Immediate Effect of Ankle Mobilization on Active Range of Motion and Gait in Subacute Stroke
Immediate Effect of Ankle Mobilization on Active Range of Motion and Gait in Subacute Stroke
The goal of this observational study is to determine the effect of ankle joint mobilization on active range of motion and gait in subacute first-time stroke. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Participants will receive physical therapy interventions of:
Study design is to measure conditions before and after the intervention to determine effect(s) of one treatment dose, completed within one session of 90 minutes.
Initial passive and active ankle range of motion measured by goniometer. Initial gait quality will be measured by walking with splinting for frontal plane ankle stability if indicated, assistive device for body weight support if needed, and manual assistance from an experienced physical therapist, on a Zeno Walkway pressure-sensitive mat for five complete stride cycles, taking 3 to 5 minutes. Data collected from the mat will be electronically captured using ProtoKinetics software. Participant initial self-rated perception of ability to walk will be marked on a 0-10 scale, on paper. Treatment intervention follows. With participant lying on the back, paretic ankle moderate-force grade III anterior to posterior-directed manual joint mobilizations will be performed by therapist; three sets of fifteen oscillations. Ankle plantarflexor muscles will be stretched for 75 seconds in supported standing. Ankle dorsiflexion muscle activation training will be performed for three minutes while in a seated position. Post-intervention measurements will proceed in the same sequence as initial measurements listed above: Ankle passive and active range of motion and walking ability will be reassessed, and self-perceived ability to walk will be rated again.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: referring to paretic ankle;