Written instructions versus physiotherapist-supervised rehabilitation after acute ankle sprain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of written instructions (WIs) versus physiotherapist-supervised rehabilitation on patient-rated ankle function, satisfaction and physical activity ability after an acute ankle sprain. Thirty-nine patients with an acute ankle sprain, recruited from an emergency department, received WIs on functional rehabilitation (WI group). The patients were evaluated six weeks and three months after their injury with the disease-specific Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). The patients also rated how satisfied they were with their ankle and physical activity ability using visual analogue scales. The results from the WI group were compared with a group of patients (n = 33) who received physiotherapist-supervised rehabilitation in a previous study (PT group). We found that compared with the PT group, the WI group had significantly worse scores in all of the FAOS subscales six weeks after the injury, and in three of five subscales three months after the injury. They also rated significantly lower satisfaction and significantly lower physical activity ability at both follow-ups. In conclusion, physiotherapist-supervised rehabilitation was more effective than WIs on improving patient-rated ankle function, satisfaction and physical activity ability after an acute ankle sprain.

Keywords:

• Patient education hand out
• home-based physiotherapy treatment
• self-care
• FAOS

Acknowledgements

The authors thanks all patients who participated in the study.

Funding

The study was financially supported, compensation for working time [grant no. FUTURUM-511691] and costs associated with the project [grant no. FUTURUM-511721], by Futurum – Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping County, Sweden.