programs, physiotherapy, chiropractic/manual therapy, surgery, postoperative training, and functional treatment). For pain and function outcomes, limited to moderate evidence was found for effectiveness of a training program compared to conservative treatment. Two studies found a decrease of recurrences after a proprioceptive training program. Four studies showed good results for different surgical methods but did not include a nonsurgical control group for comparison. Limited evidence was found for the effectiveness of an early mobilization program after surgery. CONCLUSION: In chronic ankle complaints after an ankle sprain, a training program gives better results for pain and function, and a decrease of recurrent ankle sprains, than a wait-and-see policy. There was insufficient evidence to determine the most effective surgical treatment, but limited evidence suggests that postoperative, early mobilization was more effective than a plaster cast