Effects of Talocrural Joint Mobilization With Movement in Spastic Cerebral Palsy Patients

Cerebral palsy is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving abnormalities in muscle tone and motor function due to damaged cerebral tissue in development. It is a nonprogressive upper motor neuron lesion characterized by abnormal tone, posture, balance and movement and clinically classified based on the predominant motor syndrome. In spastic CP, there is significant weakness that contributes to abnormal posture and movement. This is also accompanied by decreased muscle endurance and loss of selective motor control (SMC). Spastic diplegia is a very common form of CP, with a wide range of ambulatory outcomes, and is most frequently accompanied by ankle spasticity. Abnormalities, such as excessive plantar flexion of the ankle, leads to individuals with CP have in both static and dynamic balance.

Joint mobilization has not only the mechanical effect of disrupting the contracture by direct movement of the joint area, but also stimulates mechanoreceptor activation when stretching occurs in the capsule and ankle ligaments.

The Mulligan Mobilization with movement (MWM) is a physical therapy technique that combines joint mobilization techniques with active movement. It aims to improve joint range of motion, reduce stiffness, and enhance functional mobility, is expected to produce an instantaneous improvement in the patient's abilities by simultaneous applying of pain-free accessory glides.

This study will contribute in describing long lasting effects of Mobilization With Movement, with multiple assessments, on ankle range of motion, balance, and gait speed, and to check whether the amount of regaining is similar between patients undergoing MWM with conventional therapy and those with conventional therapy alone