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About : AimThe Sports, Health & Wellness Insights journal is a bi-annual, peer-reviewed, national e-journal. Journal is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship in sports therapy, rehabilitation, health sciences, and wellness. Its mission is to foster dialogue between researchers, practitio Read more

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Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in managing patients with Ankle Sprain and Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review

  • Anu Bansal* Anu Bansal Corresponding author Assistant Professor Amity Institute of Health Allied Sciences, Amity University, Noida , U.P., India ,  
  • Pooja Sharma Pooja Sharma Assistant Professor Department of Hospital Management & Hospice Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi India
Received: August 12, 2025
Accepted: September 02, 2025
Published: December 24, 2025
Volume: 1 (2) | Page: 1-9

Abstract

One of the common injury affecting general population as well as the sportsperson is the Ankle sprains which further results in chronic ankle instability. Various physiotherapeutic interventions have been shown to be effective in managing these patients. NMES, an electrical modality is being used to manage this condition but there is scarcity of literature on its beneficial effects and optimal dosimetry required in managing these patients.

To evaluate the efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in managing patients with ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability.

A systematic search of three databases PubMed, Cochrane Library and Science Direct was conducted to identify the effects of NMES on pain, swelling, balance, physical function, muscle morphology and functional recovery among ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability patients.

Pain and swelling reduction were noted in ankle sprain patients but no significant improvement in physical function and functional recovery was observed. In chronic ankle instability patients motor control, balance and muscle morphology were found to be improved with the use of NMES but with long duration protocols.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation may prove to be beneficial in managing symptoms of patients with ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability such as pain, swelling, balance and physical function, if applied for duration for longer duration or as an additional treatment.

Keywords: ankle sprain, chronic ankle instability, neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

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