Individualized transcranial direct current stimulation combined with foot core exercise improves foot and ankle sensorimotor function and static postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

The sample size was small (31 participants), which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The study only included active college students, so results may not apply to older adults or those with more severe comorbidities. The lack of improvement in some primary outcomes (inversion/eversion strength, dynamic balance) suggests the intervention's effects are specific to certain sensorimotor domains. Individualized tDCS requires MRI scanning, which is expensive and not routinely available in clinical practice, limiting immediate clinical implementation. The study did not include a follow-up period to assess the long-term retention of gains.

The study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the 'Outstanding Young Scholar' Program of Shanghai Municipal. No other conflicts of interest were declared.

Do not conclude that this combined intervention improves all aspects of ankle instability. It failed to improve inversion/eversion strength or dynamic balance (Y-balance), which are critical for many functional activities. The benefits were limited to plantarflexion strength, eversion position sense, and eyes-closed static balance.