Effects of the Jump Step Kids Program on Functional Movement and Self-Report Outcomes in Children Aged 7–12 Years with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Chronic ankle instability (CAI) in children affects ankle and foot function, balance, and mobility, inducing recurrent injuries, physical limitations, and low quality of life. To mitigate the consequences of CAI, the Jump Step Kids (JSKs) program is a rhythmic, multi-directional jumping and play-based intervention program designed to improve rehabilitation outcomes for children with CAI. OBJECTIVE The study was to investigate the effect of the JSKs program on functional movement and self-report outcomes for the foot and ankle in children with CAI aged 7-12 years. METHODS A stratified, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 34 school-aged children (aged 9 ± 2 years) diagnosed with CAI who were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 17), which completed the JSKs program (supervised by a physiotherapist), or the control group (n = 17), which followed a self-administered home stretching program for ankle instability. Both groups participated in 30-minute sessions three times per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included heel raise test (HRT), standing long jump test (SLJT), 6-meter cross jump test (6mCHT), The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-second edition (BOT-2), and the Foot and Ankle Function Measure (FAAM) questionnaire. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 4 weeks. RESULTS After 4 weeks of involvement, the JSKs program group showed significant gains in the 6mCHT (P =.019) and the two-legged side hop test of BOT-2 (P<.001). However, FAAM-ADL and sport scores did not differ significantly across groups (P>.05). Following the intervention, statistically significant differences were observed between groups in the one-legged stationary hop test (P =.019) and the HRT (P =.005). CONCLUSIONS The findings illustrated that the JSKs program greatly improves functional movement, including muscle strength, dynamic balance, and agility. However, the JSKs program cannot alter self-report outcomes regarding functional status in individuals with CAI. The JSKs program is appropriate to apply as a supplement to standard therapy to achieve clinical physical outcomes for children with CAI. CLINICALTRIAL Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20220727002)