Effects of ankle joint mobilizations in adults poststroke: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of 2 interventions on ankle mobility, ankle kinematics, and weight-bearing symmetry during functional activities in subjects with hemiparesis after a stroke.


METHODS
Randomized trial.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 16 subjects with hemiparesis after stroke (mean age, 55.2 y; mean time since stroke, 21.4 mo).


METHODS
Subjects received 8 sessions over 4 weeks of either functional task practice combined with ankle joint mobilizations, or functional task practice only.


METHODS
Changes in ankle range of motion (ROM) (not blinded), ankle kinematics during sit-to-stand (STS) and gait, and lower-extremity weight-bearing symmetry during STS and static standing.


RESULTS
The combined intervention group gained 5.7 degrees +/- 3.1 degrees in passive ankle ROM compared with 0.2 degree +/- 2.6 degrees in the functional practice only group (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5-8.6; P<.01). No significant changes in ankle kinematics or weight bearing during static standing were noted in either group. The functional practice group decreased differences in weight bearing during STS by 9.5% +/- 6.47%, whereas the combined intervention group increased this difference by 3.37% +/- 5.29% (95% CI, 3.26-19.46; P=.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in ankle motion did not improve joint kinematics and may have prevented improvement in weight-bearing symmetry.
Kluding
Patricia M
PM
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. pkluding@kumc.edu
Santos
Marcio
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011336:Probability; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing