title: Two-week joint mobilization intervention improves self-reported function, range of motion, and dynamic balance in those with chronic ankle instability.
abstract: We examined the effect of a 2-week anterior-to-posterior ankle joint mobilization intervention on weight-bearing dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), dynamic balance, and self-reported function in subjects with chronic ankle instability (CAI). In this prospective cohort study, subjects received six Maitland Grade III anterior-to-posterior joint mobilization treatments over 2 weeks. Weight-bearing dorsiflexion ROM, the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and self-reported function on the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) were assessed 1 week before the intervention (baseline), prior to the first treatment (pre-intervention), 24-48 h following the final treatment (post-intervention), and 1 week later (1-week follow-up) in 12 adults (6 males and 6 females) with CAI. The results indicate that dorsiflexion ROM, reach distance in all directions of the SEBT, and the FAAM improved (p < 0.05 for all) in all measures following the intervention compared to those prior to the intervention. No differences were observed in any assessments between the baseline and pre-intervention measures or between the post-intervention and 1-week follow-up measures (p > 0.05). These results indicate that the joint mobilization intervention that targeted posterior talar glide was able to improve measures of function in adults with CAI for at least 1 week.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Sciences, College of Education, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA. mhoch@odu.edu
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hoch
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Andreatta
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mullineaux
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Medina McKeon
authors.forename: Carl G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mattacola
authors.forename: Patrick O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: McKeon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D057566:Self Report; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult