• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1651-1656
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in balance and proprioception of adults with limited ankle joint dorsiflexion, after the application of talocrural joint mobilization. The subjects of this study included 23 college students in their twenties with limited ankle joint dorsiflexion. The students were randomly assigned to the ankle joint mobilization group (AJMG, n=12) and the control group (CG, n=11). After 2 weeks of intervention using grade III talocrural joint mobilization in the anterior-posterior movement, the balance and proprioception of the subjects were assessed. Static/dynamic balance capabilities and ankle proprioception were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test. The dynamic balance and proprioception of AJMG were significantly improved after intervention (p<.05), In the comparison between the groups after the intervention, the dynamic balance and proprioceptive sense of AJMG were significantly improved compared to the control group (p<.05). This study suggests that AJMG can help improve the dynamic balance and proprioception.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

PURPOSE: Stroke patients have reduced balance ability due to a lack of motion in the ankle joint. Elastic taping assists movement, and joint mobilization, a form of passive movement, enhances mobility. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects on balance ability after anterior-to-posterior (A-P) talocrural joint mobilization combined with elastic taping in stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty stroke patients were divided into two groups: a joint mobilization with taping group (experimental group, n=10) and an elastic taping only group (control group, n=10). The experimental group underwent anteroposterior mobilization of the talus and elastic tape was applied to the calf and tibialis anterior muscles. The control group had elastic tape applied. Dynamic balanced abilities were assessed by using the BioRescue system. After 30 minutes of intervention, the forward, backward, left side, and right side sway areas ($mm^2$) were measured. RESULTS: Only the experimental group showed a significant increase in forward sway area after intervention. However, no significant differences were detected between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows that A-P talocrural joint mobilization combined with elastic taping has a positive effect, producing an immediate increase in the forward balance ability of stroke patients. However, this study did not examine joint mobilization alone. In subsequent studies, it is necessary to examine the effect of joint mobilization only on balance in stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2359-2364
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• 2021

Background: Patients with stroke have limited ankle range of motion (ROM) due to soft tissue abnormalities around the ankle and thus experience functional impairment. Increased muscle tension and reduced ankle ROM impair gait and hinder the activities of daily living. Joint mobilization and stretching are effective interventions that improve gait performance by enhancing the ankle ROM. Objectives: To investigate the effects of ankle joint mobilization and calf muscle stretching on gait speed and gait performance in patients with stroke. Design: This was a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty patients with stroke patients were randomized into two groups. The joint mobilization group (JMG) underwent anteroposterior mobilization of the talocrural joint and the joint mobilization stretching group (JMSG) underwent calf muscle stretching in addition to joint mobilization. Gait speed and gait parameters were measured using the 10-meter walk test and the GAITRite. Results: Both the JMG and JMSG groups showed significant improvements in gait speed, affected-side step length, and cadence after the intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: Joint mobilization and stretching were effective interventions for improving gait performance by enhancing ankle function in patients with stroke.