ITALIAN VERSION OF THE CUMBERLAND ANKLE INSTABILITY TOOL (CAIT-I)

A. Contri^1,2, F. Ballardin², G. De Marco², M. Gaucci², A. Scariato², V. Zanoni², C. Vanti², P. Pillastrini^2,3

¹University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, Reggio Emilia, Italy, ²Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Bologna, Italy, ³IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, Unità Operativa di Medicina del Lavoro, Bologna, Italy

Background: Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries and can lead to chronic ankle instability. The International Ankle Consortium recommends the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) as a valid and reliable self-report questionnaire. As of now, there is no Italian version of CAIT.
CAIT-I will help clinicians assessing the presence and severity of chronic ankle instability.

Purpose: Translating, culturally adapting, and validating the Italian version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT-I).

Methods: This observational study used a CAIT-I questionnaire developed by an expert committee. It examined test-retest reliability of the CAIT-I in 286 healthy and injured participants within a 4-9 day period, using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC_2,1). In a sample of 548 adults, construct validity, exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency and sensitiv­ity were examined. In a subgroup of 37 participants, instrument responsiveness to change over 4 time points were determined.

Results: The CAIT-I demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC≥0.92) and good internal consistency (α = .84). Construct validity was confirmed. Identified cut-off was 24.75 (sn 0.77, sp 0.65).
There were significant differences across time for CAIT-I scores (P<.001), demonstrating responsiveness to change, but no floor or ceiling effects.

Conclusions: The CAIT-I demonstrates accept­able psychometric performance as an outcome and screening measure. The CAIT-I is a useful tool to assess the presence and severity of chronic functional ankle instability.

Implications: CAIT-I implementation in clinical settings will improve injury prevention, timely triage, and intervention in athletes and general population, optimizing their recovery, performance, and well-being. Its use is recommended in research practice and to help clinicians assessing the presence and severity of chronic functional ankle instability. It will also open research eras worldwide by comparing and sharing the results.

Funding acknowledgements: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Keywords:
Chronic Ankle Instability
Psychometric properties
CAIT

Topics:
Musculoskeletal: lower limb
Research methodology, knowledge translation & implementation science
Sport & sports injuries

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Università di Bologna

Committee: Comitato di bioetica Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna

Ethics number: Prot. n. 0273062