• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.459-463
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between functional movement screen (FMS) and ankle dysfunctions in subjects with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of 20 participants with CAI. The ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), center of pressure (COP) path length, and COP velocity for ankle dysfunction were measured in all the subjects. All the subjects underwent the FMS concerned with ankle functions consisted of deep squats, hurdle steps and in-line lunges. The Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient was used to determine relationship between the ankle ROM, FADI, COP and FMS. Results: The results of the deep squat and in-line lunge exercises revealed a significant correlation with the ankle dorsiflexion ROM, FADI, COP path length, and COP velocity. The hurdle step showed no correlation with the ankle dorsiflexion ROM and FADI but a significant relationship with the COP path length and COP velocity. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that relationship deep squat and in-line lunge and it is suggested that an assessment tool using ankle dorsiflexion ROM and ankle instability would be clinically effective.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping on ankle dorsiflexion and subtalar joint pronation during walking. Methods: In total, 26 subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion were equally divided into two groups: a gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping group (13 subjects) and a gastrocnemius stretching group (13 subjects). They were assessed according to ankle dorsiflexion and subtalar joint pronation during walking before and after an intervention, which involved two types of gastrocnemius stretches performed three times a week for six weeks. Results: Ankle dorsiflexion was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05), though the gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping group showed a significantly greater improvement in ankle dorsiflexion than the gastrocnemius stretching group (p<0.05). However, subtalar joint pronation showed no difference between the two groups before and after (p>0.05), also between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping is a useful stretching exercise that improves ankle dorsiflexion during walking in subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion movement.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.257-262
• /
• 2021

Objective: Patients with stroke generally diminished ankle range of motion, which decreases balance and walking ability. This study aimed to determine the effect of ankle self-mobilization with movement (s-MWM) on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial design Methods: Twenty-four post-stroke patients participated in this study. The participants were randomized into the control (n = 12) and self-MWM groups (n = 12). Both groups attended standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. In addition, self-MWM group was performed 3 times per week for 8 weeks. All participants have measured ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index in before and after the intervention. Results: After 8 weeks of training, self-MWM group showed greater improvement in ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index than in the control group (p<0.05). Further, self-MWM group had significantly improvement in all dependent variables compared to the pre-test (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our investigation demonstrates that self-MWM is beneficial for improving functional ability. Also, self-MWM was superior to control with respect to improving ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2022

Background: This study examined the effects of adding fibular repositioning taping (FRT) to ankle mobilization with movement taping (AMT) on the ankle range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: The participants were randomized into the control (n=15) and AMT+FRT groups (n=15). The control groups applied only non-elastic taping on the affected ankle, and the AMT+FRT groups also applied non-elastic taping to the inferior tibiofibular joint. Both groups performed treadmill walking for 10 minutes. The ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference after the intervention in the dorsiflexion ROM (p<.01), balance (p<.01), and gait performance (p<.01). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion: AMT improved ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence in patients with chronic stroke, but there was no difference between the two groups. Therefore, the addition of FRT to AMT does not influence the ankle dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.238-244
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the effects of the fascial distortion model (FDM), foam rolling (FR), and self-stretching (SS) on the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). Methods: Thirty subjects who had no more than 30° of ankle dorsiflexion ROM at the weight-bearing lunge test were recruited in this study. They were divided into three groups: (FDM, FR, and SS), and underwent each intervention for five minutes. Before and after the intervention, the ankle dorsiflexion ROM in the supine (the open-) and standing (the closed-kinetic chain) of the subjects were tested. The changes in the ROM between pre- and post-intervention and among the groups were analyzed. Results: All groups showed increased ankle dorsiflexion ROM after the intervention in both positions. In the position of the open kinetic chain, the changes in the ROM between pre- and post-intervention had significant differences among the groups, and the FDM was higher than the FR and SS. In the position of the closed kinetic chain, the ROM after the interventions and the changes in the ROM had significant differences among the groups, and FDM was higher than the FR (ROM after the intervention, the change in ROM) and SS (the change in ROM). Conclusion: These findings showed that FDM had more efficiency than the FR and SS as FDM had a stronger effect on increasing ankle dorsiflexion in a short, limited time. Clinicians who have limited time to treat their patients, particularly trying to increase ankle dorsiflexion ROM, should consider the application of FDM.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.2272-2278
• /
• 2021

Background: Vibration stimulation has emerged as a treatment tool to help reduce spasticity during physical therapy. Spasticity includes problems of reduced range of motion (ROM) and stiffness. However, the benefits of vibration rolling (VR) on interventions for stroke patients are unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of VR intervention on the ankle ROM and ankle stiffness in stroke patients. Design: A randomized crossover study. Methods: Seven stroke patients completed two test sessions (one VR and one non-VR [NVR]) in a randomized order, with 48 hours of rest between each session. Participants completed intervention and its measurements on the same day. The measurements included ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ROM and stiffness of ankle muscles, including the tibialis anterior, medial, and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Results: After VR, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, lateral gastrocnemius stiffness, and medial gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (all P<.05). After NVR, only the lateral gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (P<.05). Furthermore, in the cases of changed values for ankle dorsiflexion ROM and lateral gastrocnemius stiffness were compared within groups, VR showed a more significant difference than NVR (P<.05) Conclusion: VR improved ankle ROM and muscle stiffness. Therefore, we suggest that practitioners need to consider VR as an intervention to improve dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius stiffness in stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.8-16
• /
• 2008

The range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion in older women was associated with gait abnormalities and the risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-stretching exercise on the flexibility of the plantar flexors of the ankle and the characteristics of gait in healthy elderly women. Fifteen participants were assigned randomly into an exercise (n=8) or control (n=7) group. The exercise group attended a self-stretching program approximately 30 minutes for 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The active ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gait measurements were taken prior to beginning the stretching program and 1 day after the last stretching day. Results showed that the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group after the stretching program (p<.05). However, gait parameters, including gait speed, cadence, and stride length were not significantly different between the two groups (p>.05). The results suggest that a 4-week self-stretching program is capable of provoking a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM in elderly, community-dwelling women. Additional research is needed to investigate the effect of gait-specific exercise combined with stretching exercise on gait ability.

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

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.51-62
• /
• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was conducted to investigate the effects of the ankle mobilization with movement (MWM) technique on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait in patients who underwent total knee replacement (TKR). Methods: Thirty patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (EG; n=15) and the control group (CG; n=15). For five days a week for 3 weeks, participants in the EG were treated with the ankle MWM technique and traditional total knee replacement (TKR) exercise, and those in the CG only performed traditional TKR exercises. The dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait of the patients were before and after exercise. Results: Balance system SD was used compare changes in dynamic balance. Patients in the EG group showed statistically significant differences after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in dynamic balance between the EG and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). STT-IBS was used to compare changes in velocity, step length, stride length, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Patients in the EG group showed statistically significant differences after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the velocity, step length, stride length, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM between the EC and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that applying the ankle MWM technique with traditional TKR exercises improved ankle dorsiflexion ROM, dynamic balance, and gait in patients.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.319-326
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of modified ankle movement patterns on participants' active dorsiflexion range of motion and leg muscle activity. Methods: This study recruited twenty-five participants, all of whom were healthy individuals with no abnormalities in the ankle or knee joints. The research methodology involved measuring the active dorsiflexion range of motion and muscle activity in each person's legs based on the presence or absence of toe extension while the subjects were in a comfortable, supine position. A statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0, and a paired samples t-test was employed. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: When the participants demonstrated the modified ankle movement pattern with a controlled toe grip, there was an increase in their active dorsiflexion angle. However, during the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique without a controlled toe grip, a higher level of activity was observed in the leg muscles. Conclusion: The results of this study could be used as foundational data for establishing a rehabilitation exercise program designed to enhance range of motion and muscle activation in the ankle joint.