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Volume 14
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Effects of Vibro-Stimulation Ankle Bracing on Tactile Sensation and Center of Pressure Dynamics in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial

by
Hanieh Khaliliyan
1,
Mahmood Bahramizadeh
2,*,
Amirhossein Zare
1,
Majid Ansari
3,
Farhad Ghaffari
4,
Arash Sharafatvaziri
5,
Hicham Khabbache
6,
Francesco Chirico
7,
Diego Burzomati
8,
Aldo Sitibondo
8,9 and
Amelia Rizzo
8,*
1
Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 81746 73461Isfahan, Iran
2
Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, 1985713871Tehran, Iran
3
Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1461884513Tehran, Iran
4
Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 7134814336Shiraz, Iran
5
Center for Orthopedic Trans-Disciplinary Applied Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1461884513Tehran, Iran
6
Laboratory of Morocco: History, Theology and Languages, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences Fès-Saïss, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, 2522704675 Fez, Morocco
7
Health Service Department, Italian State Police, Ministry of the Interior, Multifunctional Health Center, Via Augusto Anfossi 2, 20135 Milan, Italy
8
Medical Legal Centre of Messina, National Institute of Social Welfare (INPS), 93124 Messina Italy
9
Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital “G. Martino”, 98124 Messina, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Healthcare 2026, 14(11), 1518; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111518
Submission received: 1 May 2026 / Revised: 26 May 2026 / Accepted: 28 May 2026 / Published: 29 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Motor Rehabilitation in Healthcare: Bridging Neuroscience, Technology, and Clinical Practice)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common sequela of lateral ankle sprain and is characterized by recurrent episodes of giving way, sensorimotor deficits, impaired postural control, and diminished functional performance. While exercise-based rehabilitation, including neuromuscular training and proprioceptive exercises, remains the gold standard for managing CAI, patients often require additional support during daily activities. Orthotic interventions predominantly address mechanical instability, yet there is a clinical gap in providing integrated solutions that simultaneously offer mechanical support and sensory feedback to enhance postural control. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a semi-rigid ankle brace combined with vibro-stimulation on tactile sensation and center of pressure excursion in individuals with CAI. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was designed with two parallel groups and repeated measurements over time. Thirty adults (n = 15 per group) aged 18–35 years, who met the International Ankle Consortium criteria for CAI, were recruited. Participants in the experimental group received a semi-rigid ankle brace integrated with a wearable vibro-stimulation system, whereas those in the comparison group used the ankle brace alone. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, after 10 min, and after 2 and 4 weeks. Primary outcomes included Vibration Detection Rate and phase plane portraits assessed using a 128 Hz tuning fork and a force plate. Results: The ankle bracing plus vibration band group demonstrated significantly greater improvement at 4 weeks than the orthosis group in Vibration Detection Rate (F (3,26) = 31.93, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.78). Also, the largest effect was observed for the anteroposterior phase plane portrait at 4 weeks (MD = −2.10 ± 0.42, 95% CI: −2.96 to −1.23, p < 0.001, d = −1.79). Conclusions: The findings suggest that combining a semi-rigid ankle bracing with vibro-stimulation provides additional benefits over the use of bracing alone in individuals with CAI.
Keywords: ankle instability; ankle brace; vibration; somatosensory stimulation; postural control ankle instability; ankle brace; vibration; somatosensory stimulation; postural control

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MDPI and ACS Style

Khaliliyan, H.; Bahramizadeh, M.; Zare, A.; Ansari, M.; Ghaffari, F.; Sharafatvaziri, A.; Khabbache, H.; Chirico, F.; Burzomati, D.; Sitibondo, A.; et al. Effects of Vibro-Stimulation Ankle Bracing on Tactile Sensation and Center of Pressure Dynamics in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Healthcare 2026, 14, 1518. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111518

AMA Style

Khaliliyan H, Bahramizadeh M, Zare A, Ansari M, Ghaffari F, Sharafatvaziri A, Khabbache H, Chirico F, Burzomati D, Sitibondo A, et al. Effects of Vibro-Stimulation Ankle Bracing on Tactile Sensation and Center of Pressure Dynamics in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Healthcare. 2026; 14(11):1518. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111518

Chicago/Turabian Style

Khaliliyan, Hanieh, Mahmood Bahramizadeh, Amirhossein Zare, Majid Ansari, Farhad Ghaffari, Arash Sharafatvaziri, Hicham Khabbache, Francesco Chirico, Diego Burzomati, Aldo Sitibondo, and et al. 2026. "Effects of Vibro-Stimulation Ankle Bracing on Tactile Sensation and Center of Pressure Dynamics in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial" Healthcare 14, no. 11: 1518. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111518

APA Style

Khaliliyan, H., Bahramizadeh, M., Zare, A., Ansari, M., Ghaffari, F., Sharafatvaziri, A., Khabbache, H., Chirico, F., Burzomati, D., Sitibondo, A., & Rizzo, A. (2026). Effects of Vibro-Stimulation Ankle Bracing on Tactile Sensation and Center of Pressure Dynamics in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Healthcare, 14(11), 1518. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111518

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