• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Purpose: This study seeks to determine the effect of a lower extremity strengthening exercise that uses proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the gait and balance ability of a stroke patient. Methods: In this case study, a lower extremity strengthening exercise that used PNF was performed by the subject for 30 minutes 4 times per week for a 4-week period alongside typical rehabilitation therapy. The lower extremity pattern used flexion-abduction-internal rotation with knee flexion, extension-abduction-internal rotation, bilateral leg extension pattern. The 10 m walk test and 6 minute walk test were used to assess gait ability. The Berg balance scale was used to assess balance ability. Results: After the intervention, the time for the 10 m walk test decreased by 5.72 sec, the distance for the 6 minute walk test decreased by 20 meters, and the score on the Berg balance scale improved by 7 points, which indicates the effectiveness of this therapy for stroke patients. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that a lower extremity strengthening exercise using PNF can improve the gait ability and balance ability of stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on episodes of foot drop and the ability to cross obstacles in stoke patients. Methods: The patient was a 57-year-old man with left hemiplegia. This patient displayed episodes of foot drop while walking and issues with crossing obstacles. The patient underwent therapeutic exercises and occupational therapy twice daily at a hospital five times a week. The patient was treated with PNF outside of these therapeutic sessions. Each session, which was 60 minutes in length, was conducted 3 times a week over 8 weeks. Over the course of treatment, a pre-test and post-test were completed. The patient walked for a test time of 6M. During the testing process, the patient crossed obstacles. In addition, the number of foot drop episodes was recorded. Each test was measured three times to determine the mean value. Results: After the PNF treatments, the number of foot drop episodes decreased from five to one. The 6M walking test time during which the patient crossed obstacles also decreased from 18 seconds to 10 seconds. Conclusion: The use of PNF treatments is beneficial to reduce the number of foot drop episodes while walking and to improve the ability to cross obstacles in stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2015

Purpose: The current study seeks to identify the effect of neck muscle strengthening exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the swallowing ability of patients diagnosed with dysphagia due to stroke. Methods: As a single case study, the current research conducted neck muscle strengthening exercise using PNF on the patient with dysphagia for 40 minutes, four times per week for a six-week period. At the same time, typical rehabilitation therapy for dysphagia was provided. This type of therapy included food-swallowing and the relation of the muscles surrounding the neck. The functional dysphagia scale and the penetration-aspiration scale were used to assess swallowing ability. Results: After the therapy, the functional dysphagia scale and the penetration-aspiration scale decreased by 18 points and 3 points, respectively, which proves the effectiveness of this type of therapy for dysphagia. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that neck muscle strengthening exercise using PNF reduces penetration-aspiration in patients with dysphagia, and that PNF can be clinically utilized to improve the swallowing ability of dysphagic patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2015

Purpose: The current study (case report) seeks to examine the effects of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise program on the upper extremity function and activities of daily living (ADLs) in a stroke patient. Methods: The subject was a 42 year-old woman diagnosed with right-sided hemiplegia due to stroke. Exercise therapy was provided for 50 minutes per day (5-minute warm-up, 40-minute exercise, 5-minute wrap-up) three times per week for a four-week period. The manual function test (MFT) was used to evaluate upper extremity functions. The modified Barthel index (MBI) was utilized to measure ADL. Results: After intervention using various PNF program, the MFT score increased from 23 to 26 and the MBI score increased from 62 to 66. Conclusion: After the application of the PNF program, the MFT and MBI scores increased. As compensative movement of the upper extremities declined, the movement of the upper extremities became faster and softer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.197-203
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate useful manual therapy techniques for peripheral facial nerve palsy and to propose guidelines to be applied for current manual therapy techniques. Several databases were searched to find manual therapies for facial palsy. These therapies included cervical, and temporomandibular joint chuna manual therapy, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, neuromuscular re-education, facial exercise, and mime therapy. Both cervical, and temporomandibular joint chuna manual therapy release nerve compression, helping blood circulation and nerve conduction. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation uses irradiation, bilateral activation, and eccentric facilitation to improve muscle power and symmetry. Neuromuscular re-education, as a retraining tool for facial movement patterns, enhances neuromuscular feedback. Facial exercise helps the patient continuously move and massage facial muscle themselves. Mime therapy aims to develop a conscious connection between the use of certain muscles and facial expressions. The use of facial chuna manual therapy for peripheral facial nerve palsy can stimulate the proprioceptive neuromuscular receptors in the face. Peripheral facial nerve palsy has 4 phases; progress phase, plateau phase, recovery phase, and sequelae phase. Each phase needs different treatments which include relaxation, assistance, resistance, origin-insertion extension, and nerve pathway expansion.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.470-478
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) balance exercise on the ability to balance and walk in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Following baseline measurements, patients (n=24) with hemiplegia caused by stroke were randomized into two groups: the PNF balance group (n=12) that received PNF balance exercise and the balance group (n=12) that received general balance exercise. Each group joined the intervention for 30 minutes, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Both groups performed the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, as well as the 10-meter walking test (10MWT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) for walking. The data were collected both before and after the intervention. The paired t-test was used to compare the post-intervention changes compared with pre-intervention data. An independent t-test was used to analyze the differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the 6-week intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) parameters (p<0.05). The patients in the PNF balance group showed greater improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) than those in the balance group (p<0.05). Conclusions: PNF balance exercise shows improvements in balance and walking parameters in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching on weight distribution and flexibility for trunk flexion. Method: Sixty participants who had no musculoskeletal disorders were recruited from a local university within six months of this study. The participants were randomly assigned to a PNF stretching group (N=30) and a static stretching group (N=32). For the pre-and post-measurement design, the left-right weight distribution, anterior-posterior weight distribution, and finger-to-floor distance (FFD) were measured before and after the stretching interventions. Result: The FFD results were significantly improved after the interventions, regardless of the group differentiation (p<0.05). The PNF stretching intervention significantly increased the differences between anterior and posterior weight distribution compared to the static stretching group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Both the PNF and static stretching interventions could improve flexibility for trunk flexion mobility. Although the PNF intervention improved the weight distribution in the anterior-posterior direction, further research is required to investigate the various PNF interventions on left-and-right and anterior-posterior weight distribution.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.425-432
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between foot pressure and upper arm PNF exercise conducted with elastic bands while standing. Methods: Eighteen asymptomatic patients consented to participate in the study. Foot pressure was measured in the standing position using the Gaitview system for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNF) using a right upper arm pattern. Resistance strength was varied based on the type of elastic band used (red=medium, green=heavy, and blue=extra heavy). Statistical significance of the results was evaluated using a repeated one-way ANOVA, and the Bonferroni method was used for the ad hoc test (SPSS ver. 18. for Windows). Results: A significant difference was observed in fore-foot, rear-foot, and everage pressure after upper arm PNF exercise. However, there was no significant difference according to the type of elastic band. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, an upper arm PNF exercise with and without resistance may affect foot pressure in the standing position.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.189-199
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this case report is to examine the impact of physical therapy using the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) concept for a patient with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: The patient is a 35-year-old female who has felt pain in the right shoulder for one month. The physical examination evaluated sensory integration, pain, joint integration and mobility, posture, reflex integration, range of motion, muscular strength, analysis of movement, and shoulder function. Comprehensive physical therapy was given to the patient, including stretching, mobilization, strengthening, posture correction, coordination improvement, daily activities, and sports exercises. The therapy was given 5 times a week for the first 5 weeks, then 3 times a week for the next 5 weeks. In all, the intervention lasted for 10 weeks. Results: The patient's senses, posture, and muscular strength all improved to a normal level. The degree of pain fell from 3/10 to 0/10 for activities taking place below shoulder height, and from 8/10 to 1/10 for activities above the head. Additionally, joint integration, motility, range of motion, and movements also improved. The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) for functional evaluation improved from 27.5 to 10.3. Conclusion: Physical therapy using the PNF concept is effective in improving the body structure, function, activity, and participation of patients with motor disorders of the shoulder impingement syndrome.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2013

Purpose : The aim of this study was to compare the effect of task-oriented training using the PNF(proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) and task-oriented training with chronic stroke patients. Methods : Sixteen chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly assigned to the control and experimental group( 8 experimental, 8 control). All of participants were in-patients at local hospital and had been received training appropriate to the purpose of each group program. Experimental period was carried out 30 minutes/day, five days/week, during four weeks. The experimental group trained the task-oriented training using the PNF and control group trained the task-oriented training. Fugl-meyer assessment scale and Modified Barthel Index was measured to compare the upper arm function and activities of daily living. We were measured before and after the training. Results : The results of the study were as follow: Fugl-meyer assessment scale was significantly increased both groups(p<.05), and significant between groups(p<.05). Modified Barthel index was significantly increased both groups(p<.05) and between groups(p<.05). Conclusion : PNF can be effective in improving upper arm function and ability to perform daily life of chronic stroke patients.