Digital rehab for acute ankle sprains

Study overview

Ankle sprains are common injuries, and recovery is not always complete. Many people experience repeat injuries or lingering symptoms, making effective rehabilitation important for restoring function and reducing the risk of recurrence.

This study evaluated Sword’s fully remote digital rehabilitation program for people recovering from acute ankle sprains in the context of workplace injury. Patients completed therapeutic exercise sessions independently at home using Sword’s biofeedback device, with the program adapted as needed by the clinical team.

The study included 104 patients who enrolled in the digital rehabilitation program between February and November 2020. Of those, 93 completed the program and 79 were available for 6-month follow-up. Primary outcomes included pain, daily function, and sports-related function, measured at baseline, the end of the program, and 6 months after program completion.  

Key findings

Pain decreased meaningfully over time

Patients reported significant and clinically meaningful reductions in pain from baseline to 6-month follow-up.

The study found a 49.8% reduction in pain, with a mean difference of -2.72 points on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale at 6 months.  

Daily function improved

Patients also reported meaningful gains in daily function.

Foot and Ankle Ability Measure scores for activities of daily living increased by 21.7 points from baseline to 6-month follow-up, representing a 41.1% improvement.  

Sports-related function improved substantially

Sports-related function showed the largest relative improvement.

Foot and Ankle Ability Measure sports scores increased by 37.8 points from baseline to 6-month follow-up, representing a 151.8% improvement.  

Most program completers reached full recovery

Among patients who completed the program, 83.9% attained full recovery and were discharged with no residual disability.  

Relapse was low

The Sword study page reports a 2.5% relapse rate, suggesting that improvements were sustained for most patients over time. 

Why this study matters

This study expands Sword’s clinical evidence beyond post-surgical rehabilitation into acute musculoskeletal injury.

Ankle sprains are often treated as minor injuries, but incomplete recovery and recurrence are common. This makes access to high-quality rehabilitation especially important, including for people recovering from workplace injuries who need to regain function and return to normal activity.

The findings suggest that a fully remote digital rehabilitation program can support meaningful improvements in pain, daily function, and sports-related function after acute ankle sprain. The study also showed sustained results at 6 months, with most program completers reaching full recovery and a low relapse rate.

This study should be understood as a prospective cohort study, not a randomized comparison against in-person care. Still, it provides important evidence that digitally guided rehabilitation can support recovery for acute ankle sprains while reducing reliance on in-person care delivery.

Read the full study