• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.859-864
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vibration on Golgi tendon organ(GTO) and Hold-Relax of PNF in muscular activity and gait factors on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness(DOMS). This study was conducted on 20 subjects. they were divided into two groups; Hold-Relax of PNF(n=10), Vibration on GTO(n=10). Both of the group was performed interventions 1 times a day for 3 days. The data was analyzed by the repeated-ANOVA for comparing before, after 24h and after 48h changes of factors in each group and the Independent t-test for comparing the between groups. The results are as follows. There was statistically significant difference of before, after 24h and after 48h vibration on GTO group and Hold-Relax of PNF group in muscular activity and gait factors on DOMS.(p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference of between vibration on GTO group, but there was statistically significant difference Hold-Relax of PNF group in EMG, step width, step length, stride length(p>0.05). As a results of this study, Hold-Relax of PNF group are effective in improving muscular activity and gait factors.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.195-202
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of applying proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) leg patterns on the activation of three types of mesogluteal fibers at the opposite side. Methods: The target subjects of this study were 19 healthy men who voluntarily agreed to participate in the program. For all subjects, the following four PNF leg patterns were applied while they were in a standing position, and then, the activation of the gluteus medius at the opposite side was measured: (1) flexion abduction internal rotation pattern, (2) flexion adduction external rotation pattern, (3) extension abduction internal rotation pattern, and (4) extension adduction external rotation pattern. In each position, a pattern was executed three times in 5 s, and the average of each measurement was used for the statistics. Results: Among the PNF leg patterns, the activation of the mesogluteal fibers at the opposite side was most significant under the application of the extension abduction internal rotation pattern. The activation of the back muscular fiber was significantly high under the application of the flexion abduction internal rotation pattern. Conclusion: Selective application of PNF leg patterns can improve the functional activity of each mesogluteal fiber.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck patterns in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) for neck movement and the neck disability index (NDI) among adults with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were randomly assigned into two groups. Subjects in the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) received 20 minutes of PNF neck pattern (flexion-Rt. lateral flexion-Rt. rotation followed by extension-Lt. lateral flexion-Lt. rotation) 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured using absolute rotation angle (ARA), anterior weight bearing (AWB), range of flexion and extension motions (RFEM), and neck disability index (NDI) methods before and after the 4-week intervention period. Results: There were significant effects for the PNFG, pre- and post-intervention, in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI. There were significant differences in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI compared with CG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the PNF neck pattern could be beneficial for adults with forward head posture.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.140-155
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of scapular pattern of PNF on the pain level in whiplash injury patients. Pain level were assessed prior, after first, after second, after third, after fourth, and after fifth treatment. All 6 times were calculated pain level. To find out the effectiveness of scapular pattern of PNF, we were divide two groups. The one group was consisted of 25 patients that were treated with H/P electrical therapy and MFR, and the other group was consisted of 25 patients that were treated with H/P, electrical therapy, and scapular pattern of PNF. The results were as follow: 1. There were statistical significance on the pain level in MFR group during all treatment periods(p<0.05). 2. There were statistical significance on the pain level in scapular pattern of PNF group all during treatment periods(p<0.05). 3. Scapular pattern of PNF group had more statistical significance than MFR group on the pain level during all treatment periods(p<0.05). Consequently, this study suggest that scapular pattern of PNF technique has a very effectiveness to the whiplash injury patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in functional assessment measures (FAMs) and spatiotemporal gait parameters (STGPs) in healthy older adults before and after a 6-week intervention of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training program. Methods: Thirty healthy older adults (mean age: $73.37{\pm}1.21$ age range: 65-79) were randomly assigned either to an experimental group (participating in a 6-week intervention of PNF training) or a control group (only performing daily activities). Participants in the control group did not receive any training program. Performance was assessed by recording changes in the FAMs and STGPs using functional assessment tools and GAITRite. Results: Participants in the PNF group showed significantly improved functional assessment measures and increased stride length, cadence, velocity, and step width (p<0.05). No significant differences in FAMs and STGPs were found in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Participation in a PNF training program improves FAMs and STGPs, thereby increasing the ability of healthy older adults to maintain dynamic balance during functional performance and gait. These findings support the use of PNF training programs as effective fall-prevention programs for the elderly.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2006

Purpose : Improved walking is a common goal after stroke. Although the neurodevelopmental intervention(PNF) is the most widely used approach in the walking training of hemiparetic subjects. There is little neurophysiological evidence for its presumed effects on gait symmetry and facilitation of paretic muscles during the therapeutic intervention. The study, therefore, investigated the immediate effects of gait entrainment by a PNF techniques. Methods : Included persons with stroke who were living in the community. Sixteen subjects were assigned to the experimental group participated in a measures design that evaluated the subjects with pre-treatment, post-treatment(8 weeks). Temporal-spatial parameter of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. Intervention : Training for the experimental group was carried out 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The training sessions were comprised of 50 minutes of walking with pattern and techniques in PNF. Results : The experimental group had improvements in the functional walking ability after 8 weeks treatment and Post-treatment test scores were more significant than the pre-treatment score. The treatment group demonstrated significantly post-treatment test improvement in gait velocity, cadence and FAP. Post-treatment test scores were more significant than the pre-treatment score(p<0.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that the PNF exercise intervention can improve functional gait ability. This study provides evidence for the efficacy of PNF treatment at improving locomotor function in chronic stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and taping interventions on balance ability, joint position sense, and ankle joint strength. Methods: Thirty subjects who had experienced an ankle sprain within the previous 3 months participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to a PNF group (n=15) or a taping group (n=15). Before and after the interventions, ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion strength, joint position error, and total center of pressure movements in one leg while in a standing position were measured. Results: Regardless of the group allocation, ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion strength significantly improved after the interventions (p<0.05). Compared to preintervention measurements, joint position errors were significantly reduced postintervention (p<0.05). The PNF intervention significantly decreased the total lateral movement of the center of pressure in the one leg standing condition (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both PNF and taping interventions improved joint position sense and ankle joint strength. In common with the findings of a previous study, the PNF intervention improved balance ability. Further study is required to investigate the effects of various PNF and taping interventions on ankle performance in subjects with chronic ankle sprains.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of an intervention based on the concept of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the weight-supporting ability, fear of falling, and stair-walking ability of stroke patients. Methods: One pretest, three intervention sessions, and one posttest were conducted. In the tests, weight-supporting ability, manual muscle strength, the fear of falling, and the time to go up and down a 'ㄱ'-shaped stair-walking machine were measured and compared. The intervention was implemented for 30 minutes per day for three days in combination with general rehabilitation. The intervention was planned and implemented based on the concept of PNF, and the goal was for the subjects, after their consent, to walk backward down the stairs. Results: After the intervention, functional improvement was seen in weight-supporting ability and the fear of falling felt when walking down the stairs. Whereas the subjects could not perform the task of walking down the stairs on the 'ㄱ'-shaped stair-walking machine in the pretest, they could perform the task in the posttest, and their stair-climbing speed was greater than before the intervention. Conclusion: This study verified that a PNF-based intervention can improve stroke patients' weight-supporting ability and stair-walking ability. Therefore, this intervention can be clinically applied to stroke patients.