An Ankle Proprioceptive Control Program Improves Balance,Gait Ability of Chronic Stroke Patients

[Purpose] Balance and gait ability determine to a large degree the level of independenceof daily living which is an important goal of rehabilitation. This study was conducted inorder to examine the effectiveness of an ankle proprioceptive control program on anklemuscle strength, balance, and gait of chronic stroke patients. [Methods] Thirteen chronicstroke patients more than six months post-stroke were recruited. All subjects receivedankle proprioceptive control training for 30 minutes per session, two days per week, overa period of six weeks. Outcome measures were ankle strength (BTE-Primus), the Timed Up andGo test (TUG), and spatiotemporal parameters measured by a GAITRite instrument. [Results]Significant improvements in ankle dorsiflexor strength, TUG, gait speed and cadence, steplength, and stride length were observed on the paretic side. [Conclusion] The results ofthis study provide evidence in support of incorporation of an ankle proprioceptive controlprogram for effective improvement of both balance and gait ability of chronic strokepatients. The findings of this study suggest the feasibility and suitability of an ankleproprioceptive control program for chronic stroke patients.Key words: Stroke, Proprioception, Ankle