Immediate Effect of Anterior-to-posterior Talocrural Joint Mobilization with Elastic Taping on Balance Ability in Stroke Patients

Abstract

PURPOSE: Stroke patients have reduced balance ability due to a lack of motion in the ankle joint. Elastic taping assists movement, and joint mobilization, a form of passive movement, enhances mobility. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects on balance ability after anterior-to-posterior (A-P) talocrural joint mobilization combined with elastic taping in stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty stroke patients were divided into two groups: a joint mobilization with taping group (experimental group, n=10) and an elastic taping only group (control group, n=10). The experimental group underwent anteroposterior mobilization of the talus and elastic tape was applied to the calf and tibialis anterior muscles. The control group had elastic tape applied. Dynamic balanced abilities were assessed by using the BioRescue system. After 30 minutes of intervention, the forward, backward, left side, and right side sway areas(mm2) were measured. RESULTS: Only the experimental group showed a significant increase in forward sway area after intervention. However, no significant differences were detected between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows that A-P talocrural joint mobilization combined with elastic taping has a positive effect, producing an immediate increase in the forward balance ability of stroke patients. However, this study did not examine joint mobilization alone. In subsequent studies, it is necessary to examine the effect of joint mobilization only on balance in stroke patients.