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

Kluding PM, Santos M. Effects of ankle joint mobilizations in adults poststroke: a pilot study.ObjectiveTo 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.DesignRandomized trial.SettingAcademic medical center.ParticipantsA convenience sample of 16 subjects with hemiparesis after stroke (mean age, 55.2y; mean time since stroke, 21.4mo).InterventionSubjects received 8 sessions over 4 weeks of either functional task practice combined with ankle joint mobilizations, or functional task practice only.Main Outcome MeasuresChanges 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionsThe increase in ankle motion did not improve joint kinematics and may have prevented improvement in weight-bearing symmetry.