LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2020) -- Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition Assistant Research Professor, Kyle Kosik, PhD, ATC, received funding from the National Athletic Trainers Association for a recent study evaluating the necessity of immediate follow-up rehabilitative services via telehealth platforms for ankle sprain injuries. 

The study, “Physical Rehabilitation Through Telehealth for an Ankle Sprain: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” will be evaluating physically active patients ages 15 to 35 who were recently discharged from emergency department services due to ankle sprain injuries.

The inspiration for the project arose due to roughly 80% of ankle sprain injury patients receiving no immediate follow-up care after being discharged from emergency department services; leading to a high risk of re-injury.

“We’re seeing a lot of patients who are not when being referred to rehab specialists,” Kosik said, “so we're hoping to bridge that gap by providing them with early access to these virtual rehabilitative services so they don't have to take medication to manage their symptoms.”

Despite the study beginning prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has served to be a timely project that may have groundbreaking implications for patients beyond this lockdown period.

Kosik hopes that the project will prove the importance of immediate follow-up care through rehabilitative telehealth and not only relieve patients’ pain, but also restore their physical function; resulting in positive long-term outcomes.