Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2-11-2026

Comments

Presented at the 2026 Scholarly Inquiry (SI) Research Project Symposium.

Abstract

Introduction: Ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in adolescents and athletes. Although many patients recover quickly, a substantial number experience poor healing, leading to chronic ankle instability, weakness, and reinjury. While structured rehabilitation improves outcomes, inconsistent protocols and difficulty performing resistance-based exercises limit effectiveness. This project addresses the need for a standardized and accessible rehabilitation approach for ankle sprain recovery.

Methods: We designed a novel rehabilitation device that reimagines traditional resistance band therapy by standardizing resistance vectors and enabling controlled progressive overload. The design supports reproducible ankle movements targeting strength, range of motion, and proprioception. Iterative design principles were applied to optimize usability, portability, and suitability for unsupervised use. The device was conceptually evaluated against existing rehabilitation strategies to assess its ability to reduce protocol variability and improve adherence.

Results: The proposed device standardizes resistance application across common ankle rehabilitation movements while allowing incremental increases in load. Anticipated outcomes include improved consistency of exercise performance, greater ease of use compared to conventional resistance bands, and improved patient adherence. The design is intended to support rehabilitation for patients who do not seek formal medical care.

Discussion/Conclusions: This project presents a standardized rehabilitation tool aimed at improving ankle sprain recovery. By reducing variability in resistance-based exercises and facilitating progressive overload, the design has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce reinjury risk. Limitations include the need for clinical validation and real-world adherence data. Future work will evaluate optimal strengthening protocols and the potential to reduce reliance on in-person physical therapy.

Language

English

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