Background: Various sensory stimulations, including massage, might increase somatosensation and improve motor abilities of patients after stroke. The purpose of the study was to establish short-term effects of manual foot and ankle massage on balance and gait speed in stroke patients. Methods: 20 patients after stroke and 20 healthy subjects participated in the study. Patients and healthy subjects performed one-leg stance test on firm and compliant surface with eyes opened and closed, for two consecutive days. Additionally, patients performed 10-meter walk test with comfortable and fast speed. The assessment was performed before and after the massage of the randomly selected leg. The other leg was massaged the next day. For comparison of data before and after massage, a paired samples t-test was used. Results: After the massage the average one-leg stance test performance of patients improved in most test conditions on the massaged and the unmassaged foot; which was statistically significant only in healthy subjects. After the massage of the affected leg, the increase of fast walking speed was statistically significant. Conclusion: We might recommend the use of therapeutic massage of the impaired foot in stroke patients, as it affects the improvement of fast gait. To confirm the mechanisms and effects of foot massage further research is needed.
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