Investigating the effect of mental fatigue on functional tests during cognitive dual task in athletes with and without chronic ankle instability.
Design
This study is a double-blind randomized, controlled pretest–posttest experimental study. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio using block randomization to either a 30-minute mental-fatigue condition or a control condition. Functional performance and cognitive-task performance will be assessed before and immediately after the experimental condition under both single-task and cognitive dual-task conditions.
Settings and conduct
The study will be conducted at the rehabilitation research center, Ahvaz, Iran. Participant recruitment will be carried out through physiotherapy centers and sports teams in Ahvaz. All experimental procedures, including the mental-fatigue/control protocols and functional performance assessments, will be performed in a controlled and standardized laboratory environment at the study center.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Age 18–45 years
A history of at least one significant lateral ankle sprain, with the initial sprain occurring at least 12 months before study enrollment.
The most recent ankle sprain occurring more than 3 months before study enrollment.
A history of recurrent episodes of ankle giving way, recurrent sprain, and/or a persistent feeling of ankle instability.
An IdFAI score >11.
Intervention groups
Participants will first be stratified according to ankle status, and within each stratum they will be randomly allocated by block randomization to the mental-fatigue or control condition. The mental-fatigue groups will perform a 30-minute incongruent visual Stroop task, whereas the control groups will watch a non-emotional documentary for the same duration.
Main outcome variables
the modified Star Excursion Balance Test, Side-Hop Test, and Figure-of-8 Hop Test.
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260727070388N2
Registration date:2026-09-12, 1405/06/21
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-09-12, 1405/06/21
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-09-12, 1405/06/21
Registrant information
Name
Nahid Pirayeh
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 61 3554 3611
Email address
pirayeh-n@ajums.ac.ir
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-09-23, 1405/07/01
Expected recruitment end date
2026-11-21, 1405/08/30
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Investigating the effects of mental fatigue on functional tests during a cognitive dual task in athletes with and without chronic ankle instability
Public title
Investigating the effects of mental fatigue on functional tests during a cognitive dual task in athletes with and without chronic ankle instability
Purpose
Health service research
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
A history of at least one significant lateral ankle sprain, with the initial sprain occurring at least 12 months before study enrollment.
The most recent ankle sprain occurring more than 3 months before study enrollment.
Regular participation in sports activities.
A history of recurrent episodes of ankle giving way, recurrent sprain, and/or a persistent feeling of ankle instability.
An IdFAI score >11.
Ability to understand the study instructions and complete the cognitive and functional performance tests.
Ability to read and write Persian.
Age 18–45 years
Exclusion criteria:
Age
From 18 years old to 45 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Participant
Outcome assessor
Sample size
Target sample size:
60
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Not randomized
Randomization description
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Double blinded
Blinding description
The outcome assessor responsible for functional performance testing will be blinded to participants' experimental allocation. The data analyst will also be blinded to group identity during the primary statistical analysis by using coded group labels.
Thus, blinding will be maintained for the outcome assessor and data analyst, while participants will be blinded to the study hypothesis and the expected direction of the effects.
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics committee of Ahvaz university of Medical Sciences
Street address
Ahvaz, Golestan, Esfand Street, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, University Research and Technology Center
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
61357-15794
Approval date
2024-11-23, 1403/09/03
Ethics committee reference number
IR.AJUMS.REC.1403.448
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
chronic ankle instability
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
the modified Star Excursion Balance Test, Side-Hop Test, and Figure-of-8 Hop Test
Timepoint
before and immediately after the assigned condition (mental fatigue or control)
Method of measurement
dual task cost for distance of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test, time of Side-Hop Test, and time of Figure-of-8 Hop Test
Secondary outcomes
1
Description
Cognitive task performance
Timepoint
before and immediately after the assigned condition (mental fatigue or control)
Method of measurement
Calculate the number of correct answers/total number of answers *100
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: The mental-fatigue groups will perform a 30-minute incongruent visual Stroop task
Category
Rehabilitation
2
Description
Control group: The control group will watch a non-emotional documentary for 30-minute.
Category
Rehabilitation
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
rehabilitation Research Center
Full name of responsible person
nahid pirayeh
Street address
Ahvaz, Golestan Blvd, Esfand Street, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, School of Rehabilitation
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
61357-15794
Phone
+98 61 3374 3101
Email
nahid_pt8287@yahoo.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Abdullah Rafiei
Street address
Ahvaz, golestan bulvar, esfand Street, Ahvaz university of Medical Sciences
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
61357-15794
Phone
+98 61 3374 3101
Email
rafiei-a@ajums.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
nahid pirayeh
Position
Associate professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiotherapy
Street address
Ahvaz, golestan bulvar, esfand Street, Ahvaz university of Medical Sciences, School of Rehabilitaion
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
61357-15794
Phone
+98 61 3374 3101
Email
nahid_pt8287@yahoo.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
nahid pirayeh
Position
Associate professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiotherapy
Street address
Ahvaz, golestan bulvar, esfand Street, Ahvaz university of Medical Sciences, School of Rehabilitaion
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
61357-15794
Phone
+98 61 3374 3101
Email
nahid_pt8287@yahoo.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
nahid pirayeh
Position
associate professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiotherapy
Street address
Ahvaz, golestan bulvar, esfand Street, Ahvaz university of Medical Sciences, School of Rehabilitaion
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
61357-15794
Phone
+98 61 3374 3101
Email
nahid_pt8287@yahoo.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
Most data is shareable.
When the data will become available and for how long
Access period begins after results are published.
To whom data/document is available
the data will be available to physiotherapists.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
researchers and physiotherapists
From where data/document is obtainable
Applicants can contact the following email for more information: nahid_pt8287@yahoo.com
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
after authentication and if approved by the people participating in the study, the individual can receive the information.