Four-week training involving self-ankle mobilization with movement versus calf muscle stretching in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled study. Issue 4 (18th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Donghwan; Cynn, Heon-Seock; Yi, Chunghwi; Choi, Woochol Joseph; Shim, Jae-Hun; Oh, Duck-Won
• Is Part Of: Topics in stroke rehabilitation. Volume 27:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 296
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2020-05-18
• Subjects: Stroke -- self-mobilization with movement -- range of motion -- gait -- fall risk; Cerebrovascular disease -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Cerebrovascular disease -- Periodicals; 616.810305
• DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2019.1690831
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1074-9357

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 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.