Recruiting

Mobilization With Movement

Sponsor:

University of South Carolina

Code:

NCT05844072

Conditions

Ankle Joint Contracture

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Mobilization with movement

Study Details

Brief summary:

Limited ankle range of motion is associated with increased risk for ankle sprains, knee joint dysfunction and injury to the ACL. Therefore, it is important that researchers and clinicians understand the best treatment options to increase ankle range of motion for injury prevention. We are recruiting adults with limited ankle range of motion who are lacking current ankle injuries for a treatment investigation. All study procedures will occur on the campus of the University of South Carolina by a licensed Physical Therapist and experienced researcher.

Conditions

Ankle Joint Contracture

Study ID

NCT05844072

Start date

May, 2023

Status verified date

Apr, 2023

Completion date

Nov, 2023

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Nov, 2023

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • The sole inclusion criterion will be a limitation in active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion to less than 20 degrees in weight bearing in one or both ankles.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Exclusion criteria include self identified feelings of ankle instability or known diagnosis of chronic ankle instability, dermatologic conditions such as open wounds or impaired sensation which inhibit the ability to use the mobilization strap, and inability to get into the testing position or perform a lunge during the intervention.

Study Design

Enrollment

20 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Non randomized

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

active comparator: Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion with inclinometer in standing

The Standing Ankle Dorsiflexion Screen (SADS) will be used as a categorical outcome measure which is a more functional way to measure ankle dorsiflexion and does not require the use of additional equipment. The participant will be instructed to stand in tandem stance, one foot directly in front of the other, and bend both knees as far as they can while keeping their heel in contact with the ground. The examiner will then use a ruler to align the posterior knee with the medial malleolus and determine the position of behind, within, or in front of the malleolus.

active comparator: Weight bearing lunge test

The Weight Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) will be used to measure closed chain dorsiflexion in participants. A bubble inclinometer will be placed 15 cm below the tibial tuberosity for measurement during the WBLT. Participants will place their foot on a line on the floor which is perpendicular to the wall to help maintain alignment. The participant's heel will be stabilized by an examiner, and they will then be instructed to lunge forward so that their knee reaches a vertical line on the wall. The measurement will then be taken using the inclinometer placed at 15 cm below the tibial tuberosity. The examiner stabilizing the heel will hold the inclinometer in place, while another examiner ensures proper placement of the inclinometer and takes the reading. The WBLT will be completed twice and the average of the two measurements will be taken.

Interventions

Mobilization with movement

All participants will receive the MWM intervention with weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measured prior to the intervention, immediately following the intervention, and 24 hours (+/- 3 hours) following the intervention. The participant will first place their foot on a 16-inch box to assist in performance of the intervention by the therapist. A licensed physical therapist (PT) will then stabilize the talus for a proper joint mobilization to be performed. The therapist will then mobilize the distal tib/fib in the posterior to anterior direction at end range DF reached through a forward lunge, using a Mulligan's mobilization belt around the distal tibia-fibula. The participant will perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions of the forward lunge and the PT will perform a bout of overpressure at end range during each repetition. Two other investigators will be on either side of participant to assist with balance during the intervention if needed.

Primary outcome measure

  • Dorsiflexion range of motion [ Time Frame: Immediately after the intervention ]
  • Weight bearing lunge test [ Time Frame: Immediatley after intervention ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Cathy F Arnot, DPT

8032402455arnot@mailbox.sc.edu

Locations

Blatt Physical education Building

Recruiting

Columbia, South Carolina, United States, 29208

Contacts

Cathy F Arnot, DPT

803-240-2455arnot@mailbox.sc.edu

More Information

Sponsor

University of South Carolina

Last update posted

May 6, 2023

Last verified

Apr, 2023

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of South Carolina on 2023-05-06.