Immediate effect of plantar massage on foot pressure pattern in people with chronic ankle instability during walking

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of massage on the plantar pressure distribution during gait in people with chronic ankle instability. Fifteen patients with ankle instability participated in this study. Plantar pressure parameters in ten regions were measured pre- and post-massage during gait. The results showed that the peak pressure in the first metatarsal(p=0.034) and the peak force in the regions of the first metatarsal(p=0.03), the mid foot(p=0.045) and the medial heel(p=0.005) decreased significatly after the massage. The time to peak pressure(p=0.041) and peak force(p=0.017) in the mid foot increased significantly after the massage.There was no significant difference in the loading rates of all foot regions after the massage compare to before the massage.Based on the results,‌ the plantar massage as an intervention is proposed to improve the distribution of pressure and subsequently reduce the incidence of re-injury and reduce the negative effects of this type of injury.