• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.77-83
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the changes in the respiratory function when PNF chopping and lifting patterns were used in chronic stroke patients METHOD: The subjects were 30 patients diagnosed with chronic stroke. The respiratory function (FVC, FEV₁, and FEV₁/FVC) were measured by spirometry. Thirty subjects were divided randomly into an experimental group to which 15 PNF chopping and lifting were applied and a control group to which chest breathing exercise was performed. The intervention was conducted three times a week for six 6 weeks. To examine the effects of intervention, the pre- and post-intervention values for each group were compared using a paired t-test. An independent t-test was used to compare the differences in the values of changes pre- and post-intervention in the two groups. Statistical significance was set to .05. RESULTS: Satistically significant differences in FVC and FEV₁ were observed in both the experimental group and control group according to the intervention (p < .05). A statistically significant difference was found in FVC and FEV₁ compared to values of changes pre- and post-intervnetion between the experimental and control groups. There was no difference in FEV₁/FVC. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that PNF chopping and lifting can be applied as an excellent respiratory intervention program compared to general chest breathing exercises to improve respiratory function in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of proprioceptive sensation, subacromial space, and dynamic function according to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), static stretching (SS), and complex rotational stretching (CRS). METHODS: Thirty students without any musculoskeletal disease who volunteered to participate were included in this study. The following metrics were measured to evaluate the function and stability under the normal conditions, with the PNF, SS, and CRS: special test and flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation (shoulder range of motion) and reaching distance on the medial (ME), superolateral (SL), inferolateral (IL), and subacromial space and proprioceptive sensation were evaluated. All measures were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and repeated measures of ANOVA. RESULTS: A clear difference in adduction in the range of motion was observed in all groups (p < .05). Significant differences could not be identified in all values in the error test, except for Ab (p < .05). Significant differences in reach were noted in all directions of the SS and PNF in the Me, SL, and IL (p < .05). After the intervention, significant differences in the average values could be identified in all groups except for the SS group after rest (p < .05). After the intervention, there was a significant difference between the CRS and SS and PNF groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The application of CRS is as helpful as the existing SS and PNF for improving the joint range of motion improvement, shoulder balance, and subacromial space.

• 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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.321-329
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effect on the change in muscle stiffness in the common extensor muscle (CEM) when using the spiral taping method to promote proprioception. Methods: There were 18 participants in this study. CEM stiffness was measured using a MyotonePRO device with the subject in a sitting position and according to the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) arm pattern. Elastic tape was used as the material for the three taping methods employed in the study: kinesiotaping (KT), right spiral taping (RST), and left spiral taping (LST). The taping methods were applied to the wrist extensor muscle with elongation position. Additionally, when performing PNF arm patterns, spiral taping in diagonal and spiral directions was used to promote CEM proprioceptors. The change in CEM stiffness was compared with the initial data values. Results: The results of this study were obtained by comparing and measuring changes in CEM stiffness using three different tapings. It was found that the stiffness change of the CEM was significant compared to the initial value, and the increase in stiffness of the CEM after RST application was also significant. Conclusion: The results of this study show that by affecting the strength and activation of the extensor muscle, taping performed through the RST method had the most positive effect on the change in CEM stiffness.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on gait ability in hemiplegic patients. Method : The subjects of this study were 11 hemiplegic patients. Each subject was taken PNF exercise with 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention change in gait ability were measured using an 6m walking test, stride length, and step length. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test. Results : The results of this study showed significantly improvement in 6m walking test, stride length, and step length after intervention. Conclusion : These results suggest that the PNF coordination exercise is an effective way of improving gait ability for hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.487-494
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• 1995

Two techniques were compared to test their effectiveness of frozen shoulder. The study was 20 cases of frozen shoulder who were treated at the department of physical therapy at Kum ma clinic during 6 months from 1 July, 1994 to 30 December, 1994. The treatment methods were application Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) and General Exercise(Pendulum exercise, Scratch exercise, Overhead pully, Shoulder wheel). The results obtained from these cases were as follows; 1. The subjects were 8(40 %) males and 12(60 %) females. The largest group was $50{\sim}59$ years of age 8 persons(40 %). 2. The majority of patients came for physical treatment within $7{\sim}10$ months after onset of shoulder pain(10 presons or 50 %) and 11 months after(4 persons or 20 %). 3. PNF cases recovered in average of 23 days and G - E cases 32 days. Also, the PNF method showed the best results in treatment of frozen shoulder better than the G-E.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.29-35
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• 2008

Purpose : To describes the important aspects of the foot and ankle movement and function used when git and balance strategy. Method : The foot and ankle was a very important roles in the lower limb movement and gait. This study summarizes the physiologic movement of knee to the PNF lower extremity patterns. Result : The ankle joint composed of the talocural joint, the subtalarl joint, transverse tarsal joint, talocalcaneonavicular joint. The onset of dorsiflexion muscle activity starts in pre swing gait patterns. First contract muscle is the extensor hallucis. Activity of tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus quickly follows in mid swing gait phase. During stance phase, the soleus and gastrocnemius muscle provided plantar flexor torque, which muscle reacts quickly to restrain ankle dorsiflexion, and contributes modulated control of the ankle motion in gait patterns. Conclusions : The understanding of ankle kinematics, could provide a good therapeutic approach for improving gait patterns in patients with various pathological condition.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2004

Purpose : The purpose of this article was to review the literature on contractile properties of skeletal muscle with reference to its molecular and functional diversity. Method : This review outlines scientific findings regarding different contractile properties in skeletal muscle fibers, and discusses their involvement in functional diversity. Result & Conclusions: Muscle fibers possess distinct mechanical and energetic properties. Myosis, one of the primary contractile muscle proteins, displays structural, functional variability and plays the role of the molecular motor of muscle contraction. Muscle satellite cells are normally mitotically quiescent, but initiate proliferation and give rise to daughter myogenic precursor cells as required for the postnatal growth and regeneration of adult muscle. Passive extensibility is an important component of total muscle function because it allows for the maximal length of skeletal muscles. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) stretching can help to restore or improve flexibility and coordination, thereby improving overall muscle function.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of trunk-stabilization training using stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization techniques of PNF on trunk muscle strength and respiratory function in elderly stroke patients. Methods: There were 26 stroke patients included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups, and all patients performed exercise 30 min five times per week for six weeks. The experimental group performed trunk stability exercise using stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization techniques of PNF, and the control group performed flexibility and strength training. Trunk muscle strength, forced vital capacity, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiration pressure were measured to determine the changes after the intervention. For statistical processing, a paired t-test was performed within the group, and the value after intervention was performed as an independent t-test to find out the difference between the two groups. Results: In the experimental group, all of the trunk muscle strength, forced vital capacity, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiration pressure showed significant differences according to the intervention. In the control group, there were statistically significant differences in trunk muscle strength and forced vital capacity, but the maximum inspiratory pressure and the maximum expiration pressure did not show any statistical change. Conclusion: From these results, it can be seen that the trunk stability exercises that use the proprioceptive neuromuscular promotion method of stable reversal and rhythm stabilization can be a good intervention for the respiratory function of stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify functional problems, including walking ability, of patients with strokes using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and to present a method that could solve functional problems, thereby determining the applicability of the ICF to increase the quality of evaluation and intervention in clinical fields in the future. Methods: Information on stroke patients who were admitted and treated in a hospital was collected. The authors conducted evaluations, interventions, and measurements of the results of the ICF tool in order to improve gait abilities of patients. The subjects were trained using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) one hour a day and five times a week for four weeks. The result measurement variables were a six-minute gait test, 10 m velocity test, gait instability test, and measurements using the ICF sheet. Results: In the six-minute gait test, gait distance increased by 48 m, from 102 m to 150 m. The gait velocity test result showed an improvement from 0.36m/s to 0.44m/s. The subjects performed a gait instabilitytestwithacupfilledwith50mmwater. In the gait instability test, the amount of water was 38 mm before the intervention; however, it was 50 mm after the intervention. The gait velocity with a cup filled with water improved from 0.25m/s to 0.31m/s. Conclusion: An evaluation and intervention were designed with the ICF tool for stroke patients. Gait abilities improved when the PNF technique was used. The IFC method can be used for evaluation and intervention, and it could help improve gait abilities of stroke patients.