• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine activities of the scapular stabilizers during push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises. Methods : 9 subjects performed randomly push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises in four point kneeling. The activities of 4 scapular stabilizing muscles were compared between push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises. Results : PNF backward rocking exercise showed significantly higher lower trapezius and lower serratus anterior activations compared to push-up plus exercise. Push-up plus exercise showed significantly higher middle serratus anterior activation than PNF backward rocking exercise. Conclusion : PNF backward rocking exercise facilitates the lower trapezius and serratus anterior activations compared to push-up plus exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.505-512
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study applied computerized cognitive therapy and proprioception exercise to stroke patients and analyzed improvement in their changes in Electrocephalogram(EEG). METHODS: The subjects were 30 patients who were diagnosed with stroke and they were randomly selected to a proprioceptive training group(n=15), a cognitive training group(n=15). The experiment was performed for three times per week for 6 weeks and EEG was measured before and after the experiment. RESULT: Before and after the experiment in each group of experiments, the ${\alpha}$-and ${\beta}$-wave study showed significant changes but, there was no significant difference in the change between groups before and after the experiment. CONCLUSION: From the above results, the cognitive training and the proprioception training have a positive impact in stroke patients EEG changes, but it is difficult to suggest a better therapeutic interventions. However, as compared with that the cognitive training that directly involved in the cognitive and brain activation, the proprioception training have changes on brain activation. Therefore, of Clinical therapeutic interventions, the proprioception training can be presented effectively to the changes in brain activation in stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.96-104
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the hip joint strengthening exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the clinical symptoms and the treatment effects in balance, sit to stand, and gait abilities in patients with TBI. Design: A single case study. Methods: A 13-year-old adolescent with quadriplegia and hip joint control impairment participated in this four-week training intervention. The patient, diagnosed with TBI, wastreated with hip joint strengthening exercises using PNF. In the first week, we focused on strengthening the body, relaxing the hip flexors and activating the hip extensor muscles in order to solve the patient's physical function and body structure. From the 2nd and 4th week, we improved the motivation through the task-oriented method, and then weight-bearing training of the right lower extremity was proceeded by kicking a soccor ball with the left lower extremity. The exercises were performed for 4 weeks, 5 days a week, for 60 minutes with the exercise intensity gradually increased according to the subject's physical abilities. Results: As a result of the study, the patient demonstrated improvements in the physical examination, which were evaluated before and after intervention and included the manual muscle test, modified Ashworth scale, sensory assessment, coordination assessment, Berg balance scale, 5-time sit to stand test, and the 10 meters walk test. Conclusions: The results of this case suggest that a hip joint strengthening exercise program using PNF may improve hip control ability, balance, sit to stand and gait ability in a patient with TBI.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.317-332
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• 2018

Purpose: Patients with tibial fractures can have functional problems with balance and gait, as well as lower extremity muscle weakness. This case report aimed to describe the effect of hip joint strengthening exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on balance and gait and lower limb function in a patient with tibia fracture. Methods: One patient diagnosed with tibial fracture was treated for seven weeks with the basic procedure, pattern, and technique of PNF for a hip joint strengthening exercise. Results: The results of pre- and post-intervention treatment showed improvements in physical function and structure in the clinical tests, including the manual strength test; the modified Ashworth scale; sensory evaluation; balance, sit-to-stand, and gait performance; and evaluation of lower limb function. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that the use of theory-based proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulation for hip joint strengthening exercises positively affects patients' functional improvement in tibial fracture patients, and this may be used as a therapeutic exercise method for those with orthopedic problems in the lower extremities. One limitation of this study was that it was performed on only one tibia fracture patient, which makes it difficult to extend the treatment effects to all patients with this condition.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.85-96
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• 2017

Purpose: Peripheral neuropathy accompanied by sensory disturbance, such as limb paralysis and hemiplegia, is mainly caused by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This case study aimed to determine the effect of ankle strengthening exercises that use proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the gait, balance, ankle-control ability, and sit-to-stand ability on a patient with ADEM. Methods: A 10-year-old male with quadriplegia and ankle-control impairment participated in this 4-week training intervention. The patient, diagnosed with ADEM, was treated with ankle strengthening exercises that used PNF. Results: The patient demonstrated improvements in balance, ankle-control ability, sit-to-stand ability, and gait performance. Outcome measures (manual muscle test, modified Ashworth scale, sensory assessment, coordination assessment, Berg balance scale, 5 time sit-to-stand test, and 10 m walk test) were taken before and after the training program. Conclusion: The results of this case suggest that an ankle strengthening exercise that uses PNF can improve the gait, balance, ankle-control ability, and sit-to-stand ability in patients with ADEM. In ADEM, the initial treatment is important, and the use of ankle strengthening exercises with PNF could lead to meaningful results. However, there is limited research due to an insufficient number of cases. In the future, more patients will need to be studied.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.169-174
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of neck exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on dysphagia and neck pain in stroke patients. Methods: This study included 20 patients with stroke who performed the following neck exercises using PNF: flexion, lateral flexion, and rotation. The PNF technique was repeated under the guidance of verbal commands from a physical therapist. The exercise program consisted of 5 times, 30-minute sessions each week for four weeks. The Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the patients before and after the training. Swallowing ability was evaluated using MASA, and the patients' pain was evaluated using VAS. All data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Results: Significant differences were observed for the MASA and VAS in the subjects: MASA was significantly improved (p<0.00) and VAS was significantlyincreased (p<0.00). Conclusion: The neck is a very important part of the body in stroke patients. Neck exercises using PNF are effective for improving dysphagia and decreasing neck pain in patients with stroke. Thus, neck exercises using PNF are very effective for stroke patients, and this approach would be effective in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.249-256
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern exercise using sprinter and skater on balance and gait in the stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-two subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). The experimental group performed PNF pattern exercise using sprinter and skater for 15 minutes with conventional physical therapy for 35 minutes (matt and gait training for 15 minutes + FES stimulation for 20 minutes), while the control group performed only conventional physical therapy for 50 minutes (matt and gait training for 30 minutes + FES stimulation for 20 minutes). Both groups performed therapeutic interventions for five days per week, for a period of four weeks. Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used for assessment of balance, and Timed-Up and Go test (TUG) was used for testing of gait. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in the FRT and the BBS, while the control group did not show significant changes in two measurements. The experimental group also showed significant improvements, however, the control group did not show significant changes in the TUG. In post-values of three measurements, significant differences were observed between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PNF pattern exercise using sprinter and skater may be used to improve balance and gait function in stroke patients. Thus, we suggested that PNF pattern exercise using sprinter and skater would be a therapeutic intervention in stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare combined exercise program group to conventional physiotherapy for patients with chronic neck pain. Methods : Participants were randomly allocated to two groups by experimental(n=17) and control(n=17). Combined exercise program group involved stretching, stability, strengthening and endurance, proprioceptive exercises along with an educational programme. Patient attended for 60min, three times a weeks. Control group was treated as conventional physiotherapy on 40 min, three times a weeks. Outcome variables included pain, disability, range of motion, fatigability at 0 and 6 weeks. Results : Pain, Disability Index, Fatigability significantly decreased(p<.05) and Range of motion improved significantly after active exercise program(p<.05). In conclusion. Combined exercise program improves pain and disability, range of motion, fatigability. Conclusion : These results suggest that combined exercise program is suitable for chronic neck pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.21-27
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate PNF exercise, the athletic performances and the ability of exercise capacity in Taekwondo. Methods : This is a literature study with books and articles, seminar note and books for PNF international course. Results : The PNF exercise was efficient at improving flexibility and muscle strengthening in Taekwondo athletes. Kinematic characters of Yupchagi and Dollyuchagi in Taekwondo were analogous to Lower extremity Flexion-Abduction-Internal Rotation patterns in PNF, and the kinematic character of Apchagi was to analogous to Lower extremity Flexion-Adduction-External Rotation pattern in PNF. Movements of Upper extremities and Lower extremities during kicking were similar to PNF patterns. The PNF is efficient at improving athletic performances and the ability of exercise capacity in Taekwondo. Conclusion : The result of this study showed that PNF patterns and kicking that is one of the basic movement in Taekwondo have many similarities. With that PNF patterns was the training methods to improve flexibility and muscle strengthening, PNF patterns are considered to improve athletic performances and the ability of exercise capacity in Taekwondo.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2020

Purpose : Proprioceptive position sense plays a key role in providing joint stability, and multiple factors are related to proprioceptive position sense. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of body composition, particularly skeletal muscle mass on proprioceptive position sense following muscle fatigue. Methods : Healthy female subjects agreed to have their body composition analyzed. Only subjects who had 18.5-22.9 kg/㎡ of BMI (body mass index) were included in this study, and the participants were divided into two groups by skeletal muscle mass level. The experimental group had a level of skeletal muscle lower than the standard level (n=9), while the control group showed a standard or high level of skeletal muscle mass (n=11). To determine the change in proprioceptive position sense of the knee joint, the absolute angle error (AAE) was evaluated following muscle fatigue on low extremity. The muscle fatigue was induced by isokinetic resistance exercise program of Biodex system. AAE was measured by the Biodex system and compared the result before and after muscle fatigue. Results : The experimental group showed a significant AAE difference between before (3.16±2.48 °) and after (5.40±2.61 °) muscle fatigue. In addition, there was a AAE difference between the experimental (5.40±2.61 °) and control groups (3.53±1.67 °) after fatigue; however, there was no significance. Those results indicated that low level of skeletal muscle mass might influence the proprioceptive position sense of the knee joint after muscle fatigue. Conclusion : Thus, maintaining the proper level of skeletal muscle mass is pivotal to reduce the risk of injury following muscle fatigue in ADL or sport activities.