ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of ankle stretching on ankle biomechanics, balance, walking ability and ability in the activities of daily living among stroke survivors.Methods:Eighteen hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into an experimental group ( n=9) and a control group ( n=9). In addition to routine medication and rehabilitation training, the experimental group received 20 minutes of ankle joint stretching daily while the control group underwent an additional twenty minutes of routine rehabilitation training. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ ankle joint stiffness (K), muscle strength, active range of motion (AROM) and passive range of motion (PROM) were evaluated. They were also assessed using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the Berg balance scale (BBS), the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results:After two weeks of treatment significant improvement was observed in the AROM and muscle strength of both groups in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The average BBS and FMA-LE scores of both groups had also improved significantly. Significant improvement in the average PROM of plantarflexion and the K of dorsiflexion, as well as in average MBI score was observed only in the treatment group. After two weeks the treatment group′s average muscle strength in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion was significantly better than the control group′s.Conclusions:Stretching can reduce ankle stiffness, improve the range of motion, muscle strength, and ability of in the activities of daily living after a stroke.