Virtual reality-based balance training for motor function recovery after anterior talofibular ligament repair: a randomised controlled trial protocol
4 affiliations
- 1Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- 2School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- 3Northwest Women and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- 4Department of Sports Medicine and Pediatric Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
Abstract
Introduction: Ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries. Approximately 40% of patients with anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) rupture develop chronic ankle instability, characterised by persistent balance dysfunction. Although virtual reality-based balance training has shown beneficial effects in non-surgical populations with chronic ankle instability, its efficacy in patients after ATFL repair remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effects of virtual reality-based balance training on motor function recovery in patients after ATFL repair.
Methods and analysis: This study is a prospective, single-centre, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomised controlled trial. Sixty-eight patients after unilateral ATFL repair will be randomly assigned (1:1) to an experimental group (virtual reality-based balance training plus conventional rehabilitation) or a control group (conventional balance training plus conventional rehabilitation). Both groups will receive a 4 week intervention, three times per week, consisting of 30 min of conventional ankle rehabilitation plus 30 min of balance training. The primary outcome is the change in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score. Secondary outcomes include ankle joint position sense, isokinetic muscle strength, static balance, dynamic balance and safety. Assessments are performed at baseline, postintervention (4 weeks after baseline) and follow-up (8 weeks after baseline). Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis using linear mixed-effects models. Protocol version: 1.0, 3 November 2025.
Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University (approval no. 2026 Lun Shen 043, protocol version: 1.0, 3 November 2025). The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Regardless of the results, the findings will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national and international academic conferences.
Trial registration number: ChiCTR2600125841.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026virtual,
title = {{Virtual reality-based balance training for motor function recovery after anterior talofibular ligament repair: a randomised controlled trial protocol}},
author = {Bin Wang and Qiaojun Zhang and Peng Li and Haifeng Yuan and Yumeng Xu and Ben Ma and Xiaohui Lei and Kai Wan and Lei Lu and Jing Yang and Siduo Zhang and Guanglin Yan and Peijia Fu and Jianlong Ni and Hongfei Qiao},
journal = {BMJ Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123547},
url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123547},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Virtual reality-based balance training for motor function recovery after anterior talofibular ligament repair: a randomised controlled trial protocol
AU - Bin Wang
AU - Qiaojun Zhang
AU - Peng Li
AU - Haifeng Yuan
AU - Yumeng Xu
AU - Ben Ma
AU - Xiaohui Lei
AU - Kai Wan
AU - Lei Lu
AU - Jing Yang
AU - Siduo Zhang
AU - Guanglin Yan
AU - Peijia Fu
AU - Jianlong Ni
AU - Hongfei Qiao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - BMJ Open
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123547
UR - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123547
AB - Introduction: Ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries. Approximately 40% of patients with anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) rupture develop chronic ankle instability, characterised by persistent balance dysfunction. Although virtual reality-based balance training has shown beneficial effects in non-surgical populations with chronic ankle instability, its efficacy in patients after ATFL repair remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effects of virtual reality-based balance training on motor function recovery in patients after ATFL repair. Methods and analysis: This study is a prospective, single-centre, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomised controlled trial. Sixty-eight patients after unilateral ATFL repair will be randomly assigned (1:1) to an experimental group (virtual reality-based balance training plus conventional rehabilitation) or a control group (conventional balance training plus conventional rehabilitation). Both groups will receive a 4 week intervention, three times per week, consisting of 30 min of conventional ankle rehabilitation plus 30 min of balance training. The primary outcome is the change in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score. Secondary outcomes include ankle joint position sense, isokinetic muscle strength, static balance, dynamic balance and safety. Assessments are performed at baseline, postintervention (4 weeks after baseline) and follow-up (8 weeks after baseline). Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis using linear mixed-effects models. Protocol version: 1.0, 3 November 2025. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University (approval no. 2026 Lun Shen 043, protocol version: 1.0, 3 November 2025). The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Regardless of the results, the findings will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national and international academic conferences. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2600125841.
SN - 2044-6055
SN - 2044-6055
ER -