Objective To investigate the effect of daily soft brace wearing on plantar dynamics during walking in patients with chronic ankle instability(CAI). Methods A total of 52 patients with unilateral chronic ankle instability(CAI)in Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital from February,2021 to January,2023 were randomly divided into control group(n=26)and experimental group(n=26).Both groups underwent an eight-week exercise training program.The control group wore placebo brace dur-ing daily activities,while the experimental group wore soft ankle brace.Plantar dynamic parameters were mea-sured using a pressure plate system during walking,including peak plantar pressure and plantar impulse before and after intervention. Results Six participants dropped out in the control group and five in the experimental group,resulting in a final inclu-sion of 41 participants.After intervention,there was no significant difference in peak plantar pressure and im-pulse on the affected side in the control group among different areas(P＞0.05).In the experimental group,the peak pressure and impulse in the heel medial,heel lateral and forefoot medial areas increased(|t|＞4.192,P＜0.001),while the peak pressure and impulse in the midfoot and lateral forefoot areas decreased(t＞2.984,P＜0.05);the peak pressure and impulse in the heel medial,heel lateral and forefoot medial areas were higher in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|＞2.126,P＜0.05),and the peak pressure and impulse were low-er in the midfoot and forefoot lateral areas(t＞2.133,P＜0.05). Conclusion Wearing a soft brace during daily activities may optimize the distribution of peak plantar pressure and plan-tar impulse on the affected side in patients with CAI,which may prevent recurrence of sprains.

Objective:To document any effect of combining kinesiotaping (KT) with Monitored Rehab Systems biofeedback training (MRS training) on the recovery of knee function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).Methods:Twenty-two patients after ACLR were randomly divided into an MRS group and a combined group, each of 11. In addition to conventional rehabilitation training, the MRS group had placebo taping in place during their MRS training, while the combined group had KT applied. Each training session lasted 45 minutes, with three sessions per week. Before the experiment and after 8 weeks of treatment, the affected foot support phase, impulse of each area of the affected foot′s sole, and lower limb reaction time were measured.Results:Significant improvement in the affected foot′s support phase and lower limb reaction time was documented in both groups, as well as in the average impulse percentage of the affected foot′s plantar forefoot area (F area), mid-foot area (MF area), and heel area (H area). All were significantly better in the combined group than in the MRS group, on average.Conclusion:Supplementing MRS biofeedback training with kinesiotaping can more effectively improve the knee joint functioning and postural control of patients after ACLR surgery. The combination is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of surface sensation training on walking function of patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). MethodsFrom January to November, 2021, 56 ACLR inpatients in Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 28) and experimental group (n = 28). The control group received routine rehabilitation training of 45 minutes a time, while the experimental group received routine rehabilitation training of 30 minutes and surface sensation training of 15 minutes a time, for eight weeks. Their toe-out angle and affected side impulse percentage of plantar seven zones were measured before and after intervention. ResultsThe toe-out angle of both the healthy and the affected sides decreased in both groups after intervention (t > 4.615, P < 0.001), and it was less in the affected side in the experimental group (t = 2.263, P < 0.05). The impulse percentage in heel medial and heel lateral areas increased in both groups after intervention (t > 4.221, P < 0.001), and it was more in the experimental group (t > 3.651, P < 0.01); while the impulse percentage in middle foot, foot intermediate and foot lateral areas decreased in both groups (t > 3.174, P < 0.01), and it was less in foot intermediate and foot lateral areas in the experimental group (t > 2.366, P < 0.05); the impulse percentage decreased in foot medial and toe areas in the experimental group (t > 3.508, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between two groups (t < 1.608, P > 0.05). ConclusionSurface sensation training can further improve the foot deflection and distribution of impulse of affected side in patients after ACLR during walking, to normalize the load patterns.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on quadriceps muscle strength and walking for patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). MethodsThirty-four patients after ACLR were selected at Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital of Capital Medical University from July, 2022 to October, 2023, and randomly divided into control group (n = 17) and experimental group (n = 17). Both groups received routine rehabilitation and functional training, and the experimental group received NMES during the functional training, while the control group received sham NMES, for eight weeks. Quadriceps peak torque-to-weight ratio, single-leg support phase and plantar impulses during walking were measured before and after intervention. ResultsTwo cases in the control group and three in the experimental group dropped down. Quadriceps peak torque-to-weight ratio improved in both groups after intervention (|t| > 17.578, P < 0.001), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (t = 4.714, P < 0.001); while the affected single-leg support phase and the affected/unaffected single-leg support phase ratio improved in both groups (|t| > 16.882, P < 0.001), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 3.234, P < 0.01); and plantar impulses of all zones optimized in both groups (t > 9.221, P < 0.001), and were better in the experimental group than in the control group(|t| > 2.852, P < 0.01). ConclusionNMES may further improve quadriceps muscle strength, plantar pressure distribution during walking and single-leg support in patients after ACLR.