Background: Patients with stroke generally have diminished balance and gait. Mobilization with movement (MWM) can be used with manual force applied by a therapist to enhance talus gliding movement. Furthermore, the weight-bearing position during the lunge may enhance the stretch force. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of a 4-week program of MWM training with those of static muscle stretching (SMS). Ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF-PROM), static balance ability (SBA), the Berg balance scale (BBS), and gait parameters (gait speed and cadence) were measured in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. Participants were randomized to either the MWM (n = 10) or the SMS (n = 10) group. Patients in both groups underwent standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 min per session. In addition, MWM and SMS techniques were performed three times per week for 4 weeks. Ankle DF-PROM, SBA, BBS score, and gait parameters were measured after 4 weeks of training. Results: After 4 weeks of training, the MWM group showed significant improvement in all outcome measures compared with baseline (p < 0.05). Furthermore, SBA, BBS, and cadence showed greater improvement in the MWM group compared to the SMS group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that MWM training, combined with standard rehabilitation, improved ankle DF-PROM, SBA, BBS scores, and gait speed and cadence. Thus, MWM may be an effective treatment for patients with chronic stroke.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role value, occupational balance, and quality of life among urban older adults in South Korea. We recruited 90 urban older adults in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheong-do. Assessments used (1) Role Checklist, (2) Life Balance Inventory (LBI), and (3) WHO Quality of Life Scale abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF). Our results showed that the roles that were perceived as very valuable were as family members, housekeepers, and guardians (in descending order). The roles that were perceived as less valuable were students, volunteers, and organizational members (in descending order). The activities that individuals were actively pursuing were hygiene management, rest, and healthy eating (in descending order). By contrast, the activities that were not being actively pursued were composing (music, poetry), preparing for event planning, dancing, yoga, and taekwondo. The total score of the Role Checklist and WHOQOL-BREF total (r = 0.343, p < 0.01), K-LBI total and WHOQOL-BREF total (r = 0.386, p < 0.01), and role value total and K-LBI (r = 323, p < 0.01) showed a statistically significant correlation. As a result of the regression analysis, the sub-item of work balance that affected the quality of life was managing appearance (R² = 51.7, p < 0.001). These data showed that the role of urban older adults in Korea was mainly played within the family. The level of participation was low in the areas of instrumental daily life activities, work, leisure, and social participation. We propose that this population needs to be provided with opportunities for active aging through broader professional participation.

Background: Talus-stabilizing taping (TST) may improve ankle range of motion and gait performance by providing a posterior–inferior talar glide in a closed-chain dorsiflexion position. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of TST on balance and gait parameters in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty post-stroke patients participated in this study. Each participant performed tests under three conditions (TST, barefoot, and conventional ankle-foot orthosis [AFO]), in random order. Before testing, the patients walked for 10 min under the three conditions, followed by a 5 min rest period. The outcome measures were static balance ability (SBA), timed up-and-go (TUG) test results, and gait parameters evaluated using a 6-m-long gait mat. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine the difference in balance and gait parameters under the three conditions. Results: SBA more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the barefoot condition. SBA more significantly improved in the conventional AFO condition than in the barefoot condition. The TUG test results more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the conventional AFO and barefoot conditions. Walking speed, cadence, and affected side and unaffected side step and stride lengths more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the conventional AFO and barefoot conditions. Conclusions: This study used a cross-sectional method and demonstrated that TST improves SBA, TUG, gait speed, cadence, step length, and stride length in patients with chronic stroke.

Context: Weakness of the gluteus medius and the gluteus maximus is associated with a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. However, activation of synergist muscles that are not targeted should be considered when prescribing side-lying hip abduction (SHA) exercises. Log-rolling positions may affect hip abductors activity during SHA. Objectives: To determine the effects of log-rolling positions on the gluteus medius, the gluteus maximus, and the tensor fasciae latae activity during SHA in participants with gluteus medius weakness. Design: The effects of different log-rolling positions on hip abductor activity during SHA were analyzed by one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Twenty-one participants with gluteus medius weakness were recruited. Interventions: Three types of SHA were performed: SHA in the frontal plane with a neutral position (SHA-neutral), SHA in the frontal plane with an anterior log-rolling position (SHA-anterior rolling), and SHA in the frontal plane with a posterior log-rolling position (SHA-posterior rolling). Main Outcome Measures: Surface electromyography was used to measure the hip abductor activity. One-way repeated-measure analysis of variance was used to assess the statistical significance of the muscle activity. Results: SHA-anterior rolling showed significantly greater gluteus medius and gluteus maximus activation than SHA-neutral (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively) and SHA-posterior rolling (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). SHA-neutral showed significantly greater gluteus medius and gluteus maximus activation than SHA-posterior rolling (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). SHA-anterior rolling showed significantly less tensor fasciae latae activation than SHA-neutral (P < .001) and SHA-posterior rolling (P < .001). SHA-neutral showed significantly less tensor fasciae latae activation than SHA-posterior rolling (P < .001). Conclusion: SHA-anterior rolling may be an effective exercise to increase activation of the gluteus medius and the gluteus maximus while decreasing the tensor fasciae latae in participants with gluteus medius weakness.