Effects of Voodoo Flossing on Ankle Range of Motion, Balance, Gait Ability in Participants with Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion
Effects of Voodoo Flossing on Ankle Range of Motion, Balance, Gait Ability in Participants with Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion
In the case of normal walking patterns, the angle of plantarflexion (PF) at heel contact should be 0 to 5 degrees, the angle of dorsiflexion (DF) in the terminal stance should be 10 degrees, and the angle of PF should be 15-20 degrees when the heel off. A therapist can apply a voodoo flossing to enhance range of motion (ROM), pain control, jumping performance, strength, myofascial release, and recovery from fatigue. This study compared the immediate effects of voodoo flossing application on ankle ROM, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Outcome measures were ankle ROM, weight bearing lunge test (WBLT) performance, static balance (one leg test), dynamic balance(Y-balance test) and gait ability. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and immediately after applying the voodoo flossing.
The voodoo flossing intervention used the standard voodoo flossing, wrapping a voodoo flossing (lime green Sanctband Comprefloss™, 2" × 3.5 m; PENTEL, Shah Alam, Malaysia) made of natural rubber tightly around the ankle on the affected side. It was started at the fifth metatarsal and wrapped horizontally around the metatarsals twice, in a figure eight to the medial malleolus, over the Achilles tendon and the lateral malleolus three times, and around the medial malleolus again, before being passed twice from the medial mal-leolus over the Achilles tendon to the lateral malleolus, forming an end knot. The participants were instructed to perform low-intensity active exercise involving ankle DF and plantar flexion for 2 minutes after applying the floss band. Then, the floss band was removed and the patient was asked to walk lightly on level ground for about 1 minute to allow reperfusion to normalize blood flow.
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