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Neurocognitive Ankle Training for Instability to Optimize Neuromusculoskeletal Outcomes (NATION)
Who can join
Ages 18 to 44 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Physically active and engage in regular exercise/training * 18-44 years old (accounts for 86% of the individuals deployed in recent military conflicts) * Answer "yes" to Question 1 (i.e., have you ever sprained an ankle?) on the Ankle Instability Instrument * Answer "yes" to any four of the remaining Ankle Instability Instrument questions * Score \<24 on the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool * Report at least two episodes of the ankle "giving way" in the last six months * Access to a functional email address and internet for completion of health and Service member outcomes * Ability to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to read or comprehend the English language. * An ankle sprain within the last six (≤6) weeks that resulted in altered or missed physical activity for one or more (≥1) consecutive days. * History of ankle surgery. * History of lower extremity fracture in the last year or history of fracture that required fixation. * Any peripheral neuropathies or other health conditions/current musculoskeletal injuries that may influence balance. * Pregnant females (will be eligible for participation in the study after delivery of the baby and medical clearance by a qualified and licensed healthcare provider).
About the study
The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a novel ankle rehabilitation protocol on improving clinical and health outcomes in physically active individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Our central hypothesis is NATION, a novel rehabilitation intervention that includes neurocognitive tasks, will improve overall health and function, and reduce lower extremity musculoskeletal injury in physically active individuals with CAI.
What is being tested
- Neurocognitive Ankle Training for Instablity to Optimize Neuromusculoskeletal outcomes (NATION) (other)
- Evidence-Based (other)
Sponsor: Womack Army Medical Center · Participants: 180 · Started: Oct 13, 2025
Contact the study team
- Megan H. Roach, PhD · Phone: 910-907-1042
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06527287
Locations in the U.S.
| Kentucky | University of Kentucky, Lexington |
| North Carolina | Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg |
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.