Evidence mapPaperPMID 42036489Full record

Trial reportScientific reports2026

Effects of Tai Chi training on lower-limb coordination pattern and variability during walking in patients with functional ankle instability: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Yaping Li, Yongyi Xu, Guangtao Kang, Xinya Lan, Zhonghua Lin, Cai Jiang

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yaping LiRehabilitation Medicine Center, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
Yongyi XuShengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
Guangtao KangCollege of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 350001, Fuzhou, China.
Xinya LanRehabilitation Medicine Center, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
Zhonghua LinRehabilitation Medicine Center, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
Cai JiangRehabilitation Medicine Center, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China. jiangcai88@fzu.edu.cn.

Funding

Joint Funds for the Innovation of Science and Technology of Fujian Province 2024Y9078National Natural Science Foundation of China 81904271the 2022 General Project Plan of Fujian Medical University's Qihang Fund 2022QH1328the Fujian Provincial Health Science and Technology Program 2024QNA009
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Functional ankle Instability (FAI) is a common sequela of ankle sprains, characterized by recurrent "giving way" sensation and functional deficits associated with impaired lower-limb proprioception, neuromuscular control, and postural control. While Tai Chi, a traditional mind-body exercise, has been shown to positively affect balance ability and self-reported instability in patients with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI), but its influence on lower-limb coordination patterns remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi intervention on the clinical outcomes and lower-limb gait coordination patterns in patients with FAI. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted, recruiting 28 FAI patients who were randomly divided into a Tai Chi intervention group and a health education control group. The Tai Chi group underwent 12 weeks of simplified 24-form Tai Chi training. Primary outcomes included lower-limb joint coordination patterns and coordination variability during walking, quantified using the Vector Coding technique via three-dimensional motion analysis system. Secondary outcomes included the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society-Ankle Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS) scores, were also assessed pre- and post-intervention. Post-intervention, both groups showed improvements in CAIT and AOFAS-AHS scores, however the Tai Chi group exhibited significantly higher CAIT and AOFAS-AHS scores compared to the education group (P < 0.01). Regarding gait coordination patterns, the Tai Chi group showed a significant reduction in Hip-Ankle Pro-phase in the transversal plane and Knee-Ankle Dis-phase in the coronal plane (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in other coordination patterns. No significant between-group differences were observed in coordination variability. A 12-week Tai Chi intervention effectively improves subjective ankle stability and function outcomes in FAI patients. Furthermore, Tai Chi may enhance motor function in patients with FAI by suppressing maladaptive proximal compensatory strategies and improving distal joint dynamic control. These findings provide biomechanical evidence supporting the use of Tai Chi as a rehabilitation strategy for FAI.

Indexed as

Ankle JointJoint InstabilityLower ExtremityTai JiWalkingAdultFemaleGaitHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsSingle-Blind MethodTreatment OutcomeCoordination patternCoordination variabilityFunctional ankle instabilityTai ChiVector coding

Identifiers

PMID42036489
PMCPMC13358091

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.