• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the immediate effects of different breathing training techniques on diaphragm excursion and vital capacity in healthy adults. Specifically, the study focused on comparing respiratory exercise without PNF, bilateral pattern respiratory exercise, and bilateral pattern with spiral pattern respiratory exercise. Methods: Twenty-seven healthy adults in their 20s participated in the study. Diaphragm excursion and vital capacity were evaluated under three different conditions. A one-way repeated ANOVA was used to analyze the differences in diaphragm excursion and vital capacity among the interventions. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in diaphragm excursion among the interventions, comparing respiratory exercise without PNF, bilateral pattern respiratory exercise, and bilateral pattern with spiral pattern respiratory exercise. Similarly, statistically significant differences were found in vital capacity among the interventions without PNF respiratory exercise, bilateral pattern respiratory exercise, and bilateral pattern with spiral pattern respiratory exercise. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that incorporating the spiral technique in respiratory exercise led to increased diaphragm excursion and lung capacity compared to other interventions. These findings suggest that PNF respiratory exercise combined with the spiral pattern may have clinical implications for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and clinical application of these approaches.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1018-1024
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of cervical alignment, pain, and physique to apply proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) techniques in patients with forward head posture (FHP). The subjects of this study were 24 patients diagnosed with FHP. They were randomly divided into two groups: a PNF group(n=12) and a control group(n=12). The intervention was performed a total of 24 times, 30 min a day, six times a week for four weeks. Data on cervical alignment(forward head displacement, FHD), pain(visual analog scale, VAS), and physique(height, weight, and body mass index) were obtained pre- and post-intervention. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the groups and time. For FHD, the VAS, and physique(height and BMI), there was an interaction effect for the groups and time(p<.001, BMI: p<.05) and main effects for time(p<.001, BMI: p<.05). For weight, there were main effects of time(p<.01). For FHD(p<.01) and the VAS(p<.05), there were main effects for the groups. In the PNF group, there were significant improvements in FHD, VAS, and physique. In the control group, there was a significant increase in FHD. The results of this study indicated that PNF intervention using scapular and upper extremity patterns effective in FHP positively. The use of a therapeutic intervention on physique changes may also be effective in improving poor posture and help to better patients' quality of life.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.95-105
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study aimed to utilize the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) tool to identify a problem list and explore intervention effects using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) for improving the crosswalk performance of patients who have undergone a bilateral hip arthroplasty. METHODS: The subject of this study was a 43-year-old male who had undergone a bilateral hip arthroplasty. To address the subject's functional status, a clinical decision-making process was carried out in the order of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcome. Patient information during the examination was collected using the ICF core set. The evaluation involved listing the items of each problem using the ICF assessment sheet and identifying the interaction between activity limitations and the impairment level. The diagnosis explicitly described the causal relationships derived from the evaluation using ICF terminology. The prognosis presented activity goals, body function, and structured goals in terms of the activity and participation levels that needed to be achieved for an individual's functional status. The intervention approached problems through the four components of the PNF philosophy, namely basic principles and procedures, techniques, and patterns, in an indirect-direct-task sequence. Results were compared before and after the intervention using the ICF evaluation display. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that the primary activity limitation, which was the walking time across the crosswalk, showed improvement, and the trunk's counter rotation and the weight-bearing capacity of both the lower limbs, which were impairment level indicators, were enhanced. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that PNF intervention strategies will serve as a positive approach for improving crosswalk walking in patients with bilateral hip arthroplasty.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of close kinetic chain(CKC) and open kinetic chain(OKC) posion on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation applied to the unilateral upper extremity on the muscle activation of lower extremity. All subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: open kinetic chain group(n=5),closed kinetic chain group(n=5). All participants were PNF patterns applied on the unilateral upper extremity in all subjects were the kinetic chain(CKC) and open kinetic chain(OKC) posion on flexion/abduction/external rotation. The hold and approximation techniques for the irradiation were applied to end range. All measurements for each subject took the following tests: pre-test, post - test in 4weeks, post-testin 8weeks. EMG data was collected from the vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscle of both lower extreamity using surface EMG system, Each EMG value in individual muscle was normalized for maximal voluntary contraction. The data were analyzed using Two-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) with repeated measures to determine the statistical significances. The results of this study are summarized as follows. First, during for close kinetic chain(CKC) and open kinetic chain(OKC) posion on PNF pattern application, all of the %MVIC values of close kinetic chain and open kinetic chain posion increased sign ificantly compared(p<0.05). Second, The close kinetic chain(CKC) and open kinetic chain(OKC) posion on PNF pattern application was significantly increased with in the intervention period(p<.05). Third, there was a no significant open kinetic chain posion on PNF pattern application of sing muscle group with in the intervention period.(p<0.05) there was a significant close kinetic chain posion on PNF pattern application of sing muscle group with with in the intervention period(p<0.05). Forth, interaction of the exercise position and muscle was also significant. Post-hoc tests revealed that the activation levels of vastus medialis muscle and tibialis anterior muscle was higher in the closed kinetic chain position(p<.05). that the activation levels of vastus medialis and gastrocnemius muscle was higher in the open kinetic chain position(p<.05). In conclusion, it was found that the application of PNF patterns to the unilateral upper extremity effect on the muscle activation of lower extremity and both open kinetic chain exercise and closed kinetic chain exercise was significantly increased muscle activity. Further studies are needed to analyzed long term effects and subjects resulting from these changed.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of direct and indirect methods of contract-relax techniques in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching for improving hamstring flexibility. Methods: Twenty-six subjects were randomly assigned to either a direct contract-relax technique group or an indirect contract-relax group. For each group, stretching intervention was performed three times a week for a period of two weeks, with 12 seconds for the contraction and 10 seconds for the relaxation per once. The direct contract-relax technique for hamstring flexibility was applied by asking the subject to press down on the shoulder of the trainer in the straight leg-raising position. Conversely, the indirect contract-relax technique was performed by raising the leg with resistance. To facilitate a comparative analysis of hamstring flexibility between the two groups before and after the stretching intervention, two-way repeated ANOVA was performed. Hamstring flexibility for each group was measured using a passive straight leg-raising test. Results: The results showed significant improvement in hamstring flexibility for all subjects in the two groups. However, there was no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, both direct and indirect contract-relax techniques are confirmed to be useful for improving hamstring flexibility. The choice of suitable technique has to be made individually according to the condition of each subject.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.119-125
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• 2015

Purpose: The current study seeks to examine the effects of stabilizing reversal(SR) and rhythmic stabilization(RS) in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques on static balance in normal female adults. Methods: Subjects included 20 healthy women in their 20s. They were randomly divided into SR and RS groups. To assess static balance before and after PNF intervention, the good balance system was used to measure the interior and exterior center of pressure (COP) movement distance, front and rear COP movement distance before and after the intervention, and velocity moment. Results: Interior and exterior COP movement distance, front and rear COP movement distance, and velocity moment decreased in the SR group, but no statistically significant differences were observed. In the RS group, the interior and exterior COP movement distance declined without any significant difference, while the front and rear COP movement distance and velocity moment significantly decreased. The interior and exterior COP movement distance, front and rear COP movement distance, and velocity moment declined more in the RS group than in the SR group. Conclusion: The findings of the current study indicate that the RS technique is more effective than the SR technique for improving the balance ability of healthy female adults. The results of this study can thus be utilized in the selection of effective interventions for improving the balance ability of healthy female adults.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed in a stroke patient with genu recurvatum. Methods: The subject was a 52-year-old female diagnosed with stroke. Information on health was collected through client Interview based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF was used to identify connections between functional problems, and for diagnosis, and functional problems were described using ICF terms. For prognostic purposes, comprehensive goals for functional activity and participation level are presented as long- and short-term goals. Intervention was performed using an exercise program composed of techniques and principles based on PNF concepts for 50 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. Gait speed and lower limb strength before to after intervention differences were used as study outcomes. Results: Clinical advantages were observed in body function (3.6kg increase in knee extension strength, 1.4kg increase in knee flexion strength, 0.9kg increase in hip abduction). Gait speed, which was the patient's primary limitation, was improved by 0.2m/sec. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, application of the PNF concept would appear to improve gait speed and genu recurvatum in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.137-141
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• 1999

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF), pelvic patterns are very important for orthopaedic and neurologic patient. It is an essential treatment techniques for motor developmental disorder. CVA, lumbar disk, muscle weekness and pain control of lumbar, pelvic and lower extremity, Pelvic patterns of PNP has 4 different type of basic pattern. each of them is combinding of movement plane and functional movement. Biomechanically most of PNF patterns are a concentric contraction with third-class lever. But the movement pattern have a technique of combination of isotonic that should make a eccentric contraction with second-class lever.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-55
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of contract relaxation and a combination of isotonics in proprioceptive neuromucular facilitation (PNF) on hip and lumbopelvic motions of male patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: As the subjects of this study, a total of 45 male patients with chronic low back pain were divided into groups: 15 who underwent contract relaxation (CR) of the PNF of their hip joints, 15 who underwent a combination of isotonics (CI) of the PNF, and 15 who underwent both techniques. A device for analyzing three-dimensional motion was used to measure hip medial rotation angles, lumbopelvic rotation angles, and hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation during hip medial rotation. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the average values. Results: There were interactions in the hip medial rotation angles, lumbopelvic rotation angles and hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation based on the methods and periods of exercise (p < 0.05). The CR and the CR+CI groups displayed more increased hip medial angles when compared to the CI group. The CR+CI group had more decreased lumbopelvic rotation angles when compared to the CR and the CI groups. The CR+CI group had more increased hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation when compared to the CR and the CI groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the combination of stretching and stability exercises was effective in male patients with chronic low back pain who showed limited hip medial rotation.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) on balance ability in poststroke hemiparetic subjects. Methods : The subjects of this study were 12 patients with hemiplegia who volunteered to participate in the experiment which was carried out over the course of 4 weeks. The Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation is applied to group with three positions (sidelying, half-standing, modified plantigrade). The tests between before and after the intervention were measured by FSST (Four Square Step Test), FICSIT-4 (Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques), BBS(Berg Balance Scale). The data were analyzed using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test to determine the statistical significance. Results : The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. After intervention, the score of BBS and FICSIT-4 significantly were increased compared with before intervention. 2. After intervention, the time of FSST were reduced significantly compared with before intervention. Conclusions : According to above results, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation improved with balance ability of patients with hemiplegia. This study provided basic data for effects Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on balance ability. In conclusion, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with other interventions is effective way to improve balance ability of patients with hemiplegia.