Effects of capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy integrated with active rehabilitation on pain, sensorimotor function, and functional performance in subacute lateral ankle sprain: A randomized controlled trial

Background Evidence on capacitive-resistive electric transfer (TECAR) applied concurrently with exercise in subacute lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is limited. Objective To evaluate the short-term effects of adding concurrent TECAR to exercise in subacute LAS. Methods Forty-two participants (20–40 years) with grade I-II LAS (10–21 days post-injury) were randomly allocated to exercise plus concurrent TECAR (EG; n = 21) or exercise alone (CG; n = 21). Both groups completed identical 20-min supervised sessions twice weekly for six weeks; TECAR did not extend session duration. Co-primary outcomes were pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale; NPRS) and Y-Balance Test (YBT) composite score ( α = 0.025). Secondary outcomes were joint position error (JPE) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Results All 42 randomized participants were analyzed; both groups improved on all outcomes ( p < 0.001). Versus exercise alone, TECAR was associated with greater improvements in pain (MD = 1.60, 95% CI 0.84–2.36, p < 0.001; below the 2-point minimal clinically important difference [MCID]), YBT composite (MD = 5.29%, 95% CI 1.44–9.14, p = 0.009), JPE (MD = 2.58°, 95% CI 2.03–3.13, p < 0.001), FAAM-ADL (MD = 10.39, 95% CI 7.72–13.06, p < 0.001), and FAAM-Sports (MD = 13.24, 95% CI 8.50–17.98, p < 0.001). Directional YBT differences did not survive multiplicity correction. Conclusion Adding TECAR was associated with greater short-term improvements in pain, sensorimotor performance, proprioception, and function in subacute LAS. However, the additional pain reduction was below the MCID. Without a sham control, findings reflect clinical effectiveness rather than modality-specific efficacy.