Chronic Ankle InstabilityNCT06682897
Simplified Tai Chi Exercises to Improve Function in People With Chronic Ankle Instability
A study testing Tai Chi training in people with Chronic Ankle Instability, run by Loughborough University at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
The goal of this interventional trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the simplified four-week Tai Chi training in improving function in people with chronic ankle instability. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the 4-week Tai Chi training improve ankle neuromuscular responses? 2. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- What is being tested?
- Tai Chi training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 5 Aug 2024to 2 Dec 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged from 18 to 40
- A history of at least one significant lateral ankle sprain was associated with inflammatory symptoms (pain, swelling, etc) and disrupted activity
- The initial sprain must have occurred at least 12 months prior to study enrolment
- The most recent injury must have occurred more than 3 months prior to study enrolment
- Reports of feeling instable or "giving way" during daily activities or physical activities and experienced at least 2 episodes in the 6 months prior to study enrolment
- Scoring ≤25 on the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool
Who cannot join
- Any previous fractures or surgeries on the lower limbs
- Have other muscle, joint or nerve disorders that affect the function of the lower limbs
- Chest pain at rest, dizziness during rest, heart condition, or doctor's advice not to exercise without medical supervision
- Currently enrolled in other ankle rehabilitation programmes
- Already a Tai Chi practitioner
- Pregnant
- Allergic to adhesive tapes
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United Kingdom1 site
Loughborough University
Loughborough, Leicester, LE113TU
About this study
The goal of this interventional trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the simplified four-week Tai Chi training in improving function in people with chronic ankle instability. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training improve ankle neuromuscular responses?
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training enhance ankle proprioception?
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training improve ankle muscle strength？
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training boost balance performance？
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training enhance subjective ankle stability and quality of life?
Read more
Researchers will compare Tai Chi training to self-management to see if this Tai Chi training works to enhance ankle stability performance.
Participants will:
- Take self-management and Tai Chi training, and each for 4 weeks
- Visit the labs every 4 weeks for biomechanical measurements and questionnaires, totally 3 times.
Read the detailed description
Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise practiced by millions worldwide to stay active and improve health. Based on muscle activation levels across the full set of movements (108 forms), we developed a simplified 16-form Tai Chi routine to enhance ankle stability for individuals with chronic ankle instability.
To evaluate the benefits of this simplified 16-form version for ankle function in people with chronic ankle instability, we are recruiting individuals managing symptoms of chronic ankle instability for a 4-week training program and assess their ankle-related function three times. All participants are randomly allocated to both the Tai Chi training group or a self-management control group, while maintaining their usual lifestyle and exercise routines throughout the study. All participants will complete the same training content and assessment tasks; participants in the control group will be offered the Tai Chi training following completion of the second outcome assessment.
The Tai Chi training includes a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 1 hour (10 minutes of warm-up, 45 minutes of Tai Chi practice, and a 5-minute cool down). Each of the three functional assessments will include consistent measures, including muscle activation, proprioception, muscle strength, balance testing, and self-assessment scales (ankle function and quality of life).
- Conditions
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- Being tested
- Tai Chi training
- Keywords
- ankle, Tai Chi
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tai Chi trainingBehavioural
60 minutes each session, three sessions per week, lasting 4 weeks for undertaking.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Experimental | Participants will be asked to choose three time slots per week to come to the lab, and each time slot will consist of a 1-hour workout that includes a 10-minute warm-up, a 45-minute Tai Chi practice, and a 5-minute cool-down. Receives: Behavioral: Tai Chi training |
| Control | No intervention | Participants replicated all the procedures of the exercise trial except for the different starting phase of the training. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Ankle neuromuscular reponses
This includes two tasks, one is drop-landing, the other is ankle inversion perturbation. Each side will perform each task three times. Six electromyography muscle sensors will be placed on peroneus longus, peroneus brevis and tibialis anterior muscles to record muscle activity.
Measured: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Secondary outcomes (4)
Ankle proprioception
Proprioception will be tested using both the Humac Norm dynamometer and the trapdoor devices.
Humac: Participants' ankles will be moved to inversion positions of 10 and 20 degrees and eversion positions of 10 and 15 degrees under the Humac device. The degrees of their active and passive replication will be recorded.
Trapdoor: The tilt angle will be adjusted using four wooden blocks to 10, 12, 14, and 16 degrees. Each angle will be repeated randomly 10 times, totaling 40 trials. The perceived height number for each trial will be recorded.
Measured: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Ankle muscle strength
Ankle Muscle Strength will be assessed using the HUMAC Norm dynamometer. The assessment of eversion will be conducted at a speed of 30°/s (eccentric and concentric), and inversion will be conducted at a speed of 60°/s (eccentric and concentric). The peak of the participant's maximum effort three times will be recorded.
Measured: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Balance performance
Static balance:
Participants are asked to complete three trials of unipedal stance on both limbs in both open and close eyes. A total of 12 trials are required, with each trial lasting for 10 s.
Dynamic balance:
SEBT: Three times each side. The most distal aspect of the great toe on 0 (crossroad of eight lines) during the entire procedure.The maximum distance (centimeters) for each reach direction is recorded.
DLBT: Three times each side. All participants start by moving their right leg clockwise and their left leg counterclockwise to each direction. After jumping to an outer target, participants need to return to the center target and stabilise for two seconds, then jump again to an outer target. The total time will be recorded.
Measured: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Questionnaire
This includes the assessment of subjective ankle stability using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire, as well as the evaluation of quality of life using the SF-12 questionnaire.
Measured: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Nov 2024
- Study start5 Aug 2024
- Primary completion2 Dec 2024
- Study completion2 Dec 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Ankle InstabilityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Loughborough University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Qian Qian, Loughborough University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06682897
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 17526
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 4 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to privacy concerns and institutional data protection policies.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Simplified Tai Chi Exercises to Improve Function in People With Chronic Ankle Instability
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06682897
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 17526
- Conditions
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- Keywords
- ankle, Tai Chi
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Loughborough UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Dec 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this interventional trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the simplified four-week Tai Chi training in improving function in people with chronic ankle instability. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training improve ankle neuromuscular responses?
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training enhance ankle proprioception?
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training improve ankle muscle strength？
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training boost balance performance？
- Does the 4-week Tai Chi training enhance subjective ankle stability and quality of life?
Researchers will compare Tai Chi training to self-management to see if this Tai Chi training works to enhance ankle stability performance.
Participants will:
- Take self-management and Tai Chi training, and each for 4 weeks
- Visit the labs every 4 weeks for biomechanical measurements and questionnaires, totally 3 times.
Detailed description
Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise practiced by millions worldwide to stay active and improve health. Based on muscle activation levels across the full set of movements (108 forms), we developed a simplified 16-form Tai Chi routine to enhance ankle stability for individuals with chronic ankle instability.
To evaluate the benefits of this simplified 16-form version for ankle function in people with chronic ankle instability, we are recruiting individuals managing symptoms of chronic ankle instability for a 4-week training program and assess their ankle-related function three times. All participants are randomly allocated to both the Tai Chi training group or a self-management control group, while maintaining their usual lifestyle and exercise routines throughout the study. All participants will complete the same training content and assessment tasks; participants in the control group will be offered the Tai Chi training following completion of the second outcome assessment.
The Tai Chi training includes a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 1 hour (10 minutes of warm-up, 45 minutes of Tai Chi practice, and a 5-minute cool down). Each of the three functional assessments will include consistent measures, including muscle activation, proprioception, muscle strength, balance testing, and self-assessment scales (ankle function and quality of life).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Experimental | Behavioral: Tai Chi trainingParticipants will be asked to choose three time slots per week to come to the lab, and each time slot will consist of a 1-hour workout that includes a 10-minute warm-up, a 45-minute Tai Chi practice, and a 5-minute cool-down. |
| Control | No intervention | –Participants replicated all the procedures of the exercise trial except for the different starting phase of the training. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Aged from 18 to 40
- A history of at least one significant lateral ankle sprain was associated with inflammatory symptoms (pain, swelling, etc) and disrupted activity
- The initial sprain must have occurred at least 12 months prior to study enrolment
- The most recent injury must have occurred more than 3 months prior to study enrolment
- Reports of feeling instable or "giving way" during daily activities or physical activities and experienced at least 2 episodes in the 6 months prior to study enrolment
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Any previous fractures or surgeries on the lower limbs
- Have other muscle, joint or nerve disorders that affect the function of the lower limbs
- Chest pain at rest, dizziness during rest, heart condition, or doctor's advice not to exercise without medical supervision
- Currently enrolled in other ankle rehabilitation programmes
- Already a Tai Chi practitioner
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi training60 minutes each session, three sessions per week, lasting 4 weeks for undertaking. | Behavioural | Exercise |
Primary outcome
Ankle neuromuscular reponses
Time frame: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
This includes two tasks, one is drop-landing, the other is ankle inversion perturbation. Each side will perform each task three times. Six electromyography muscle sensors will be placed on peroneus longus, peroneus brevis and tibialis anterior muscles to record muscle activity.
4 secondary outcomes
Ankle proprioception
Time frame: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Ankle muscle strength
Time frame: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Balance performance
Time frame: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Questionnaire
Time frame: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to privacy concerns and institutional data protection policies.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Tai Chi training in people with Chronic Ankle Instability, run by Loughborough University at 1 site in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Ankle neuromuscular reponses (time frame: From the date of randomization until the completion of three assessments. This evaluation will be conducted at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment, with a maximum duration of 8 weeks.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Feb 2026.