Table 1 Detailed search strategies

1

accuracy[Title/Abstract] OR accurate rate[Title/Abstract] OR diagnostic value[Title/Abstract]

exp diagnostic accuracy/ or exp accuracy/ or exp measurement accuracy/ or exp. diagnostic test accuracy study/

MeSH descriptor: [Sensitivity and Specificity] explode all trees

2

sensitivity and specificity[MeSH Terms]

sensitivity.mp.[mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word]

accuracy: ti, ab, kw or accurate rate: ti, ab, kw or diagnostic value: ti, ab, kw(Word variations have been searched)

3

chronic ankle instability OR functional ankle instability OR lateral ankle instability

specificity.mp.[mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word]

MeSH descriptor: [Lateral ligament, Ankle] explode all trees

4

PTFL OR CFL OR ATFL

exp ankle ligament/

PTFL OR CFL OR ATFL(Word variations have been searched)

5

talofibular[Text Word] OR calcaneofibular[Text Word] OR posterior talofibular[Text Word] OR anterior talofibular[Text Word]

ATFL.mp.[mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word]

chronic ankle instability OR functional ankle instability OR lateral ankle instability(Word variations have been searched)

6

lateral ligament, ankle[MeSH Terms]

CFL.mp.[mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word]

talofibular OR calcaneofibular OR posterior talofibular OR anterior talofibular(Word variations have been searched)

7

(1 OR 2) AND (3 OR 4 OR 5 OR 6)

PTFL.mp.[mp=title, original title, abstract, name of substance word, subject heading word]

(1 OR 2) AND (3 OR 4 OR 5 OR 6)

8

exp ankle instability/

9

(1 OR 2 OR 3) AND (4 OR 5 OR 6 OR 7 OR 8)