• PNF and Movement
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.75-83
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• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise on the range of motion (ROM), pain, and functional activity of patients who received total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data regarding the use of PNF exercise among patients with musculoskeletal disease. Methods: Fourteen patients who received TKA were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=7) that took part in PNF exercise and a control group (n=7) that performed general rehabilitation exercise. Both groups performed the respective exercises for 30 minutes, five times a week for 2 weeks. For the measurement of ROM, the range of knee flexion was measured using a clinometer smartphone application. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for the measurement of the level of pain. The timed up and go test (TUG) was conducted to measure functional activity. A paired t-test was performed to compare within-group changes before and after the PNF exercise. Differences between the experimental group and control group were analyzed by an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: After the exercise, there was a significant within-group change in VAS and TUG scores in the experimental group and control group (p<0.01). There was also a significant between-group difference in VAS and TUG scores after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: General rehabilitation exercise is commonly applied as a treatment for TKA patients and is relatively effective. The application of PNF exercise may be useful in such patients, considering its effects on ROM improvement, pain reduction, and functional enhancement.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제13권3호
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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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• 제16권1호
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• pp.143-150
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of opposite lower extremity lateral muscle activation by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise targeting the lower extremities. Methods: Nineteen patients with chronic hemiplegia volunteered to participate in this study. PNF flexion, abduction, and internal rotation patterns; initial, end range, and extension patterns; abduction and internal rotation patterns; and initial and end range patterns were applied to the dominant lower extremity. Activation of lateral muscles (multifidus, gluteus medius, tensor fascia lata, and peroneous longus) of the paralyzed leg was then measured by electromyography (EMG). Results: There were significant differences in lateral muscle activation, depending on the PNF pattern applied, with the differences more significant in flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and end range patterns. Conclusion: PNF flexion, abduction, and internal rotation patterns can improve lateral muscle activation of one leg in the standing position in the gait cycle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.278-281
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to compare the muscle activity of the deltoid muscle according to the range of motion during the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper extremity D2 pattern exercise performed with an isokinetic exercise device. The aim was to provide basic data for selecting an exercise for the relevant segment of the range of motion to enhance function in clinical practice. Methods: In this study, the relevant measurements of the anterior and middle trapezius of 25 healthy adults were taken using a surface electromyography system. The upper extremity pattern exercise was performed in three ranges (0% to 50%, 50% to 100%, and 25% to 75%) using the upper extremity isokinetic device. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the muscle activity ratios of the anterior and middle deltoid muscles according to the measurement conditions (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the activity ratio of the middle deltoid muscle according to the measurement conditions in the ratio from the start range to the end range (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the muscle onset time difference according to the measurement conditions (p>0.05). Conclusion: The muscle activity of the anterior and middle deltoid muscles was analyzed according to the range of motion during the PNF upper extremity pattern exercise performed with an isokinetic device. The results could be used as a basis for selecting exercises for the relevant segment of the range of motion according to the function to be emphasized.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.245-254
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of elastic resistance exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the daily activities of a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. The result will be proposed as background data for effective intervention in a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. Methods: The target subject was a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury to the cervical cord (C6). Elastic resistance exercise based on PNF was performed for 30 min daily, five times a week, for eight weeks. The ASIS motor scale was applied to test the muscular strength of the upper limb, and the spinal cord independence measure II (SCIM II) was used to evaluate the capacity of daily activity. Results: By applying elastic resistance exercise based on PNF, the muscular strength of the upper limb increased and the performance of daily activity improved. Conclusion: Because elastic resistance exercise based on PNF positively influences the ASIA motor scale and SCIM II of the patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. It can be used for training programs to improve the capacity of daily activity of the patient.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.141-150
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to understand the adaptive responses of different modes of physical exercises utilizing skeletal muscle and the comprehensive relevance of AMPK signaling that can be activated by physical exercise as a potential molecular target in human health problems such as neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). METHODS: Most of the contents in this review article are based on recent publications concerning the main topics of interest. The reference literatures cited were obtained by basic searches of overseas academic databases such as PubMed and ScienceDirect using EndNote X7.8. RESULTS: The phenotypic adaptive responses of skeletal muscle during endurance- and resistance-based exercise training (ET and RT respectively) appear to be distinct. To explain the adaptive responses in each single mode of exercises (ET, RT) along with combined exercise training (CT), AMPK signaling is proposed as an important molecular link among those differential modes of exercise and a promising molecular target of NMDs. CONCLUSION: Based on the available evidence, intracellular AMPK signaling activated by diverse stimuli including physical exercise can be a potential and promising therapeutic target for the prevention, amelioration or cure of various human health problems including NMDs and may also be beneficial for physical rehabilitation and emergency situations that may elicit acute metabolic stresses.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

Background: Cervical dysfunction is a common pathomechanical marker in individuals with forward head posture (FHP). To overcome the limitations of the isometric chin-tuck (ICT) exercise, dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS), which emphasizes an entire spinal chain exercise, has recently shown promising clinical results. Objects: Purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects between ICT and DNS techniques. Methods: 43 young subjects (mean age, $24.0{\pm}5.0$ years) were recruited. Group of subjects with FHP were measured under baseline, ICT, and DNS conditions. Outcome measures included sitting height, longus colli (LC) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle thickness and LC/SCM thickness ratio. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the continuous dependent variables among FHP, ICT, and DNS conditions at p<.016. Results: Both ICT and DNS exercise conditions yielded significantly increased LC muscle thickness, LC/SCM thickness ratio and sitting height than did FHP condition (p<.0001, respectively). Sitting height was significantly greater in DNS exercise than in the ICT exercise (p<.0001). Conclusion: The present results demonstrated that sitting height was greater in the DNS exercise than in the ICT exercise, as well as both corrective postural training exercises were effective on LC/SCM muscle balance ratio when compared with the baseline FHP condition. Therefore, it is considered that DNS exercise can be the recommended exercise for people with FHP.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.9-16
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examined the effects of upper and lower limb coordinated exercise of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on static and dynamic balance ability. Methods: The subjects of this study were 18 patients who had been diagnosed with a stroke and hospitalized and who had received rehabilitation treatment at D rehabilitation hospital located in J city. They were randomly and equally assigned to a PNF upper and lower limb coordinated exercise group and an ordinary central nervous system development and treatment group, and they conducted exercises for eight weeks. They carried out exercise three times per week, for 30 minutes per each time. After each four minutes of exercise, each participant was given a and rest for one minute after exercise for four minutes was given. In order to test the subjects' static and dynamic balance ability and their dynamic balance ability, frailty and injuries,: a cooperative studyies of intervention techniques (FICSIT-4) test, a four- step square test (FSST), a timed up and go test (TUG), and a TWT3M tests wasere conducted before and after the exercise. Descriptive statistics were taken for the general characteristics of the subjects, and an independent t-test was conducted both before and after the exercise in order to examine differences between the two groups before and after the exercise were conducted. The A statistical significance level was set at p= 0.05. Results: In all the tests (of FICSIT-4, FSST, TUG, and TWT3M), both the experimental group and the control group saw more improved results, but the experimental group's results were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the size of the effects was larger in the experimental group than in the control group, with statistically significant results. Conclusion: PNF upper and lower limb coordinated exercise applied to chronic stroke patients produced brought significant results in static and dynamic balance ability. PNF and is considered as an important intervention program to improve stroke patients' balance ability.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.27-33
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on stroke patients' recovery of their balancing and walking abilities. Methods: This study was conducted with 30 patients aged at least 60 years and diagnosed with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to either a PNF upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise group of 15 patients or an aero-step balance exercise group of 15 patients. To test the subjects' balancing and walking abilities, balancing ability tests and 10-m walking speed tests were conducted before and after the interventions. The patients performed their respective exercises for 30 minutes per session, three times per week for four weeks. The PNF exercise group performed six stages of exercise consisting of a combination of PNF patterns such as sprinting, skating, and striking. The six stages (right striking, right skating, right sprinting, left striking, left skating, and left sprinting) were performed continuously with a rest period of 1 min. after training for 4 min. The exercises for the aero-step balance group consisted of balancing in a two-leg standing position, weight shifting in a two-leg standing position, one-leg standing, squat exercises, marching in place, and squatting on an aero step. Results: The PNF exercise group showed significant improvements in their balancing ability evaluations compared to the aero-step balance group and also showed significant improvements in their 10-m walking speed tests. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, PNF upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise resulted in clinical improvements of stroke patients' balancing and walking abilities. Therefore, this type of exercise is recommended as a clinical intervention for the recovery of stroke patients' lower-limb function. Future studies should be conducted with longer intervention periods and more subjects to generalize the study results.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.195-204
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• 2020

Purpose: The study investigated the effect of combined balance exercise using visual feedback and balance pads in rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 30 patients diagnosed with stroke who met the study selection criteria. Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10: a balance pad exercise (BPE) group, a visual feedback exercise (VFE) group, and a combined balance exercise (CBE) group. All three groups engaged in 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks. Results: Pre-test and post-test results were analyzed using the functional reach test (FRT), the Berg balance scale (BBS), the timed up & go test (TUG), and the Korean version of the activities-specific balance confidence (K-ABC) scale. The study yielded the following results. Pre- and post-program FRT measures showed significant differences between the BPE and CBE groups (p < 0.05). BBS, TUG, and K-ABC scores showed clear differences in all three groups. Secondly, the CBE group and the BPE group a differed significantly on the BBS before and after the 6-week program (p < 0.05). Finally, the CBE group and the VFE group differed significantly on the BBS before and after the 6-week program (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study results indicate that combined balance exercise improves balance more effectively than the balance pad and visual feedback exercises. This finding should help to improve rehabilitation in the future.