Stretching is an important part of post ankle sprain rehabilitation, as well as an effective exercise for improving general ankle-joint performance. But the combination of stretching alongside low-frequency stimulation has not yet been extensively studied. Therefore, the purpose of the present randomized controlled trial was to compare the combined effects of low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on strength, balance, and proprioception among individuals with post ankle sprain. Sixty male subjects with lateral ankle sprain were selected and randomly allocated to three groups: group 1, group 2, and the control group (CG). Subjects in group 1 received the PNF stretching technique combined with TENS. TENS stimulation was provided using two electrodes placed 5 cm apart directly on the triceps sural muscle of the affected leg and a biphasic current with a symmetrical waveform at 50 Hz for 15 seconds, tuned for a 3-second ramp up time and a 30-second rest time with a 250-microsecond pulse duration was given with PNF stretching. Subjects in group 2 received the PNF stretching technique alone. Both group 1 and group 2 received these treatments for 4 weeks (4 days/week); follow-up assessments were administered in the third and fifth weeks. CG received no treatment; outcome measures alone were assessed. Outcome measures comprised pain, balance, flexibility, proprioception, range of motion, muscle strength, and functional limitation. A mixed-model ANOVA showed significant interaction (time and group) and the time effect for all the outcome measures (). Group 1 (PNF-TENS) showed significant improvement for all the outcome variables compared to the other groups. The present study showed PNF stretching combined with TENS for the triceps sural muscle to trigger muscle contraction during the muscle contraction phase of the PNF stretch, compared against PNF stretching alone, produced significant improvements in ankle function for post ankle sprain subjects.

中文翻译：

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低频刺激本体感觉神经肌肉促进技术对成人踝关节扭伤后平衡和本体感觉的有效性：随机对照试验


伸展运动是踝关节扭伤后康复的重​​要组成部分，也是改善踝关节整体性能的有效运动。但拉伸与低频刺激的结合尚未得到广泛研究。因此，本随机对照试验的目的是比较低频经皮神经电刺激（TENS）与本体感觉神经肌肉促进（PNF）对踝关节扭伤后个体的力量、平衡和本体感觉的综合影响。选择 60 名患有外侧踝关节扭伤的男性受试者并随机分为三组：组 1、组 2 和对照组 (CG)。第 1 组的受试者接受 PNF 拉伸技术结合 TENS。使用直接放置在受影响腿的腓肠肌三头肌上的两个相距 5 厘米的电极和 50 Hz 对称波形的双相电流提供 TENS 刺激，持续 15 秒，调整为 3 秒的斜坡上升时间和 30 秒的斜坡时间。通过 PNF 拉伸给出 250 微秒脉冲持续时间的休息时间。第 2 组的受试者单独接受 PNF 拉伸技术。第 1 组和第 2 组均接受这些治疗 4 周（4 天/周）；在第三周和第五周进行后续评估。 CG未接受任何治疗；仅评估结果指标。结果测量包括疼痛、平衡、灵活性、本体感觉、运动范围、肌肉力量和功能限制。 混合模型方差分析显示出所有结果测量的显着交互作用（时间和组）和时间效应（ ）。与其他组相比，第 1 组 (PNF-TENS) 的所有结果变量均显示出显着改善。本研究表明，与单独使用 PNF 拉伸相比，PNF 拉伸与腓肠肌三头肌 TENS 相结合可在 PNF 拉伸的肌肉收缩阶段触发肌肉收缩，从而使踝关节扭伤后受试者的踝关节功能得到显着改善。