***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: To comprehend the results of a r and omised controlled trial ( RCT ) , readers must underst and its design , conduct , analysis , and interpretation . That goal can be achieved only through total transparency from authors . Despite several decades of educational efforts , the reporting of RCTs needs improvement . Investigators and editors developed the original CONSORT ( Consoli date d St and ards of Reporting Trials ) statement to help authors improve reporting by use of a checklist and flow diagram . The revised CONSORT statement presented here incorporates new evidence and addresses some criticisms of the original statement . The checklist items pertain to the content of the Title , Abstract , Introduction , Methods , Results , and Discussion . The revised checklist includes 22 items selected because empirical evidence indicates that not reporting this information is associated with biased estimates of treatment effect , or because the information is essential to judge the reliability or relevance of the findings . We intended the flow diagram to depict the passage of participants through an RCT . The revised flow diagram depicts information from four stages of a trial ( enrolment , intervention allocation , follow- up , and analysis ) . The diagram explicitly shows the number of participants , for each intervention group , included in the primary data analysis . Inclusion of these numbers allows the reader to judge whether the authors have done an intention- to-treat analysis . In sum , the CONSORT statement is intended to improve the reporting of an RCT , enabling readers to underst and a trial 's conduct and to assess the validity of its results Functional outcome , stability at radiographic investigation and ankle joint torque after anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments were evaluated in patients with early postoperative mobilization versus those with cast immobilization . Thirty patients with chronic lateral ligament instability of the ankle underwent anatomical reconstruction of the ligaments .  Postoperatively the patients were r and omly allocated to two groups : Group A ( n=15 ) were immobilized in a below-knee plaster for 6 weeks and Group B ( n=15 ) underwent early controlled range of motion training using an Air-Cast ankle brace . The functional results were evaluated using a scoring scale and objective results using st and ardized stress radiographs . Also eccentric and concentric muscle torque at 60 degrees/s was measured in plantar flexion and dorsiflexion , respectively . The functional results were satisfactory in 12/15 ankles in Group A and 14/15 in Group B ( n.s . ) . All the patients with satisfactory results regained normal range of motion . Patients with unsatisfactory results had either residual pain or recurrent instability . In Group B , the strength measurements revealed significantly higher peak torque values after three months in plantar flexion at 60 degrees/s . Six months postoperatively , the torque values did not differ significantly between the groups . Also , there was no group difference in the laxity of the ankle joint , including both anterior talar translation test and talar tilt test , at the two-year follow-up . One patient had a superficial wound infection . We conclude that after the reconstruction of chronic lateral ligament instability of the ankle the functional and stability results were equally good with early postoperative mobilization and 6-week immobilization . However , using early mobilization plantar flexion strength was regained earlier than with cast immobilization , without any risk of short- or medium-term complications , such as increased ankle laxity . We recommend early mobilization after anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments To study the efficacy of an injury prevention program in a r and omized trial , 12 teams ( 180 players ) in a male senior soccer division were followed up for 6 months . The 12 teams were allocated at r and om to two groups of six teams , one being given a prophylactic program and the other serving as control . The program was based on previous studies of injury mechanisms . It comprised ( 1 ) correction of training , ( 2 ) provision of optimum equipment ; ( 3 ) prophylactic ankle taping ; ( 4 ) controlled rehabilitation ; ( 5 ) exclusion of players with grave knee instability ; ( 6 ) information about the impor tance of disciplined play and the increased risk of injury at training camps ; and ( 7 ) correction and supervision by doctor(s ) and physiotherapist(s ) . The injuries in the test teams were 75 % fewer than in the controls . The most common types of soccer injuries , sprains and strains to ankles and knees , were all significantly reduced . It is concluded that the pro posed prophylactic program , including close supervi sion and correction by doctors and physiotherapists , significantly reduces soccer injuries STUDY DESIGN Within-group repeated measures . OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of a semi-rigid prophylactic ankle stabilizer ( PAS ) on performance of subjects with post-acute , unilateral ankle sprains who have mechanically stable ankles , but are functionally impaired . BACKGROUND Most studies on PAS performance to date are limited to subjects with noninjured , nonimpaired ankles . No research has been reported to determine the effect PASs have on performance in subjects who have a mechanically stable , nonacute ankle sprain with functional impairment . METHODS AND MEASURES Twenty-five subjects ( 8 men and 17 women ; average height = 168.91 + /- 33.02 cm , average weight = 61.10 + /- 29.5 kg , and average age = 16.2 + /- 6 years ) met the qualification criteria of the study . Subjects had unilateral grade I or II lateral ankle sprains of 3 to 4 weeks duration and were cleared medically to return to activities of daily living . Each subject 's injured ankle was mechanically stable as determined by physical exam but was functionally impaired as determined by instability during the modified Rhomberg test . Separate 2 x 2 ANOVAs with repeated measures on brace condition ( Aircast SportStirrup and nonbraced control ) and test session ( test session 1 and test session 2 ) were completed to assess the effect of ankle stabilization on 2 dependent variables ( 36.58-m shuttle-run and vertical-jump ) . RESULTS Shuttle-run time was significantly faster for the braced condition ( mean = 9.43 + /- .72 seconds ) than for the nonbraced control ( mean = 9.57 + /- .75 seconds ) , regardless of test session . Shuttle-run time was significantly faster for test session 2 ( mean = 9.43 + /- .79 seconds ) than for test session 1 ( mean = 9.57 + /- .68 seconds ) , regardless of brace condition . No significant main or interaction effects occurred for vertical-jump . CONCLUSIONS Use of a semi-rigid PAS significantly increased shuttle-run but not vertical-jump performance . This effect was immediate and did not require PAS acclimation A bi-directional bicycle pedal that combines proprioceptive training and evertor strengthening has been developed for the treatment of residual instability after ankle sprains . A prospect i ve r and omized study was carried out on 19 subjects with recurrent ankle sprains and positive stress X-ray films . The subjects were r and omized to use either a bi-directional test pedal or a traditional uni-directional bicycle pedal and then completed a 6-week high-intensity training program on a cycle ergometer . Assessment of training intensity level was based on maximum oxygen uptake values , heart rate and lactate concentration in blood at various submaximal workloads . After completion of the training program , the subjects who had used the test pedal increased peak eversion torque at 180 degrees degrees s-1 by 14.2 % ( P = 0.020 ) , reduced figure-of-eight running time by 0.24 s ( P = 0.003 ) , improved single leg stance speed from 72.5 % to the maximum speed of 80 % ( P = 0.005 ) , and improved Karlsson functional score by 5.1 points ( P = 0.005 ) . In the control group , single leg stance improved from 56.1 to 67.8 % ( P = 0.018 ) , but otherwise no significant effects were found . This study indicates that short-term high-intensity training with a bi-directional pedal improves ankle performance and may be an option in the treatment of recurrent ankle sprains Early range of motion training after ligament reconstruction of the ankle ligaments for chronic ankle joint instability was evaluated . Forty patients were operated on with anatomic reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments , i.e. shortening , imbrication and reinsertion . The patients were r and omized postoperatively between two groups : ( 1 ) immobilization for 6 weeks in a plaster cast and ( 2 ) early range of motion training , in a Walker-Boot . Both groups underwent an identical rehabilitation program . with peroneal strengthening and co-ordination training after 6 weeks . The functional results were evaluated using a scoring scale and the mechanical stability with st and ardized stress radiographs . The minimum follow-up was 2 years . The functional results were satisfactory in 16 ( 80 % ) of the patients in group I , and 19 ( 95 % ) in group II . The mean values of anterior talar translation and talar tilt were not significantly different between the groups preoperatively nor at follow-up . The mean time period for sick leave was significantly shorter for group II , 6.5±1.6 weeks compared with 8.5±1.8 weeks for group I. The mean time period for return to sports activity was significantly shorter for group II , 9.5±2.2 weeks , compared with 12.5±2.6 weeks for group I. Early range of motion training is recommended after ligament reconstruction of the ankle , as it will enable earlier return to sports activities , shorter sick leave and preserved mechanical stability Objectives : To examine the effect of six weeks of strength and proprioception training on eversion to inversion isokinetic strength ratios ( E/I ratios ) in subjects with unilateral functional ankle instability . Methods : Thirty eight subjects were r and omly assigned to one of four treatment groups : strength training ( S ) ; proprioception training ( P ) ; strength + proprioception training ( B ) ; control ( C ) . Isokinetic strength was tested before and after training using a Kin Com 125 automatic positioning isokinetic dynamometer . Subtalar joint eversion and inversion motions  were tested both concentrically and eccentrically through a range of motion involving 40 ° . All peak torque and average torque values were normalised for body mass . E/I ratios were calculated from average torque and peak torque measures by taking the concentric eversion value and combining it with the eccentric inversion value . Data were analysed using a mixed model analysis of variance with repeated measures on the test factor . Average torque and peak torque E/I ratios at 30 and 120 ° /s were analysed separately . Results : There were no significant differences in average torque and peak torque E/I ratios of the functionally unstable ankle for any of the groups after training compared with before . Conclusions : Six weeks of strength and proprioception training ( either alone or combined ) had no effect on isokinetic measures of strength in subjects with self reported unilateral functional instability . Further studies examining this agonist ( concentric ) to antagonist ( eccentric ) muscle group strength ratio are needed A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a semi rigid ankle orthosis ( Sport-Stirrup ) on the incidence of ankle sprains  in soccer players during 1 playing season . Senior soccer players were divided into 2 groups : play ers with previous ankle sprains ( N = 258 ) and players without such history ( N = 246 ) . The players in these groups were each r and omly allocated to either a semi rigid orthosis or a control group at the start of the playing season . All subsequent injuries during the season and the total number of playing hours were documented . There was a significant reduction in the incidence of ankle sprains ( injuries/1 000 playing hours ) by ankles in the orthosis group with previous sprains ( 0.14 ) com pared with the nonbraced group with previous sprains ( 0.86 ) . The incidence of ankle sprains was significantly higher in the nonbraced group with previous sprains ( 0.86 ) compared with the nonbraced group without pre vious sprains ( 0.46 ) . Thus , in this study , a semirigid or thosis significantly reduced the incidence of recurrent ankle sprains in soccer players with previous history of ankle sprains Exercises to improve joint proprioception and coordination of the functionally unstable ankle are advocated throughout the literature , yet there is little evidence that these exercise have any effect on proprioception and balance . The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 6-week coordination and balance training program on proprioception of subjects with functional ankle instability . Forty-five subjects ( age = 22.53 + /- 3.95 years , height = 172.04 + /- 10.0 cm , weight = 71.72 + /- 15.7 kg ) were r and omly placed into a control ( Group 1 ) , sham ( Group 2 ) , or experimental ( Group 3 ) group . The experimental group trained 3 days per week , 10 minutes each day , performing various balance and proprioception exercises .  Postural sway and active and passive joint position sense were assessed . Analysis of variance for postural sway modified equilibrium score for anterior and posterior sway , as well as medial and lateral sway revealed significant four-way interactions . Tukey post hoc analyses revealed that Group 3 performed significantly better ( p < .05 ) than Group 1 and Group 2 on the posttests . There were no significant differences for joint position sense or postural sway index . Results suggest that balance and coordination training can improve some measures of postural sway . It is still unclear if joint position sense can be improved in the functionally unstable ankle The present study investigated the effects of two different surgical procedures for the treatment of chronic ankle instability . Ten patients treated with an  anatomic reconstruction using a periosteal f 
    Output:
    
In view of the low quality methodology of almost all the studies , this review does not provide sufficient evidence to support any specific surgical or conservative intervention for chronic ankle instability .
However , after surgical reconstruction , early functional rehabilitation was shown to be superior to six weeks immobilisation regarding time to return to work and sports