Dose-response of talus mobilizations in weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM of the older adults with limited ankle mobility: A randomized clinical trial

• Published in: International journal of osteopathic medicine Vol. 50; p. 100670
• Main Authors: Tolsada-Velasco, Catalina, Hernández-Guillén, David, Borja-de-Fuentes, Irene, Costa-Moreno, Elena, García-Gomáriz, Carmen, Blasco, José-María
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2023
• Subjects: ankle Joint; Dose-response; Older adult; Talus mobilizations; Dose-response; Talus mobilizations; Older adult; ankle Joint
• ISSN: 1746-0689; 1878-0164
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijosm.2023.100670

Although manual therapy is an effective technique for increasing ankle range of motion, the dose-response required is unclear. To find out what number of sessions of talus mobilizations will induce a detectable change in weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion of older adults with limited ankle mobility. Four-arm randomized clinical trial. Community-dwelling. 62 older adults; aged over 60; with ankle dorsiflexion ROM below 35°. Four groups received from one to four treatment sessions. Each session consisted of 3 mobilizations of 30 s, with of the talus in anteroposterior glide, with a rest of 30 s. Grade IV mobilizations were applied to target the accessory movement of the ankle up to the resistance offered by periarticular tissues. The Lunge test was used to measure weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion. The four groups increased their ankle mobility after one session, but two sessions were needed to overcome the established 4.7°’ threshold, regardless of group. Only those participants who received four sessions maintained the improvements for 8 weeks. Two sessions of talus mobilizations are effective in improving weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM. It will be necessary to deliver four sessions of treatment if these improvements are to be maintained for at least 8 weeks. NCT04563663.