Fifteen studies were included (525 patients). These consisted of 13 RCTs and two CCTs. Sample size ranged from 19 to 71 patients.
Study quality: Quality scores ranged from 2 to 7 out of 9 points. Three studies scored at least 50% and were classified as high quality; these studies all involved patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Common areas of methodological weakness included allocation concealment, compliance and intention-to-treat analysis.
Rehabilitation after ankle injury (12 studies): Nine studies included patients with chronic ankle instability. Proprioceptive and neuromuscular training interventions were associated with a significant reduction in giving way episodes (one of one study), recurrent sprains (three of four studies) and ankle joint functionality (two of two studies). There was no difference between proprioceptive and neuromuscular training and control for muscle strength (two studies), electromyographic measures (two studies) and oedema (one study). Conflicting results were reported for postural control (nine studies), ankle joint position sense (three studies) and muscle reaction time (two studies).
Rehabilitation after knee injuries (three studies): Studies were of patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury. Patients who received conservative treatment proprioceptive and neuromuscular training interventions were associated with positive effects on knee joint functionality (two studies), knee giving way episodes (one study), jumping performance (one study) and muscle reaction time to sudden perturbation (one study). There were mixed effects on daily living and sports activity (one study) and no difference between proprioceptive and neuromuscular training and control in knee laxity (one study) or muscle strength (one study).
For patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, there was no significant effect of proprioceptive and neuromuscular training interventions on knee joint functionality, knee range of motion or jumping performance (one study).