Effects of Ankle Joint Mobilizations in Adults Poststroke: A Pilot Study
Presented in part as a poster to the Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, February 1−4, 2006, San Diego, CA, and as a platform to the Kansas Physical Therapy Association, April 1, 2006, Wichita, KS.
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.
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.
Reprint requests to Patricia M. Kluding, PT, PhD, Mailstop 3051, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160
Supported by the School of Allied Health Research Committee, University of Kansas Medical Center.
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors or upon any organization with which the authors are associated.
ABSTRACT