• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.233-243
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise using the PNF techniques on the lumbar deep muscles thickness and functional activity in chronic low back pain patient. Group I(n=10): general physical therapy group; Group II(n=10): general lumbar stabilization exercise group; Group III(n=10): lumbar stabilization exercise using PNF techniques(stabilizing reversal, rhythmic stabilization, combination of isotonic) group. Change of pain was measured with visual analog scale(VAS). To observe muscle thickness changes, we measured transverse abdominis(TrA), external oblique(EO), multifidus with real time ultrasound scanning. The functional activity were measured with Oswestry Disability Questionnaire(ODQ) and Roland & Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ). In VAS test, group III had more significantly decreased than before exercise. In muscle thickness test, group III had more significantly increased than before exercise in right/left TrA, EO, multifidus. In ODQ & RMDQ test, group III had more significantly decreased than before exercise. This study show that the PNF techniques is effective in improving the lumbar stability and functional activity in chronic low back pain patients.

• 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.6 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to review of effect of the PNF application for improvement of the basic physical fitness in the elderly. Methods : By using internet, we research the PubMed, Science Direct, KISS, DBpia and the article on the effect of PNF. We selected the article between 1970 and 2007. Key words were PNF, Exercise, Elderly. Results : PNF refers to any of several post-isometric relaxation stretching techniques in which a muscle group is passively stretched, then contracts isometrically against resistance while in the stretched position, and then is passively stretched again through the resulting increased range of motion. Most PNF techniques employ isometric agonist contraction/relaxation where the stretched muscles are contracted isometrically and then relaxed. The most common PNF techniques are CR, HR, CRAC, HR-AC, AC. PNF exercise effected on the muscular strength and flexibility and balance and ROM in the elderly. Conclusion : PNF is a safety and effective exercise to improve the muscular strength and flexibility and balance and ROM in the elderly. Therefore, we suggest that PNF need to generalize for the elderly.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sling exercise with PNF basic procedure in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods : This study included 14 patients with chronic low back pain, who were performed sling exercise combined PNF basic procedure. The exercise program comprised 3 sessions of 30 minutes per week for 8 weeks. The VAS(Visual analogue Scale) and BBS(Berg Balance Scale) were evaluated before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0. Results : Significant differences were observed the chronic low back pain patient for VAS, BBS. Chronic low back pain patient improved all test. Conclusion : Sling exercise with PNF basic procedure about chronic low back pain patient is very useful and effective. It is effective in clinical practice.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of study was aimed to identify whether the painless dynamic PNF techniques makes any differences in reducing lymphedema by applying this technique to lymphedema patients, and to provide the basic reference data for the purpose of applying to lymphedema patients. Methods : A total of 40 women participated in this study, and they did PNF techniques before applying lymph compression bandages. Group 1 of 20 subjects performed PNF techniques three times a week with 30 minutes each time. Group 2 of 20 subjects only practiced edema reducing massaging for 30 minutes. Results : In addition, the interaction between treatment method and treatment time was significant (p<.0001), which indicates that the changes in edema rates by measurement times appear differently according to treatment methods. In this study, it means that the 'PNF techniques' group has a steeper slope of decline than the 'message' group. Conclusion : In conclusion, both massaging and PNF techniques helped to lower edema rates. Four weeks after the beginning of treatment, PNF techniques was exhibited as generating a large degree of decline in edema rates than massaging.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2006

Purpose : The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on Balance Ability of Knee Osteoarthritis(OA) by Lower Extremity Patterns with dynamic reverse in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF). Methods : The subjects were consisted of 30 women patients with knee OA. All subjects were randomly assigned to PNF group. Each group had a treatment for 30 minutes per day and three times a week during 8 weeks period. Was used to measure recovery or worse of patient's condition, muscle assessment questionnaire(MAQ) was used to measure patient' s muscular strength, Endurance, coordination/balance, KWOMAC was used to pain, stiffness, and physical function, and BPM was used to measure path, anterior-posterior. Results : This study results in following conclusons. 1. MAQ score was significantly decreased in PNF group(p<.05). 2. KWOMAC score was significantly decreased in PNF group(p<.05). 3. BPM were score was significantly decreased in PNF group(p>.05). Conclusion : From this result the PNF treatment retrogression characteristic will be effective in treatment of patient, with the arthritis and widely may be applied at a therapist.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to compare hamstring flexibility and pressure pain threshold (PPT) after an intervention with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation contract-relax (PNF CR) technique, myofascial release (MFR), and a massage gun (MG), as well as to verify the effectiveness of the MG. Methods: This study recruited 36 participants (22 males and 14 females) with shortening of less than 70 degrees upon a straight leg raise (SLR) test, and they were randomly assigned to one of the PNF, MG, and MFR groups, each of which underwent its own protocol for 30 minutes. Flexibility of the hamstring was measured after the intervention using the active and passive knee extension (AKE and PKE) test, the sit and reach test, and PPT. Results: The AKE and PKE angles significantly decreased, as well as significantly increased in flexibility when each of the PNF, MFR, and MG interventions was performed (p<0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference among groups. However, according to the Cohen's D effect size, the MG demonstrated the largest effect size in AKE (d = 1.41) and PNF demonstrated the largest effect size in PKE (d = 1.66) and flexibility (d = 0.63). Conclusion: All interventions used in our study are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility. Based on the Cohen's D effect size, an MG is beneficial to increase the AKE, whereas PNF CR technique is recommended for increasing PKE and flexibility.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the PNF stabilization technique for the hip joint and the bridging exercise on the trunk stabilizer muscles in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adults were randomly allocated to either a PNF stabilization exercise group (n = 12) or a bridging exercise group (n = 16). The outcome measures included the contraction thickness ratio in the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO), and the TrA lateral slide was assessed during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver using b-mode ultrasound. The researcher measured the abdominal muscle thickness of each participant before the therapist began the intervention and at the moment that the intervention was applied. Between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The PNF intervention program showed a significant increase in the trunk stabilizer muscle. The percentage of change in the TrA thickness showed a significant interaction between intervention. However, there were no significant differences in the IO and EO between the two groups. Conclusion: The PNF stabilization technique for the hip joint can be used effectively to improve the IO and TrA muscles in healthy adults.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that trunk stability exercises with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF have on trunk strength and balance ability in stroke patients. Methods: This study included 20 stroke patients who performed trunk stability exercises combined with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF. The exercise program consisted of 30-minute sessions per week for six weeks. Trunk strength (BTE, Primus RS) and balance ability (Berg Balance Scale) were evaluated before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: Significant differences were observed the both groups for truck strength and balance ability. The results of the study were as follows: trunk strength was significantly increased in both groups (p<.05) and it was also found to be significant between groups after the intervention (p<.05). Balance ability was significantly increased in both groups (p<.05) and it was also found to be significant between the groups after intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Trunk stability exercises with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF are effective for improving trunk strength and balance ability in stroke patients. For stroke patients, trunk stability exercises with PNF are very useful and effective and they areeffectiveinclinicalpractice.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, based on ballistic stretching and the contract-relax technique, on hip joint flexibility and muscle tone in adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles. Methods: The study involved 40 adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles, identified using the modified Thomas test. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: PNF stretching, employing the contract-relax technique, and ballistic stretching. Measurements included muscle tension, hip joint range of motion, and muscle characteristics. The rectus femoris muscle shortening effect was confirmed by the modified Thomas test, while the flexibility effect was assessed through hip joint motion range. The muscle tension effect was determined using Myoton-PRO. Results: Both stretching methods resulted in significant improvements in modified Thomas test angles and frequency, with the PNF stretching group showing notably greater changes. However, neither stretching method significantly affected decrement or stiffness measurements. These findings suggest that PNF stretching may be more effective for certain outcomes compared to ballistic stretching. Conclusion: In summary, both stretching methods positively influenced flexibility and muscle tension, with PNF stretching showing a greater impact. These findings highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate stretching technique for achieving functional improvements in muscles, which could serve as valuable indicators for preventing and treating muscle injuries in both sports and daily activities.