Introduction: Recurrent sprains can cause chronic ankle instability that lead in to mechanical and/or functional instability. Symptoms typical for chronic ankle instability occur in 70% of the active population, who had their ankle sprained at least once. Injury affects range of motion, motion and position sence of the joint, causes pain and dysfunction, and if not treated correctly joint degenerating. Purpose: To overview and compare the effectiveness of different joint mobilization techniques when threating patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods: Search for studies was performed in databases MEDLINE, MEDLINE in Process, Embase, AMED, PsycINFO, CLINAHL, PEDro, PUBmed, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, Sportdiscus and Cochrane Library. Finally, six studies were included which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Overviewed studies compared effectiveness of joint mobilization techniques described by Maitland and Mulligan with no intervention, some also compared weight bearing and non-weight beating joint mobilization techniques. Participants included in the studies all suffered from chronic ankle instability or recurrent sprains. Effectiveness of joint mobilization was measured with changes in range of motion, dynamic and static balance, pain and self-reported instability. Discussion and conclusion: Literature overview shows that manual techniques of joint mobilization as described by Maitland and Mulligan have immediate, short term and long term benefits on passive and active range of motion of dorsiflexion, static balance and self-reported instability. It is not possible to confirm benefits on dynamic balance, pain, autonomous and somatic nervous system. Overview shows that Mulligan weight bearing joint mobilization gives best results.
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