Four-week training involving self-ankle mobilization with movement versus calf muscle stretching in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled study

Background: In self-ankle mobilization with movement (S-MWM) therapy, a strap can be utilized to stabilize the posterior glide of the talus during ankle dorsiflexion movements.Objectives: Our objective was to compare the effects of 4-week self-mobilization with movement (S-MWM) with those of calf muscle stretching (CMS) on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF-PROM), gait parameters, and fall risk in patients with chronic stroke with limited ankle dorsiflexion.Methods: Participants were randomized into the S-MWM (n = 19) and CMS groups (n = 19). Both groups received conventional physiotherapy for 30 minutes per session. In addition, S-MWM and CMS techniques were performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks and were performed by the participants themselves. Ankle DF-PROM, gait parameters, and fall risk were measured after 4 weeks of training.Results: After 4 weeks of training, both groups showed significant improvement in all outcome measures (p < .05). Furthermore, ankle DF-PROM, gait parameters (gait speed, cadence, and stride lengths on both sides), and fall risk showed greater improvement in the S-MWM group than in the CMS group (p < .05).Conclusions: This study shows that S-MWM training combined with conventional physiotherapy improved ankle DF-PROM, gait parameters, and fall risk in patients with chronic stroke.

Effects of a 4-Week Self-Ankle Mobilization with Movement Intervention on Ankle Passive Range of Motion, Balance, Gait, and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Study

GOAL

To compare the effects of a 4-week self-ankle mobilization with movement training program with those of self-ankle mobilization with movement with a 10° inclined board in patients with chronic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized controlled assessor-blind trial was conducted. The patients were randomized into 2 arms. Subjects were 28 chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia. Both arms attended standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. In addition, self-ankle mobilization with movement and self-ankle mobilization with movement with a 10° inclined board trainings were performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, static balance ability, Berg balance scale, gait parameters (walking speed, cadence, and step length), and activities of daily living were used to assess changes in motor function after training.

FINDINGS

After 4 weeks of training, all dependent variables were significantly improved in both arms as compared with their baseline values. Furthermore, relative to the self-ankle mobilization with movement arm, the self-ankle mobilization with movement with a 10° inclined board arm demonstrated significantly improved ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, static balance ability, gait speed, cadence, and affected-side step length.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the hypothesis that self-ankle mobilization with movement with a 10° inclined board combined with standard rehabilitation was superior to self-ankle mobilization with movement combined with standard rehabilitation with respect to the improvement in motor function in the patients with chronic stroke.