• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the activity of the shoulder flexor and extensor when hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with shoulder joint flexion. Methods: The subjects of this study were 15 healthy women. With the shoulder joint flexion at $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$, hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied for the same submaximal resistance to measure the activities of the deltoid muscle anterior fiber, deltoid muscle posterior fiber, pectoralis major fiber, and latissimus dorsi muscle with surface electromyography. An independent t-test was conducted in order to compare activities of each muscle according to the two techniques. Results: When the hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with the shoulder joint flexion at $0^{\circ}$, the activities of the shoulder flexor and extensor were not significantly different, but the activity of the flexor was higher when the contraction-relax technique was applied than when the hold-relax technique was applied. When the hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with the shoulder joint flexed at $90^{\circ}$, the activities of the shoulder flexor and extensor were not significantly different, but the activity of the extensor was relatively higher than when the flexor was at $0^{\circ}$ Conclusion: When the hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with the shoulder joint flexion at $0^{\circ}$, the activities of the shoulder flexor and extensor were not significantly different, but the activity of the flexor was higher when the contraction-relax technique was applied than when the hold-relax technique was applied. When the hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with the shoulder joint flexed at $90^{\circ}$, the activities of the shoulder flexor and extensor were not significantly different, but the activity of the extensor was relatively higher than when the flexor was at $0^{\circ}$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.433-441
• /
• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of three PNF stretching techniques for improving hamstring flexibility and to compare the effectiveness of three PNF stretching techniques(direct and indirect and mix(direct&indirect) of hold-relax technique). METHODS: The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups: group1-direct-hold-relax technique(n=10); group2-indirect-hold-relax technique(n=8); group3-mix(direct&indirect)-hold-relax technique(n=10). For each group, stretch was performed three times a week for a period of three weeks. Hamstring flexibility for each group was measured using the ASLR and PSLR. RESULTS: The results showed significant improvement in hamstring flexibility for all subjects of three groups. However, were not significantly different between the three groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, three PNF stretching techniques are confirmed to be useful for improving hamstring flexibility. The choice for a qualified technique has to be made individually according to patient and therapist.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.5-11
• /
• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique on flexibility of hamstring in people with shortened hamstring. Methods: Thirty two subjects participated in this study. The subjects were assigned to either the Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique group (n=16) or the hold-relax technique group (n=16). 90-90 straight leg raise test was performed for evaluation of hamstring shortening at initial time of study. After intervention, immediate effect (immediately after intervention) and lasted effect (60 min after intervention) were assessed. Results: In the both Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique groups, significant improvements on flexibility of hamstring was observed in immediately and 60 minute after intervention (p<.05). However, there are no significant difference was observed between groups (p>.05). Conclusion: In the results of this study, both Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique show immediately and 60 minute after evaluation effectiveness in flexibility of hamstring of people with shortened hamstring. In addition, although the difference is not statistically significant, Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique was more increased average extension angle of knee joint at 90-90 straight leg raise test than the hold-relax technique.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 1995

The purpose of this study is to evaluate pain and range of motion in the frozen shoulder and to compare Hold-Relax technique with ROM exercise. Twenty-eight frozen shoulder patients between 41 nod 76 years of age were selected and were divided equally by random distribution into a Hold-Relax technique group and a ROM exercise group. To analyze the therapeutic effect between the two groups, two measurements were taken. A measurement of pain was taken by visual analogue scale and a measurement of range of motion was taken by measuring flexion and abduction degrees with a goniometer. The results were as followings : 1. The Hold-Relax group is more effective in decreasing the pain than the ROM exercise group. 2. The Hold-Relax group is more effective in increasing the range of flexion at the shoulder than the ROM exercise group. 3. The Hold-Relax group is more effective in increasing the range of abduction at the shoulder than the ROM exercise group.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of both general hold-relax techniques and hold-relax techniques using pumping on pain due to delayed muscle pain and on the range of motion (ROM) of joints. Methods: Thirty-nine young adult males and females were randomly assigned either to a hold-relax technique application group of 20 subjects or to a group of 19 subjects with hold-relax techniques applied using a pumping application. Tenderness thresholds, the ROM of joints, and pain intensities were measured on the biceps of the nondominant arm of the subjects in both groups before exercises were performed to induce delayed muscle pain. Tenderness thresholds were again measured 24hours, 48hours, and 72 hours after inducing delayed muscle pain. The relevant intervention methods were applied to the two groups after conducting the measurement at 48hours. As a statistical analysis method, repeated measure ANOVAs were conducted to examine the tenderness thresholds, ROMs of elbow joints, and pain intensities in the individual groups at the time points. Results: At 48 hours and 72 hours after application of the interventions, the general hold-relax technique application group showed greater changes in the tenderness thresholds, the ROMs of elbow joints, and the pain intensities than did the group applying hold-relax techniques using a pumping application (p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the application of hold-relax techniques is thought to have beneficial effects on pain resulting from delayed muscle pain and on limited ROMs of joints.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.22-31
• /
• 2000

Despite research to treat delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), no effective treatment has been reported. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a hold-relax technique and cryotherapy on DOMS. Thirty-three subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: control, hold-relax technique, or hold-relax technique and cryotherapy. DOMS was induced in the non-dominant biceps muscle through repeated eccentric contractions. Resting elbow joint position, flexion and extension (universal goniometer), pain (Visual Analogue Scale; VAS), and WBC count (blood analysis) were measured one hour before DOMS was induced and 24, 48, and 72 hours after DOMS was induced. The data were analyzed by repeated measure of two-way ANOVA. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1) While analysis showed no significant differences between groups in relation to a resting elbow joint position, there were significant differences over time, especially at 24, 48 hours after DOMS was induced compared with resting elbow joint position before DOMS was induced. 2) While analysis showed no significant differences between groups in relation to range of flexion, there were significant differences between range of flexion before DOMS was induced and range of flexion 72 hours after DOMS was induced. 3) There were no significant differences between groups or over time in relation to range of extension. 4) While analysis showed no significant differences between groups in relation to VAS, there were significant differences over time in different hours. 5) There were no significant differences between groups or over time in relation to WBC count. 6) There were no interactions between groups or over time in all variables. This results suggested that hold-relax technique and cryotherapy were not effective to reduce DOMS.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2006

Purpose : To identify the effects of Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome. Methods : The present research investigated 30 patients with neck myofascial syndrome, dividing them into a group doing Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. This study examined degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck myofascial pain syndrome before and after the treatment, and compared to find difference in the degree of recovery from myofascial pain syndrome. Results : The results are as follows. For the Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF), the visual analogue scale(VAS) decreased significantly for six weeks treatment, and the range of motion(ROM) of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). Conlusion : This study suggest that Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation have an effect on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of nerve mobilization, static stretching, and hold-relax on the flexibility of hamstring muscles and their surface electromyographic (EMG) responses to passive stretches in poststroke hemiparesis. This study was a randomized cross-over trial. Fourteen subjects received three treatment sessions in random order with each consisting of ten repetitions. The treatment sessions included nerve mobilization, static stretching, and hold-relax. The treatment sessions were held at least 24 hours apart to minimize any carryover effect. The outcome was measured by the distance between the greater trochanter and lateral malleolus and hamstring EMG activity during passive knee extension stretching. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant changes in hamstring flexibility and EMG activity in main effect of time pre, post and followup (p<.05). However, no significant differences occurred among the three stretching techniques. No technique was consistently found to be superior. The three stretching techniques in this study make it difficult to determine the most effective technique. Therefore, clinicians use nerve mobilization of effective stretching techniques with other stretching techniques.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.59-65
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review articles in order to establish optimal contraction intensity and duration in the performance of relaxation techniques for maximal increase in range of motion. Methods: The Cochrane, EBSCO, Embase, Medline, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were used to search articles from 1990 to January 2016. The search terms were "contract relax," "hold relax," "muscle energy technique (MET)," and "proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching." Only experimental human studies (randomized controlled trials) that compared the effects of varying intensity and duration of isometric contraction were included. Non-English language and unpublished studies were excluded. Results: A total of 2,156 articles were initially identified, with only five eventually meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three studies compared the effects of varying intensity in isometric contraction and two studies compared the effects of varying duration in isometric contraction with regard to range of motion (ROM). Two articles suggested that submaximal voluntary isometric contraction was more effective than maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in the improvement of ROM. One article showed that a longer contraction time led to greater increases in ROM. Conclusion: Submaximal voluntary isometric contraction was recommended during contract-relax exercises in healthy people. Lack of evidence makes it difficult to suggest the optimal duration of isometric contraction during relaxation techniques. For future research, high-quality evidence will be needed to establish the optimal contraction intensity for maximum improvement of ROM.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.90-97
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study investigated the effects of combining both mobilization and hold-relax (HR) technique on the function of post-surgical patients with shoulder adhesive capsulitis. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Forty-five surgical patients with shoulder adhesive capsulitis participated in this study and were randomly divided into three groups; both mobilization with movement (MWM) and HR technique (HR-MWM) group (n=15), the MWM group (n=15), and control group (n=15). All participants received three different interventions; 1) MWM combined with HR technique in PNF stretching on the shoulder, 2) MWM on the shoulder, 3) general physical therapy and intervention with neither MWM or HR stretching. Pre- and post-intervention, each subject was randomly evaluated for shoulder flexion range of motion (ROM), shoulder flexor muscle strength, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Korean version of the Shoulder Pain And Disability Index (SPADI). Results: The MWM combined with HR technique group had significant effects on shoulder flexion ROM, shoulder flexor muscle strength, VAS and SPADI compared to the MWM and control group (p<0.05). The MWM group showed a significantly greater increase in shoulder flexion ROM compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that combining both the MWM and HR technique on the shoulder may more effectively improve shoulder function than MWM alone or without MWM&HR technique. Therefore, combining both the MWM and HR technique is a suggested intervention for increasing function due to shoulder adhesive capsulitis after surgery.