• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of Jeonbuk tri-pull taping and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise on the shoulder's active range of motion, pain, subluxation, upper extremity function, and activities of daily living in patients with stroke. Methods: In this study, Jeonbuk tri-pull taping and PNF exercise were applied to three patients with stroke and subluxation. The tape was removed and new tape applied for two days every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday over six consecutive weeks. PNF exercise was applied five times a week for six weeks. To measure the range of motion, a smart phone clinometer application was used, and the degree of pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). A jig measuring method was employed to measure the distance of subluxation. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was used to evaluate arm function, and the modified Barthel Index (MBI) was employed to evaluate the activities of daily living. Results: The shoulder's active range of motion was improved in the patients compared to the range of pre-tests, and the pain and subluxation distance were reduced compared to those of pre-tests. Arm function and activities of daily living were increased compared to those of pre-tests. Conclusion: The study results verified that Jeonbuk tri-pull taping and PNF exercise are useful when applied to patients with subluxation and stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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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.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.165-172
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• 2021

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training on Gait. We included all randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training on gait ability control in patients after stroke. This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. CINAHL, PubMed and RISS were searched for studies published up to December 2020, and all randomized controlled trails assessing PNF intervention were included. This analysis included only randomized controlled trials. A total of 12 studies were selected from 1475 records obtained from the databases. The meta-analysis was performed using the R software. The overall intervention effect was moderate (standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50-0.84). Additionally, Gait rite (SMD: 0.69), 10m walking test (SMD: 0.59) had medium effect sizes. These findings indicate that PNF is an effective intervention for improving gait ability in patients stroke.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.66-76
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to compare the integrated electromyographic activity ratios of vastus lateralis(VL); rectus femoris lateral portion (RFL); rectus femoris medial portion(RFM); and vastus medialis(VM) muscles of 30 healthy subjects under three proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) techniques. Each subject was randomly assigned to one of 3 PNF techniques groups : slow reversal(SR), slow reversal hold(SRH) and rhythmic stabilization (RS). Each person was positioned in supine with the right hip flexed to $45^{\circ}$ and the knee fully extended and received a total of 6 sessions. Each technique was applied to the right lower extremity in two diagonal patterns while electrical activity was monitored from the ipsilateral muscles VL, RFL, RFM, and VM, respectively. Comparison of normalized mean EMG magnitudes from VL, VM showed that RS demonstrated significantly greater activity than that of SR or SRH and that RFL and RFM did not demonstrate any greater relative EMG activity with the three PNF techniques than did VL or VM.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.195-202
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of applying proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) leg patterns on the activation of three types of mesogluteal fibers at the opposite side. Methods: The target subjects of this study were 19 healthy men who voluntarily agreed to participate in the program. For all subjects, the following four PNF leg patterns were applied while they were in a standing position, and then, the activation of the gluteus medius at the opposite side was measured: (1) flexion abduction internal rotation pattern, (2) flexion adduction external rotation pattern, (3) extension abduction internal rotation pattern, and (4) extension adduction external rotation pattern. In each position, a pattern was executed three times in 5 s, and the average of each measurement was used for the statistics. Results: Among the PNF leg patterns, the activation of the mesogluteal fibers at the opposite side was most significant under the application of the extension abduction internal rotation pattern. The activation of the back muscular fiber was significantly high under the application of the flexion abduction internal rotation pattern. Conclusion: Selective application of PNF leg patterns can improve the functional activity of each mesogluteal fiber.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.3
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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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study was conducted to find correct facilitation and clinical facilitation with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Methods : This is a literature study with books, articles, seminar note and books for PNF international course. Results : Treatment approach was changed from managements of reflex to facilitation. The facilitation will make passive or active motion. But it can not match with normal functional activities, lack of the active movement, and facilitation of musculoskeletal can interaction with environment. Conclusions : Facilitation of the Functional activities in the main therapy goal. Any necessary information, such as visual and acoustical information must be integrated. Spatial summation and temporal summation integrated also. Integrated information for the facilitation will be increased activity of alpha-motorneurons, activity of interneurons, and muscle fiber structural changes from slow twitch fibers to fast twitch fibers. Suggested facilitate goal-oriented of movements at a functional level and reduce stiffness at structural level.