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

Background Method Ankle sprains are frequent injuries The intervention group received, in in general practice. However, no addition to usual care, an unsupervised effective treatment is available yet. e-health-supported neuromuscular training programme and the control Aim group received usual care alone. The To examine the effectiveness of an primary outcome was self-reported unsupervised e-health-supported re-sprains during 52 weeks of follow-neuromuscular training programme up. Secondary outcomes were ankle in combination with usual care function, pain in rest and during activity, compared with usual care alone in subjective recovery, and return to the patients with acute lateral ankle same type and level of sport. sprains in general practice. Results Design and setting In total, 165 participants (mean age Randomised controlled trial with 38.3 years and 69 [41.8%] male) were 1-year follow-up among patients included. No statistically significant (14–65 years) who visited the GP with difference in the occurrence of a an acute lateral ankle sprain within re-sprain were found between the 3 weeks of injury. 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.