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These articles provide evidence for the effectiveness of posterior talar glide mobilization in improving ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, balance and improved function in both healthy individuals and those with ankle instability, or those other complications causing impaired ankle control i.e stroke.

Hertel, J. (2002). investigated the effect of ankle mobilization on dorsiflexion range of motion and posterior talar glide in healthy individuals. The results showed that ankle mobilization led to a significant increase in dorsiflexion range of motion and posterior talar glide.

The article "Initial Changes in Posterior Talar Glide and Dorsiflexion of the Ankle After Mobilization With Movement in Individuals With Recurrent Ankle Sprain" by Bill Vicenzino, Michelle Branjerdporn, Pam Teys, and Kate Jordan is a double-blind randomized crossover experimental study. The objective was to evaluate the initial effect of 2 mobilization with movement (MWM) treatment techniques on posterior talar glide and talocrural dorsiflexion in individuals with recurrent lateral ankle sprain. The study found that both the weight-bearing and non–weight-bearing MWM treatment techniques significantly improved posterior talar glide and weight-bearing dorsiflexion. In conclusion, this preliminary study demonstrated an initial ameliorative effect of MWM treatment techniques on posterior talar glide and dorsiflexion range of motion in individuals with recurrent lateral ankle sprain. These results suggest that this technique should be considered in rehabilitation programs following lateral ankle sprain.

The study by An CM, Jo SO (2017)
investigated the effects of talocrural mobilization with movement (MWM) on ankle strength, dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF-PROM), and weight-bearing ability on the paretic limb during standing or gait in stroke patients with limited ankle dorsiflexion. The study found that talocrural MWM has an augmented effect on ankle strength, mobility, and weight-bearing ability in chronic stroke patients with limited ankle motion when added to conventional therapy.

The study by Park D, Lee JH, Kang TW, Cynn HS (2019) aimed to compare the effects of a 4-week program of mobilization with movement (MWM) training with those of static muscle stretching (SMS) on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF-PROM), static balance ability (SBA), the Berg balance scale (BBS), and gait parameters (gait speed and cadence) in patients with chronic stroke. The study found that after 4 weeks of training, the MWM group showed significant improvement in all outcome measures compared with baseline. Furthermore, SBA, BBS, and cadence showed greater improvement in the MWM group compared to the SMS group. The study concluded that MWM training, combined with standard rehabilitation, improved ankle DF-PROM, SBA, BBS scores, and gait speed and cadence.

In a meta-analysis conducted by Ravichandran H. (2021), eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 226 stroke patients were reviewed. The analysis revealed that ankle joint mobilization led to significant improvements in passive dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), gait velocity, step length on the affected side, and cadence outcomes. The conclusion drawn from the meta-analysis suggests that ankle mobilization techniques are effective in enhancing passive dorsiflexion ROM, gait velocity, and cadence in chronic stroke survivors.

Sources

Hertel, J. (2002). The Effect of Lateral Ankle Sprain on Dorsiflexion Range of Motion, Posterior Talar Glide, and Joint Laxity. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 32(4), 166-173. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2002.32.4.166

Vicenzino, B., Branjerdporn, M., Teys, P., & Jordan, K. (2006). Initial Changes in Posterior Talar Glide and Dorsiflexion of the Ankle After Mobilization With Movement in Individuals With Recurrent Ankle Sprain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 36(7), 464-471. doi:10.2519/jospt.2006.2265

An CM, Jo SO. Effects of Talocrural Mobilization with Movement on Ankle Strength, Mobility, and Weight-Bearing Ability in Hemiplegic Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2017 Jan;26(1):169-176. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2016.09.005. Epub 2016 Oct 17. PMID: 27765557.

Park D, Lee JH, Kang TW, Cynn HS. Four-week training involving ankle mobilization with movement versus static muscle stretching in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2019 Mar;26(2):81-86. doi: 10.1080/10749357.2018.1550614. Epub 2018 Nov 26. PMID: 30477417.

Ravichandran H, Janakiraman B. The Effects of Ankle Joint Mobilization on Dorsiflexion Range and Gait Parameters in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Stroke Medicine. 2021;4(1):15-24. doi:10.1177/2516608520982874