Comparison of the effect of sensorimotor stimulation and the Spiraldynamik® method on the function and disability of the ankle joint after distortions: a comparative prospective randomized clinical study

Aim. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of sensorimotor stimulation and the Spiraldynamik® method on ankle function and disability after distortions. Materials and methods. Sixty patients (47 men and 13 women) from the Žilina Region (Slovakia), with a mean age of 27, were randomly assigned to two groups of 30: one group practiced sensorimotor stimulation (SMS) exercises, while the other followed the Spiraldynamik® method. At baseline, the level of ankle joint disability was assessed using the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) questionnaire. Ankle function was evaluated using the Karlsson and Peterson scale. A follow-up assessment was conducted after 10 weeks of treatment. Results. In both groups, after 10 weeks of treatment, outcomes significantly improved (p < 0.05), except for the disability assessment in the Spiraldynamik® group, which did not show significant improvement. No statistically significant difference was found between the SMS and Spiraldynamik® methods (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Both therapeutic methods are equally effective in improving ankle joint function after distortions. However, the SMS method also showed a significant benefit in reducing ankle joint disability, which was not observed in the Spiraldynamik® group.