Predicting the success of multimodal rehabilitation in chronic ankle instability based on patient-reported outcomes

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify potential indicators to predict the success of multimodal rehabilitation in chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients based on patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: Sixty patients with self-reported CAI participated. Their demographic information, injury history, and symptoms were recorded. Physical examinations and dynamic posture control tests were performed. The participants underwent sixteen 30-min treatment sessions of multimodal rehabilitation over 8 weeks. Fifty-one patients (85.0%) were available for follow-up after 8 weeks of the intervention. Treatment success was defined based on the participants’ perceived recovery using the global rating of change (GRC). Potential predictor variables were entered into a stepwise logistic regression model to identify variables for the prediction of treatment success. RESULTS: Forty of 51 participants (78.4%) were considered to have a successful outcome. Of the variables assessed, time since last sprain ≤ 8 months was a predictor of treatment success (p < 0.05). If a patient met the criteria, there was an 88.03% probability of successful multimodal rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: A time since the last sprain ≤ 8 months may predict successful patient-reported outcomes after multimodal rehabilitation in CAI patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective study, Level 2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05676-0.