Telehealth rehabilitation for ankle sprains

Physical Rehabilitation Through Telehealth for an Ankle Sprain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · University of Kentucky · NCT04520854

This study tests whether getting physical rehab for ankle sprains through telehealth is better for pain relief and recovery than regular in-person care.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages15 Years to 35 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Kentucky (other)
Locations1 site (Lexington, Kentucky)
Trial IDNCT04520854 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to improve access to physical rehabilitation for patients with ankle sprains by delivering care through telehealth. It compares a 2-week telehealth intervention to usual care, focusing on subjective function, physical impairments, medication consumption, and patient feedback. The hypothesis is that participants receiving telehealth will experience less pain and disability, improved balance and ankle range of motion, reduced medication use, and overall positive feedback compared to those receiving standard care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are men and women aged 15-35 who have been discharged from an emergency department with a grade 1 or 2 acute lateral ankle sprain and have not been referred for physical therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with a recent ankle sprain occurring within six months prior to enrollment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide timely and effective rehabilitation for ankle sprain patients, reducing pain and improving recovery outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using telehealth for rehabilitation, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All race and ethnic groups
* Men and women between 15-35 years of age
* Discharged from an ED within 72 hours of being diagnosed with a grade 1 or 2 acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS) and not receiving a physical therapy referral from their treating physician will be enrolled. A LAS will be defined as an incident in which the rearfoot was inverted and resulted in a combination of pain, swelling and time lost from activity for at least one day.
* Participants with or without a prior history of an ankle sprain will be included unless the most recent injury occurred within six months prior to enrollment. Participants with a prior history of ankle sprain will only be included if the most recent injury occurred beyond six months prior to enrollment: 1) to ensure they recovered and returned to their normal activity; 2) to ensure they are experiencing acute rather than chronic symptoms; 3) to ensure they are all exposed to similar treatment options.All race and ethnic groups will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with a concomitant injury (e.g., fracture)
* History of lower extremity surgery, or conditions other than an ankle sprain that affect balance and gait
* Do not speak English.

Where this trial is running

Lexington, Kentucky

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Ankle Sprains, Telerehabilitation, Analgesic, Opioid, Analgesics, Non-narcotic, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Implementation Science, Acute Pain, Quality of Life

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.