• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of underwater and ground proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise on trunk control and lower extremity muscle activity of chronic stroke patients. Design: Pretest-posttest design: single blind. Methods: The subjects were 28 patients (experimental group, n=14 or control group, n=14) diagnosed with chronic stroke. The experimental group performed underwater proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise. The control group performed ground proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise. Training was conducted once a day for 30 minutes, five days per week for six. Trunk control was measured using the Trunk Impairment Scale. Lower extremity muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Results: As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental and control group showed significant difference for trunk control after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in trunk control than the control group (p<0.05). In comparison within groups, the experimental group showed significant difference for lower extremity muscle activity after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in lower extremity muscle activity than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, underwater proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise effectively improved the trunk control and lower extremity muscle activity of chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck patterns in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) for neck movement and the neck disability index (NDI) among adults with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were randomly assigned into two groups. Subjects in the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) received 20 minutes of PNF neck pattern (flexion-Rt. lateral flexion-Rt. rotation followed by extension-Lt. lateral flexion-Lt. rotation) 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured using absolute rotation angle (ARA), anterior weight bearing (AWB), range of flexion and extension motions (RFEM), and neck disability index (NDI) methods before and after the 4-week intervention period. Results: There were significant effects for the PNFG, pre- and post-intervention, in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI. There were significant differences in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI compared with CG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the PNF neck pattern could be beneficial for adults with forward head posture.Purpose: This study investigates how abdominal muscular exercise based on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) can affect chronic low back pain patients in terms of their pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability indexes. Methods: Fourteen target subjects with chronic low back were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 7) that performed abdominal muscle exercises and the experimental group (n = 7) that performed PNF abdominal muscular exercises. The exercises were performed five times a week for six weeks. To check the change in pulmonary function, the forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and visible analogue scale (VAS) were measured to check the pain level. The disability level caused by back pain was measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). A paired t-test was applied to compare the differences between the groups before and after the intervention, and an independent t-test was used to compare the differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set as ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Before and after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant change in FEV1 (p < 0.01), and both the experimental and the control groups showed significant changes in VAS and ODI (p < 0.01). A comparison of the differences between the groups indicated that the experimental group showed more significant changes in FEV1 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the study results, PNF abdominal muscular exercise effectively improved pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability indexes in subjects with chronic back pain. The proposed program can be applied to chronic back pain patients as a useful therapy.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.65-69
• /
• 2015

Joint flexibility is an important factor which affect the process and duration of the therapeutic methods in the filed of occupational therapy. Hip joint flexibility and electromyography (EMG) of major flexor and extensor for the hip joint were examined to understand the biomechanical characteristics of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). Hip joint flexibility increased $18.9^{\circ}$ on average after PNF was performed by a designated assistant on 10 college students. EMGs of quadriceps femoris muscle and hamstring muscles agreed with biomechanical characteristics of proprioceptive organs in muscles.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 2003

Objectives : The purpose of this study was conducted to find change and development of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF). Methods: This is a literature study with books, seminar and book for the international courses. Results: Combination of isotonic has been started by Mr and Mrs Johnson after Miss Knott passed away. It is that the terms of maximum resistance changed into optimal or appropriate resistance. It is focus on activities. Maximum resistance focus not only activities but also irradiation have to fit with normal functions. PNF has enough for the motor control concepts and international classification of functioning(ICF)of WHO. Conclusions: PNF has changed and developed with giving resistance method. It is that changed from maximal resistance to optimal resistance. But it is smaller concept than maximum resistance. Even though PNF founded 60 years ago, it is enough for new concepts that is motor control and learning.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the lower extremities patterns in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation to the gait and stair up of the hemiplegic stroke patient. the patient was taken lower extremities patterns in porprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with 5 times per week for 8 weeks. The results were as followings ; 1. The walking times was decreased from 78 seconds to 39 seconds at 20m, 2. The stride length was increased from 48.3cm to 93.3cm. 3. The step length was increassed from 25.2cm to 47.2cm. 4. The stair up was increased from 3.2cm to 15.5cm.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.81-88
• /
• 2006

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.217-227
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises on the neck disability index and deep neck flexor endurance of acute whiplash injury patients and to provide basic data for PNF exercises for musculoskeletal system disorder patients. Methods: Twenty acute whiplash injury patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=10) and were treated with PNF exercises whereas a control group (n=10) underwent general exercises. Each session lasted 15 minutes and was performed five times a week for two weeks. The degree of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the degree of neck disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI). Craniocervical flexor endurance (CCFE) tests were conducted to measure deep neck flexor endurance. Results: In terms of the intragroup changes in VAS, NDI, and CCFE, there were significant decreases in both the experimental and the control groups. After intervention, there were significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in terms of intergroup changes in VAS, NDI and CCFE. Conclusion: Although the exercises that are generally applied to acute whiplash injury patients are effective on the whole, PNF exercises are considered to be beneficial, given the improvements in the neck disability index and deep neck flexor endurance.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.219-229
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Patients with Parkinson's disease suffer many restrictions in daily life. This case report investigated how intervention with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)-based physical therapy can affect the activities of Parkinson's patients. Methods: The subject was a 67-year-old female patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 3 years ago. Since the last five months, overall activities have become difficult for her, and she finally visited a hospital to take outpatient physical therapy because of the gait difficulties she suffered. The patient's medical history, system review, body structure and function, and activities were evaluated. The patient had difficulties in activities such as lying down, sitting, standing, maintaining a standing position, and walking. The PNF-based intervention was used for treating the impairments and improving the activities. The intervention was performed for 30 min a day, three times a week, for eight weeks. The qualifier of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health was used to measure the result, and the measurement was conducted before and after the intervention for eight weeks. Results: According to the result, the scores for maintaining a standing position, moving around within the home, and going to the toilet improved to "no problem" from "moderate problem." The scores for shifting the body's center of gravity, walking short distances, and washing oneself improved from "moderate problem" to "mild problem." The scores for sitting and standing improved to "no problem" and "mild problem" from "complete problem." The scores for preparing meals and doing housework improved from "severe problems" to "mild problem" or "moderate problem." The scores for walking long distances, moving around outside the home and other buildings, and using transportation did not show significant changes. Conclusion: Intervention with PNF-based physical therapy improved the activity of patients with Parkinson's disease, thus proving its effectiveness. The case report suggested that a therapist can use PNF as a physical therapy intervention for patients with Parkinson's who suffered restrictions in daily activities.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.149-155
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise in the progressive sitting position on the dynamic balance ability of a patient with a cerebellar injury. Methods: The subject had ataxia due to cerebellar injury. The subject participated in a PNF bilateral scapular pattern exercise with stabilizing reversal technique during a progressive sitting position session as well as baseline for 20 minutes a day for 4 weeks. In the first session, PNF exercises were performed at a height of 40 cm for 10 minutes, and in the second session they were performed at 50 cm for 10 minutes from a lower center of gravity (COG) to a higher COG sitting position. We used the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) to measure the subject's dynamic balance ability every two days through the entire session. Results: After participating in the program, the subject's dynamic balance ability improved compared to the first baseline, as measured by BBS (2 points increased), FTSST (5.3 sec decreased), and TUGT (2 sec decreased). The increase was also maintained in the second baseline session. Conclusion: PNF exercise using bilateral scapula patterns with a stabilizing reversal technique helps to enhance the dynamic balance ability of a cerebellar injury patient.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.75-83
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise on the range of motion (ROM), pain, and functional activity of patients who received total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data regarding the use of PNF exercise among patients with musculoskeletal disease. Methods: Fourteen patients who received TKA were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=7) that took part in PNF exercise and a control group (n=7) that performed general rehabilitation exercise. Both groups performed the respective exercises for 30 minutes, five times a week for 2 weeks. For the measurement of ROM, the range of knee flexion was measured using a clinometer smartphone application. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for the measurement of the level of pain. The timed up and go test (TUG) was conducted to measure functional activity. A paired t-test was performed to compare within-group changes before and after the PNF exercise. Differences between the experimental group and control group were analyzed by an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: After the exercise, there was a significant within-group change in VAS and TUG scores in the experimental group and control group (p<0.01). There was also a significant between-group difference in VAS and TUG scores after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: General rehabilitation exercise is commonly applied as a treatment for TKA patients and is relatively effective. The application of PNF exercise may be useful in such patients, considering its effects on ROM improvement, pain reduction, and functional enhancement.