Immediate Effects of Ankle MWM and Taping on Gait and Balance in Stroke Patients

Immediate Effects of Ankle Mobilization With Movement and Mulligan Talocrural Taping on Gait and Balance in Stroke Patients

Disorders caused by stroke may lead to significant limitations, especially in ankle range of motion, and may cause impairments in walking and balance functions. This limitation in ankle range of motion leads to difficulties in weight transfer, stability, and balance. As a result, there is a decrease in walking performance and an increased risk of falls. Various interventions have been used to improve ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, including gastrosoleus muscle stretching, muscle strengthening training, functional electrical stimulation training, proprioceptive control training, taping, manual therapy, different mobilization techniques, and ankle mobilization with motion (MWM).There are limited studies investigating the immediate effects of MWM and taping on gait and balance in stroke patients. This study was planned to investigate the effect of Mulligan's ankle MWM technique and talus stabilization taping on spatiotemporal gait and balance parameters in stroke patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Having a unilateral stroke for more than three months,
2. Being able to walk 10 meters without an assistive device,
3. Being able to walk unassisted before having a stroke,
4. Having a score of 3 or lower on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS),
5. Be able to follow simple verbal instructions,
6. Being Volunteer

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Having had more than one stroke,
2. Cerebellar involvement,
3. Having severe visual impairment,
4. Having cognitive impairment,
5. Severe aphasia,
6. Apraxia,
7. Having contraindications for joint mobilization (e.g. ankle hypermobility, trauma, inflammation),
8. Have significant lower limb problems such as fractures or arthritis,
9. Having undergone musculoskeletal surgery less than 6 months ago,
10. Having joint contracture in the paretic ankle that prevents walking.