ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of fascial manipulation (FM) treatment in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI).MethodsThe clinical data of CAI patients who received rehabilitation treatment in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of the Second Hospital of Jilin University from October 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. According to different treatment methods, patients were divided into balance training (BT) group and FM group. The BT group received BT for 4 weeks, while the FM group received BT for 4 weeks after FM treatment. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used for 1∶1 matching to compare the effects of different treatment options on the dysfunction of CAI patients. Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) [including FAAM-activity of daily living (FAAM-ADL), activity of daily living (ADL) self-scoring, FAAM-sports (FAAM-S), and sports self-scoring], center of pressure (COP), foot lift test (FLT) were used to evaluate the changes in balance function and symptoms pre-treatment and post-treatment.ResultsA total of 52 patients were included, including 24 cases in FM group and 28 cases in BT group. Finally, after PSM method, 34 patients were included, 17 cases in each group. Before intervention, there was no significant difference in FAAM, COP and FLT between the two groups (P>0.05). After the intervention, FAAM-ADL, ADL self score, COP and FLT in the FM group were better than those in the BT group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between FAAM-S and exercise self score (P>0.05). Before and after the intervention, FAAM, COP and FLT were improved in both groups (P<0.05). The improvement of FAAM ADL, ADL self-score and the decrease of COP in FM group were higher than that of the BT group (P<0.05). Comparison of FAAM-S, exercise self score and FLT before and after intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionBT can improve the function of patients with CAI, and the combination of FM is more effective in improving the ability of daily living and static balance.