• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.470-478
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) balance exercise on the ability to balance and walk in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Following baseline measurements, patients (n=24) with hemiplegia caused by stroke were randomized into two groups: the PNF balance group (n=12) that received PNF balance exercise and the balance group (n=12) that received general balance exercise. Each group joined the intervention for 30 minutes, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Both groups performed the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, as well as the 10-meter walking test (10MWT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) for walking. The data were collected both before and after the intervention. The paired t-test was used to compare the post-intervention changes compared with pre-intervention data. An independent t-test was used to analyze the differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the 6-week intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) parameters (p<0.05). The patients in the PNF balance group showed greater improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) than those in the balance group (p<0.05). Conclusions: PNF balance exercise shows improvements in balance and walking parameters in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.189-199
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this case report is to examine the impact of physical therapy using the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) concept for a patient with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: The patient is a 35-year-old female who has felt pain in the right shoulder for one month. The physical examination evaluated sensory integration, pain, joint integration and mobility, posture, reflex integration, range of motion, muscular strength, analysis of movement, and shoulder function. Comprehensive physical therapy was given to the patient, including stretching, mobilization, strengthening, posture correction, coordination improvement, daily activities, and sports exercises. The therapy was given 5 times a week for the first 5 weeks, then 3 times a week for the next 5 weeks. In all, the intervention lasted for 10 weeks. Results: The patient's senses, posture, and muscular strength all improved to a normal level. The degree of pain fell from 3/10 to 0/10 for activities taking place below shoulder height, and from 8/10 to 1/10 for activities above the head. Additionally, joint integration, motility, range of motion, and movements also improved. The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) for functional evaluation improved from 27.5 to 10.3. Conclusion: Physical therapy using the PNF concept is effective in improving the body structure, function, activity, and participation of patients with motor disorders of the shoulder impingement syndrome.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.57-65
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) respiratory muscle strengthening exercise on the pulmonary function, back pain, and disability level of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: There were 24 CLBP patients randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 12) who took part in PNF respiratory muscle strengthening exercise and the control group (n = 12) who performed a mock treatment. Both groups performed their respective interventions for 15 min five times per week for four weeks. The pulmonary function was measured using a portable spirometer. The back pain of the participants was assessed using a visual analogue scale. The Oswestry disability index was conducted to measure disability level. A paired t-test was performed to compare within-group changes before and after the PNF respiratory muscle strengthening exercise. Differences between the experimental and the control groups were analyzed using an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was α = 0.05. Results: The within-group change in pulmonary function was significantly different in the experimental group (p < 0.05), and the levels of back pain and disability were significantly different between the groups (p < 0.05). There was also a significant between-group difference in pulmonary function, back pain, and disability level after intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that PNF respiratory muscle strengthening exercise enhances pulmonary function and reduces levels of back pain and disability in patients with CLBP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.313-318
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• 2012

Purpose: This study examined the effects of an exercise program involving the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) lower-extremity patterns on the Bone Mineral Density (BMD), balance and lower muscular strength in patients with osteoporosis. Methods: The participants were allocated randomly to 2 groups: experimental group and control group. To evaluate the effects of exercise, the subjects were evaluated using the BMD and Time Up & Go Test and One Leg Stance Test for balance, and the Sit To Stand for lower muscular strength. Results: After the 8 week study, the experimental group showed a significant difference in all items compared to the control groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that a PNF exercise program is effective in patients with osteoporosis. Furthermore, an exercise program involving these patterns can be used in a follow-up program for patients with osteoporosis. Overall, more study will be needed to develop and apply more efficient exercise programs for such patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.25-32
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was conducted to find the change of shoulder flexion by degree of freedom between the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) pattern, the flexion- abduction- external rotation, and not PNF pattern, the flexion- exteral rotation(except abduction)movement. Method : PNF pattern applied on the unilateral upper extremity in all subjects were the flexion- abduction- external rotation, and not PNF pattern, and twenty-six normal subjects(13 male, 13 female) were tested by Cybex Norm Testing & Rehabilitation System. Results : PNF pattern showed significant increase of flexion than not PNF pattern, the flexion-exteral rotation(except abduction)movement, and also the female group was significantly increased than male group. Conclusion : The results suggested that the application of PNF pattern to the unilateral upper extremity had affected on the shoulder flexion by degree of freedom.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.79-92
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• 2015

The effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and elastic band exercise on the physical functions and blood lipids of obese elderly women were investigated. The experimental group ($n_1=16$) patients underwent PNF for 12 weeks, and the control group ($n_2=15$) patients performed elastic band exercises. SPSS 21.0 was used to compute the means and standard deviations. After the 12-week PNF, both the experimental and control groups showed statistically significant differences in the physical functions (cardiovascular endurance, strength of the lower extremity, muscular endurance, flexibility, balance, and agility) (p<.05), but the difference in the experimental group was more significant than that in the control group (p<.05). In terms of the changes in the blood lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein), the experimental group showed significant changes (p<.05). In conclusion, PNF was confirmed as more effective than elastic band exercise in improving the physical functions and blood lipid levels of obese elderly women.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.63-72
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on the swallowing function of stroke patients. Twelve-week PNF (facial, tongue, and breathing exercise) was applied in the experimental group consisting of 12 subjects, and a general swallowing exercise program was applied to the control group consisting of 12 subjects. In addition, the signs of improvement in the stroke patients (N=24) swallowing function were examined by conducting a video fluoroscopic swallowing study. The data were analyzed using the SPSS ver. 21.0 program, which was also utilized to gain statistical information (percentage, mean, and standard deviation), and paired t-test was conducted. As a result of the analyses, the following conclusions were arrived at. The 12-week PNF significantly improved the functional dysphagia scale, penetration-aspiration scale, pharyngeal transit time, swallowing response time, residue in valleculae, and residue in pyriform sinuses enhanced swallowing functions of the stroke patients (p<.05). In conclusion, the PNF intervention in the swallowing function of the stroke patients was found to be an effective exercise program.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.21-25
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was conducted to find out observation at gait analysis of the stroke patient with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) concept. Methods : This is a literature study with books, seminar note and international PNF course book. Results : Stroke patient gait was poor initial contact by weakness of tibialis anterior or weakness of contralateral plantar flexor, poor loading response by loss of deep sensation, poor mid stance by loss of deep sensation, weakness of tibialis anterior and weakness of plantar flexors eccentric control, poor terminal stance, pre-swing, initial swing by loss of deep sensation and stiffness fo deep toe flexors. Conclusion : Stroke patient gait determine on loss of mobility, pain, fear, trunk muscle weakness, loss of coordination, loss of deep sensation, neglect and apraxia. Therefore observational gait analysis of the stroke patient focus on gait cycle and take out hypotheses from the gait cycle. These hypotheses have to define accept or not by parameters. Treatment plan made with the hypotheses.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.25-31
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lifting on contralateral leg muscle activities in a seated position. Methods : Twenty healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Lifting was performed from each of the three position. An surface electromyogram (EMG) was used to record the EMG activities from vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) in contralateral leg muscle. The data were analyzed using a repeated measures of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc Bonferroni's correction to determine the statistical significance. Results : The results of this study were summarized as follows: In comparison to the start position, percentage maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) values of the VM, TA and GM demonstrated a significantly higher activities in the end position(p<.05). Conclusion : The result shows that contralateral leg muscles activities significantly more increase in the end position when PNF lifting was applied. Therefore, this study will be used to prove effect of indirect approach for the stability and strengthening in patients with leg impairments.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.225-234
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• 2021

Objective: We aimed to identify the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: In total, 45 patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into a conventional stretching group (n=22) and a PNF stretching group (n=23). Both interventions were performed three times per week for 6 weeks. Assessments were made using the visual analog scale, Flexion-Abduction-External Rotation test, modified Thomas test, prone hip extension test, and Oswestry disability index before and after the 6-week intervention period. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group findings before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare the between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at α=0.05, for all variables. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability after the intervention (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed in pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability in patients belonging to the PNF stretching group (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the application of PNF stretching can effectively reduce pain and improve hip range of motion and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain.