Background: Among the various rehabilitation methods for stroke patients, one method involves the use of vibration. Recently, vibration foam rollers, combining vibration with foam rolling, have been developed and are widely used. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vibration foam rolling on ankle range of motion (ROM), and gait speed in patients with stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty stroke patients volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to the vibrating foam roller group (n=15) and the non-vibrating foam roller group (n=15). Active dorsiflexion ROM, and 10-meter walk (10MW) were used to evaluate ankle ROM, and gait speed before and after each exercise. The two groups performed a 30-minute foam roller exercise program. The non-vibrating foam roller group performed the same exercise program as the vibrating foam roller group, but without vibration. Results: The within-group change in active dorsiflexion ROM after the exercise was significant for both the vibrating foam roller group and the non-vibrating foam roller group (P<.05). The within-group change in 10MW after the exercise was significant for the vibrating foam roller group (P<.05), while it was not significant for the non-vibrating foam roller group (P>.05). Additionally, there was no significant difference in active dorsiflexion ROM and 10MW between the vibrating foam roller group and the non-vibrating foam roller group (P>.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that a vibrating foam roller exercise program immediately improves ankle ROM and gait speed in stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
    Subjects
    Outcome Measurements
    Gait Speed
    Data Analysis
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
REFERENCES

• Chibok Park(Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea)
• Byeonggeun Kim(Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea)
• Jongyun Chun(Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea)
• Hyunjin Jang(Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea)
• Woonsu Cho(Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author