Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: Lateral ankle sprain is a common injury that may persist leading to chronic ankle instability (CAI). In those patients, assessment of postural control is essential for proper clinical decision-making and treatment selection. Available objective methods are limited by their availability and costs, thus, there is a need for alternative valid and reliable methods such as wearable sensors embedded in smartphones. Purpose: To assess the concurrent validity and reliability of a smartphone application in assessing balance in patients with CAI. Methods: Sixty-five participants were enrolled in this study. Balance was simultaneously measured by smartphone "MyAnkle" application and the Biodex balance system. Patient was instructed to perform a single leg stance protocol on the Biodex system at three levels: 4 (hard), 6 (moderate), and 8 (easy). The testing was done at two conditions: opened eyes and closed eyes. Both limbs were tested at a random order. All data were collected by an assessor who was blinded to participants{u2019} grouping (unilateral CAI, bilateral CAI and healthy volunteers) and limb condition. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between the overall score of smartphone and that of Biodex balance system in both limbs in all tested conditions in all study groups (p<0.05). This was also true for reliability between the two successive sessions in both limbs with opened and closed eyes at almost all the tested levels of difficulty (p<0.05). Conclusion: Smartphone is valid and reliable alternative method for balance assessment in patients with CAI and healthy adults

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