Effects of Ankle Joint Mobilizations in Adults Poststroke: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Kluding PM, Santos M. 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. Design Randomized trial. Setting Academic medical center. Participants A convenience sample of 16 subjects with hemiparesis after stroke (mean age, 55.2y; mean time since stroke, 21.4mo). Intervention Subjects received 8 sessions over 4 weeks of either functional task practice combined with ankle joint mobilizations, or functional task practice only. Main Outcome Measures 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°±3.1° in passive ankle ROM compared with 0.2°±2.6° 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.