The effects of posterior talar glide with dorsiflexion of the ankle on mobility, muscle strength and balance in stroke patients: a randomised controlled trial

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of posterior talar glide (PTG) with dorsiflexion of the ankle on stroke patients ankle mobility, muscle strength, and balance ability. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-four subjects were randomly assigned to either a PTG with dorsiflexion group (PTG; n=17), or a weight-bearing with placebo PTG group (control; n=17). Subjects in the PTG group performed PTG with dorsiflexion, designed to improve ankle mobility, muscle strength and balance ability with proprioceptive control of the ankle, for 10 glides of 5 sets/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. [Results] The experimental group showed significant improvement on the Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion assessment, Ankle Dorsiflexor Manual Muscle Test, Functional Reach Test, Time Up and Go test, and Functional Gait Assessment compared to the control group. However, regarding Ankle Plantarflexion Range of Motion assessment and the Ankle Plantarflexor Manual Muscle Test, no significant differences were found between the two groups. [Conclusion] The results of this study show that PTG with dorsiflexion can improve ankle mobility, muscle strength and balance ability in patients recovering from stroke. This exercise may prove useful in clinical rehabilitation. Further research on the long-term effectiveness of PTG on gait ability is suggested.