Background: Patients with stroke may show impaired balance due to the limited range of motion of the ankle resulting from abnormal soft tissues surrounding the ankle joint. Changes in the viscoelasticity of soft tissues and decreased mobility of the ankle impair the balance and lead to problems in the daily life of patients with stroke. Joint mobilization and stretching are effective methods of improving balance by increasing the viscoelasticity of soft tissues and range of motion of the ankle.
Objectives: To effects of ankle joint mobilization and calf muscle stretching on balance in patients with stroke.
Design: A randomized controlled trial.
Methods: A total of 20 patients with stroke were randomly assigned into two groups. The joint mobilization group (JMG) underwent anteroposterior joint mobilization of the talocrural joint, while the stretching group (SG) received calf muscle stretching. Functional reach test (FRT), berg balance scale (BBS), and timed up and go test (TUG) were used to assess balance.
Results: The FRT, BBS, and TUG results significantly improved in the JMG and SG after invention (P<.05). However, the improvements were greater in the JMG group than those in the SG group (P<.05).
Conclusion: Joint mobilization was an effective intervention to improve soft tissue performance and range of motion of the ankle, thereby improving balance in patients with stroke.

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
    Subjects
    Measurement Apparatus
    Interventions
    Interventions
RESULTS
    Changes within the groups after the interventions
    Changes between the groups after the interventions
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

• Junhyeok Go(Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungbok University)
• Hojung An(Department of Physical Therapy, Dongnam University) Correspondence