• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.421-429
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• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated the relationship between pelvic pressure and irradiation of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper arm pattern exercises with an elastic band while in a sitting position. Methods: Fourteen subjects with asymptomatic pelvic pressure participated in this study. Pelvic pressure was measured using a Gaitview® system while sitting and performing PNF bilateral upper arm patterns. Resistance strength was provided by the blue elastic band. The statistical significance of the results was evaluated using a repeated one-way ANOVA and the independent t-test. The Bonferroni method was used for the post-hoc test. Results: The results revealed a significant change in the pelvic pressure when performing the PNF arm pattern. The average resistance pressure on the pelvis, with the elastic band, significantly increased after the initial sitting position (F=3.91, 3.92; p<0.05). No significant pelvic pressure changes were noted for each PNF upper arm pattern (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed a positive relationship between pelvic pressure and the irradiation of PNF upper arm pattern exercises with resistance in the sitting position.

• 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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.9-23
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) exercise on body functions(gait, balance, lower extremity power) of elderly women. Methods : This study applied PNF exercise in a fall prevention program in addition to fall prevention seminars to an experimental group of 15 subjects and applied only fall prevention seminars to a control group of 15 subjects. The PNF exercise consisted of three sessions per week for 8 weeks and fall prevention seminars were composed of three times educations(0th, 4th, and 8th week). As a result of statistical analyses, following conclusions were obtained. Results : A 8-week PNF exercise significantly improved gait function and balance functions, lower extremity functions of elderly women. Conclusion : The PNF exercise in a fall prevention program was found to be effective to improve body functions(gait, balance, lower extremity power) of elderly women. In other words, the PNF exercise needs to be considered as an effective intervention for elderly women in order to strengthen their body functions and in fall prevention program.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of close kinetic chain(CKC) and open kinetic chain(OKC) posion on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation applied to the unilateral upper extremity on the muscle activation of lower extremity. All subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: open kinetic chain group(n=5),closed kinetic chain group(n=5). All participants were PNF patterns applied on the unilateral upper extremity in all subjects were the kinetic chain(CKC) and open kinetic chain(OKC) posion on flexion/abduction/external rotation. The hold and approximation techniques for the irradiation were applied to end range. All measurements for each subject took the following tests: pre-test, post - test in 4weeks, post-testin 8weeks. EMG data was collected from the vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscle of both lower extreamity using surface EMG system, Each EMG value in individual muscle was normalized for maximal voluntary contraction. The data were analyzed using Two-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) with repeated measures to determine the statistical significances. The results of this study are summarized as follows. First, during for close kinetic chain(CKC) and open kinetic chain(OKC) posion on PNF pattern application, all of the %MVIC values of close kinetic chain and open kinetic chain posion increased sign ificantly compared(p<0.05). Second, The close kinetic chain(CKC) and open kinetic chain(OKC) posion on PNF pattern application was significantly increased with in the intervention period(p<.05). Third, there was a no significant open kinetic chain posion on PNF pattern application of sing muscle group with in the intervention period.(p<0.05) there was a significant close kinetic chain posion on PNF pattern application of sing muscle group with with in the intervention period(p<0.05). Forth, interaction of the exercise position and muscle was also significant. Post-hoc tests revealed that the activation levels of vastus medialis muscle and tibialis anterior muscle was higher in the closed kinetic chain position(p<.05). that the activation levels of vastus medialis and gastrocnemius muscle was higher in the open kinetic chain position(p<.05). In conclusion, it was found that the application of PNF patterns to the unilateral upper extremity effect on the muscle activation of lower extremity and both open kinetic chain exercise and closed kinetic chain exercise was significantly increased muscle activity. Further studies are needed to analyzed long term effects and subjects resulting from these changed.

• 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.197-202
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) program on neck pain, cervical range of motion, pressure pain, and the cervical flexion-relaxation ratio in a visual display terminal (VDT) worker. Methods: We recruited a 33-year-old VDT worker diagnosed with chronic VDT syndrome. The subject was treated using a PNF program for 20 minutes a day, three times a week for six weeks. All evaluations were performed every two weeks on the first test day. Results: The PNF program resulted in a significant improvement in the subject's neck pain, cervical range of motion, pressure pain, and the cervical flexion-relaxation ratio after six weeks, in comparison to the subject's condition before treatment. Conclusion: The PNF program can be used effectively to improve neck pain, cervical range of motion, pressure pain, and the cervical flexion-relaxation ratio in visual display terminal (VDT) workers.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.195-200
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• 2017

Purpose: This study attempts to identify the effects of stretching and core exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the pain and functional disability index of patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 20 patients with chronic lower back pain were randomly divided into either the experimental group (n=10), who received PNF stretching and core exercise, or the control group (n=10), who received conventional physiotherapy. Both interventions were applied three times a week for six weeks. The visible analogue scale (VAS) was measured in order to determine the level of pain, while the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to measure the change in the functional disability index. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group change before and after the intervention. To compare the between-group difference, we used an independent t-test. The statistical significance level was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ for all the variables. Results: The experimental group showed a significant within-group change in both the VAS and the ODI (p<0.01). The control group also showed a significant change (p<0.01). A significant difference was observed between the experimental group and the control group with regard to the change in both the VAS and the ODI after the interventions (p<0.01). Conclusion: In this study, the application of stretching and core exercise using PNF for subjects who complain of chronic lower back pain proved effective in reducing both pain and functional disability. We therefore expect that this intervention can be applied in the future as a useful program for patients with chronic lower back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck stabilization exercise with PNF for neck alignment, neck disability index, and sitting balance in adults with forward-head posture. Methods: Forty participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the neck stabilization exercise group (NSG, n = 20) and the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation neck pattern exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) were studied 30 minutes a day three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes were measured using cranial vertical angle (CVA), the Korean version of the neck disability index (KNDI), anterior limit of stability (ALOS), and posterior limit of stability (PLOS) before and after the intervention period. Results: There were significant effects in the CVA and the KNDI of both groups pre- and post-intervention. There were significant effects in ALOS and PLOS in the PNFG pre- and post-intervention compared with the NSG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that PNF with neck exercise could be beneficial to the static balance of adults with forward-head posture.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in functional assessment measures (FAMs) and spatiotemporal gait parameters (STGPs) in healthy older adults before and after a 6-week intervention of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training program. Methods: Thirty healthy older adults (mean age: $73.37{\pm}1.21$ age range: 65-79) were randomly assigned either to an experimental group (participating in a 6-week intervention of PNF training) or a control group (only performing daily activities). Participants in the control group did not receive any training program. Performance was assessed by recording changes in the FAMs and STGPs using functional assessment tools and GAITRite. Results: Participants in the PNF group showed significantly improved functional assessment measures and increased stride length, cadence, velocity, and step width (p<0.05). No significant differences in FAMs and STGPs were found in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Participation in a PNF training program improves FAMs and STGPs, thereby increasing the ability of healthy older adults to maintain dynamic balance during functional performance and gait. These findings support the use of PNF training programs as effective fall-prevention programs for the elderly.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of an intervention based on the concept of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the weight-supporting ability, fear of falling, and stair-walking ability of stroke patients. Methods: One pretest, three intervention sessions, and one posttest were conducted. In the tests, weight-supporting ability, manual muscle strength, the fear of falling, and the time to go up and down a 'ㄱ'-shaped stair-walking machine were measured and compared. The intervention was implemented for 30 minutes per day for three days in combination with general rehabilitation. The intervention was planned and implemented based on the concept of PNF, and the goal was for the subjects, after their consent, to walk backward down the stairs. Results: After the intervention, functional improvement was seen in weight-supporting ability and the fear of falling felt when walking down the stairs. Whereas the subjects could not perform the task of walking down the stairs on the 'ㄱ'-shaped stair-walking machine in the pretest, they could perform the task in the posttest, and their stair-climbing speed was greater than before the intervention. Conclusion: This study verified that a PNF-based intervention can improve stroke patients' weight-supporting ability and stair-walking ability. Therefore, this intervention can be clinically applied to stroke patients.