• 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.475-484
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a PNF orofacial exercise program on diadochokinesis in subacute stroke patients with dysarthria. Methods: Thirteen subacute stroke inpatients with dysarthria were recruited for the study. All participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (n=7) and a control group (n=6). The experimental group performed a PNF orofacial exercise program, and the control group carried out an orofacial self-exercise. Both groups received the treatments 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. The outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention, including an alternating motion rate (AMR) and sequential motion rate for diadochokinesis. Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant improvement in diadochokinesis (p<0.05). In the change values for both groups, the experimental group showed a more significant improvement than the control group did in /pə/ of AMR (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that PNF orofacial exercise programs may have positive effects on the improvement of diadochokinesis in subacute stroke patients with dysarthria.

• 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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed and genu recurvatum episodes in stroke patients. Methods: The patient is a 58-year-old woman with left hemiplegia who presented with genu recurvatum while walking. Each week the patient received two sessions of PNF that each lasted 45 minutes. During a six-week interval the patient underwent therapeutic exercises and occupational therapy five times a week between the two PNF treatments. During each treatment a preand post-test (a 4 m walk test) was conducted, the patient described their fear of falling down (10-point visual analogue scale), and the number of genu recurvatum episodes was recorded. Results: After the first PNF treatment, the fear of falling down was decreased from 8 points to 7 points, and the number of genu recurvatum episodes decreased from 11 to 6. After the second PNF treatment, the fear of falling down decreased from 6 points to 5 points, and the number of genu recurvatum episodes decreased from 5 to 1. The 4 m walking test time also decreased from 30 seconds to 24 seconds. Conclusion: The PNF treatment is beneficial for reducing the fear of falling down, reducing the number of genu recurvatum episodes, and improving the gait speed of stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of PNF lower extremity flexion pattern on the eletromyographic (EMG) activity in rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominal, external oblique abdominal, erector spinae. Methods : Twenty-six healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were required complete following two PNF lower extremity patterns; flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion (D1) and flexion-abduction-internal rotation with knee flexion (D2). A paired t-test was used to determine the influence of the PNF two patterns on muscle activity for each muscle and descriptive statistics was used to determine local/global muscle ratio. Results : The D1 pattern was showed significant rectus abdominis (p<.05) and Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio was 2.23 and internal oblique/external oblique ratio was 1.53. The D2 pattern showed significant erector spinae (p<.05) and Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio was 3.06 and internal oblique/external oblique ratio was 1.72. Conclusion : The D1 pattern made rectus abdominis activation increase. The D2 pattern made erector spinae activation increase. As compared D1 and D2 pattern on trunk muscle activation, it's will be useful decision making for the trunk muscle strength and stabilization.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) and Functional Electrical Stimulation(FES) of combined on gait ability in hemiplegic gait. Methods : The subjects of this study were 13 hemiplegic patients. Each subjects was taken PNF pattern and FES of combined with 5 times per week for 4weeks. Pre- and Post-intervention change in gait ability were measured using an Timed up and Go test, stride length of the affected side, step length of the affected side. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test. Results : The results of this study were showed significantly improvement in TUG, stride length of the affected side, step length of the affected side after intervention. Conclusion : These results suggest that the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) and Functional Electrical Stimulation(FES) of combined exercise is an effective way of improving gait ability for hemiplegic patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training and robot rehabilitation training on trunk stability and standing balance in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: There were 30 patients with chronic stroke, divided into two groups: 15 subjects who received PNF and robot training (the experimental group) and 15 subjects who received standard conservative training (the control group), that participated. The experimental group received treatment for 60 min: 30 min of conventional physical therapy, 15 min of PNF training, and 15 min of robot training. The control group received conventional physical therapy for 60 min. Trunk stabilization (trunk impairment scale) and standing balance (center of pressure, limit of stability, modified functional reach test, and Berg balance scale) were measured before and after intervention. Results: Within each group, both the experimental and control groups significantly improved after the intervention in all tests; however, the experimental group showed greater improvement in scores on the trunk impairment scale, the center of pressure, the limit of stability, the modified functional reach test, and the Berg balance scale. Conclusion: The study verified that PNF training and robot training had a positive influence on trunk stability and standing balance indices in patients with chronic stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.351-358
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to determine the correlation between the effects of contract-relax-antagonist-contract (CRAC) and contract-relax (CR) forms of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on balance during single-leg standing in elderly people. Methods: The participants were 20 elderly people in healthy condition and divided equally into two groups: the CRAC stretching group and the CR stretching group. Subjects were made to walk on a treadmill for 6 minutes before the stretching as a warm-up. CR and CRAC stretching were performed on the soleus. The dependent variables used to assess single-leg standing balance were overall stability(OSI), anterior/posterior(A/P) movement, and medial/lateral(M/L) movement. The statistical methods used to assess the differences between groups were verified using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The CRAC group had significantly increased OSI, A/P and M/L after the PNF stretching intervention (p < 0.05). The CR group had significantly increased OSI and A/P after the PNF stretching intervention (p < 0.05), but M/L did not significantly increase (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in stretching between CRAC and CR (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that CR and CRAC PNF stretching improved single-leg standing balance. CARC stretching before exercise is helpful for elderly people, as it improves balance.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.318-328
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• 2012

The purpose of present study was to determine effects of a PNF combination pattern training on muscle activity of lower extremities and gait ability in hemiparetic subjects. Twenty chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly divided into either control group and experimental group. Experimental group received PNF combination pattern training, four times per a week for six weeks and control group received general exercise training. For the lower limbs muscle activity, RMS of action potential were analyzed and gait ability tests was conducted with 10MWT, DGI and F8WT. For the significance test of control and experimental group for measuring time by exercise application method, two-way repeated measure ANOVA. As the result, muscle activity of RF(p<.05), VM, TA, LH, LG was significantly increased between measurement period(p<.001), In VM, TA, LH, LG, there were interactions each measurement time and between group. 10MWT, DGI, F8WT in gait ability was significantly improved between measurement periods(p<.001) and In 10MWT, DGI, F8W, there were interaction each measurement time and between group. In conclusion, the PNF combination pattern application will be effective strategy to increasing the muscle activity and improving gait ability in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aquatic exercise applied PNF patterns on body composition and balance performance in people who have had a stroke. Methods : Forteen candidates who have all experienced a stroke were participating in a community based rehabilitation program, have been included in this study. The program was conducted three times weekly, 1 hour per session, for 10 consecutive weeks. Subjects were tested with body composition and 5 items of Berg's balance test at pre-training and post-training. Total balance indexes in 3 conditions were measured by K.A.T. 3000. The aquatic exercise applied PNF patterns was consisted of PNF patterns and various aquatic activities. Results : After ten weekends of aquatic exercise training, there were not significant difference in body composition(p>.05) except of muscular weight of affected lower extremity(p<.05). But edema index increased more than pre-training (p<.05). Subjects showed significant difference in Berg's balance test results except of 2 items of Berg's balance test (p<.05). Total balance index score when subjects opened their eyes and didn't hold the handle was decreased less than pre-training(p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that intervention of this aquatic exercise program applied PNF patterns could increase edema index and muscular weight of affected lower extremity and improve the balance performance in people who have had a stroke.