• PNF and Movement
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.11-20
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out which method is efficient to enhance the flexibility of lower back between PNF(Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), static and dynamic stretching. Methods : Subjects were 30 young people between the ages 17 and 19. They were randomly divided into three groups; static group(n=10) performed a static stretching, dynamic group(n=10) performed a dynamic stretching, and PNF group(n=10) performed a PNF stretching. Intervention was provided 5 days per week for 4 weeks. For each case, Trunk flexion forward, trunk flexion backward, trunk left lateral bending, trunk right lateral bending, trunk flexion forward a measuring instrument and tapeline were performed to measured the flexibility of lower back at different times(before starting the exercise, after 4 weeks). Results : The results of the study reveal that the lower back flexibility was a statistically significant difference in all groups(p<.05). There was statistically significant difference between PNF group and static group, PNF group and dynamic group. Conclusion : The finding indicated that PNF may be preferred technique for improving flexibility, and that flexibility training results in an increased consistency of flexibility scores.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.275-283
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• 2022

Purpose: This study focused on reviewing articles published in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and Movement to identify the current research trends featured in the journal. Methods: First, the most frequently used keywords in the 193 studies published in 2018 volume 16, issue 1, to 2021 volume 19, issue 3, were identified to determine the popularity of different topics. Information on the following parameters was collected for each study: research type, level of the study, research topic, diagnosis, application of PNF, and techniques applied. Results: Over the four-year period reviewed, "stroke" was the most frequently used keyword, followed by "balance" and "PNF." In terms of research type, observational analytical studies were the most frequently reported (52.85%), and experimental studies were the second-most common (37.82%). Regarding the research level, it was found that level 5 studies were the most frequent, at 49.74%, and level 2 studies accounted for 28.5% of the publications. Most of the studies stated "stroke patient" (26.42%) as the study diagnosis, except for the studies that recruited healthy people (36.79%). The majority of studies did not implement PNF treatments (15.54%), but a combination of isotonic techniques was most commonly used when PNF was applied. Conclusion: A broad range of topics and types of studies have recently been featured in the journal, including neurological impairments and musculoskeletal disorders. The findings of this review provide insight into future research trends and the direction of the journal PNF and Movement.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.27-35
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of Contract-Relax Technique of PNF(Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) and taping treatment on the ROM(Range of Motion), pain and gait speed of osteoarthrits of knee. Methods : In this study K hall for the aged were selected. Twenty-six subjects with osteoarthrits participated in the experiment. The subjects were partitioned into two groups are 13person PNF group and 13person taping group. All subjects randomly assigned to the PNF treatment group and taping treatment group. Both group received treatment for 3times a week during 4 weeks. (PNF group received treatment for twenty times at once). Algometer and VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) were used to measure pain, the ROM was meaured using goniometer and gait speed was measured using a stopwatch (30m-test). All measurements of each subject were measured at pre-treatment and post-treatment. The data were analyzed with SPSS WIN 11.5 using t-test. Results : The PNF group had a significantly increase of knee extension ROM and significantly decrease of pain after treatment 4 weeks(P<0.05). The taping group had a significantly increase of knee extension ROM and gait speed and significantly decrease of pain after treatment 4 weeks(P<0.05). Conclusion : These data suggests that PNF is beneficial to increase knee extension ROM and to decrease pain. Taping is beneficial to increase knee extension ROM and gait speed and to decrease of pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.113-120
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the intramuscular activation of the scapular stabilizing muscles and the upper trapezius/middle serratus anterior (UT/MSA) ratios during shrug exercise and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) scapular pattern exercise. Methods: The participants of this study were 13 young adult men who voluntarily consented to participate in this experiment after listening to its purpose and methods. All participants were instructed on maximal voluntary isometric contraction and scapular exercises. The intramuscular activation of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), middle serratus anterior (MSA), and lower serratus anterior (LSA) muscles while performing scapular exercises in a side-lying position were measured using surface electromyography. To analyze the muscle activation and UT/MSA ratio between the two exercises, a one-way repeated ANOVA was performed. Post-hoc analyses were conducted using Tukey's multiple comparison and analysis. Hamstring flexibility for each group was measured by a passive straight leg raising test. Results: The shrug exercise showed significantly higher UT activation compared to PNF anterior elevation and posterior elevation scapular patterns. The PNF scapular anterior elevation pattern showed significantly higher serratus anterior activation than the shrug exercise. Additionally, the UT/MSA ratios were significantly lower in the PNF scapular anterior elevation pattern than in the two exercises. Conclusion: Although shrug exercise was effective for strengthening UT, the PNF scapular anterior elevation pattern may be effective for strengthening MSA and improving the UT/MSA ratio.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.255-263
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower extremity pattern on the dominant leg on muscle activity of the lower extremity supported by the ground. Methods: The subjects were 20 healthy males living in Busan. All subjects performed four direction PNF lower extremity patterns, and data were collected by surface electromyography from the gluteus medius (GM), tensor fascia latae (TFL), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), and semitendinosus (STD) muscles of the opposite lower extremity during PNF lower extremity pattern. The PNF lower extremity pattern applied to the dominant leg was (1) flexion/adduction/external rotation with knee flexion; (2) extension/abduction/internal rotation with knee extension; (3) flexion/abduction/internal rotation with knee flexion; and (4) extension/adduction/external rotation with knee extension pattern, repeated 3 times per pattern and using the average value of the collected results. Collected muscle activity values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc Tukey testing was performed to check between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.05. Results: GM and TFL flexion/abduction/internal rotation pattern with knee flexion was significantly higher than other patterns. VMO and VLO extension/adduction/external rotation pattern with knee extension was significantly higher than other patterns. STD flexion/adduction/external rotation pattern with knee flexion was significantly higher than other patterns. Conclusion: The study confirms differences in lower extremity muscle activity for the PNF lower extremity pattern, indicating that selective muscle contraction induction is possible using a pattern appropriate to the purpose of treatment.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.19-26
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in urinary frequency, residual urine volume, and quality of life following pelvic floor exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise patterns and EMG biofeedback training in patients with stress urinary incontinence. Methods: The subjects were male patients diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence. This study used a single system design (A-B-C.) At baseline, the patients' symptoms prior to the treatment intervention were recorded (A section). Next, the patients performed the PNF exercise (B section). Thereafter, they performed the PNF exercise, with EMG biofeedback (C section). The subjects performed the exercises in each section for 1 week for a total of 3 weeks. Urinary frequency, residual urine volume, and quality of life of the subjects were measured. Results: The frequency of urination was 9 times in A, 8 times in A 'and B, and 7 times in C. The amount of residual urine decreased from 23.78ml in A to 21.85ml in A ', 14.85ml in B, and 14.63ml in C. The international prostate symptom score was 16 points in A, 14 points in A ', 11 points in B, and 7 points at A. The quality of life score was 4 points in A, 4 points in A ', 3 points in B, and 2 points in A. Conclusion: Both the PNF exercise and EMG biofeedback decreased urination frequency and residual urine volume and improved the quality of life of patients with stress urinary incontinence. EMG biofeedback training using the PNF technique was the most effective.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.401-412
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• 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the effect of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercise on pain, shoulder range of motion, and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) in patients with frozen shoulder. Methods: Following baseline measurements, 30 subjects (n=30) with frozen shoulder were randomized into two groups: the PNF group (n=15), which received PNF strength training of the lower trapezius muscles, and the control group (n=15), which received gentle palpation of the skin. Each group participated in the intervention for 30 minutes, three times per week, for six weeks. The visual analogue scales for pain, range of motion, and SPADI of both groups were recorded at both pre- and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes in the post-intervention period compared with pre-intervention, and independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the six-week intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased pain and SPADI (p < 0.05) and significantly increased shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation range of motion (p < 0.05). The PNF group that received the PNF strength exercise of the lower trapezius muscles showed greater improvements in pain and range of motion than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the PNF lower trapezius strengthening exercise reduces shoulder pain and disability levels and enhances shoulder range of motion in patients with frozen shoulder.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.137-146
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• 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercise on pain, cervical range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI) in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: Following baseline measurements, the subjects (n = 30) with chronic neck pain were randomized into two groups: the PNF group (n = 15) that received PNF strength training of the lower trapezius muscles or a control group (n = 15) that received gentle palpation of the skin. Each group participated in the intervention for 30 min, three times per week for six weeks. The visual analogue scale for pain, ROM, and NDI of both groups were recorded at both pre- and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes in the post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, and independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the six-week intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased pain and NDI (p < 0.05) and significantly increased cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM (p < 0.05). The PNF group that received PNF strength exercise of the lower trapezius muscles showed greater improvements in pain and NDI and cervical rotation of ROM than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the PNF lower trapezius strengthening exercise reduces neck pain and disability level and enhances cervical ROM in patients with chronic neck pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.27-32
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined changes in gait speed and stride length after an intervention involving simultaneous scapular and pelvic patterns of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in a hemiplegic patient. Methods: A 58-year-old woman with left hemiplegia who had complained of slowness of gait speed and weakness of leg strength took part in an intervention involving scapular postdepression patterns on the affected side and pelvic postdepression patterns on the nonaffected side. The intervention was performed with the patient lying on her left side, in a half kneeling position, and in a standing posture. Rhythmic initiation was used for teaching the movements to the patient and improvement of kinesthesia, and a combination of isotonic was employed for increasing strength and irradiation of the scapula and pelvic movement. The intervention took place for 30 min. It was implemented twice a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. After three repetitions, the average time taken to complete the 10-m walk test (10 MWT), in addition to stride length, was measured to determine gait speed. Results: After the 3-week program, the patient's performance in the 10 MWT improved from 21.7sec to 17.1sec, and her stride length improved from 31.4cm to 38.7cm. Conclusion: The results showed that trunk movement exercise, especially coordinative movements of the scapula and pelvis can improve gait speed and stride length by increasing trunk stability and mobility. A combination of pelvic and scapular patterns can facilitate trunk rotation, thereby improving gait speed and stride length.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.278-281
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to compare the muscle activity of the deltoid muscle according to the range of motion during the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper extremity D2 pattern exercise performed with an isokinetic exercise device. The aim was to provide basic data for selecting an exercise for the relevant segment of the range of motion to enhance function in clinical practice. Methods: In this study, the relevant measurements of the anterior and middle trapezius of 25 healthy adults were taken using a surface electromyography system. The upper extremity pattern exercise was performed in three ranges (0% to 50%, 50% to 100%, and 25% to 75%) using the upper extremity isokinetic device. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the muscle activity ratios of the anterior and middle deltoid muscles according to the measurement conditions (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the activity ratio of the middle deltoid muscle according to the measurement conditions in the ratio from the start range to the end range (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the muscle onset time difference according to the measurement conditions (p>0.05). Conclusion: The muscle activity of the anterior and middle deltoid muscles was analyzed according to the range of motion during the PNF upper extremity pattern exercise performed with an isokinetic device. The results could be used as a basis for selecting exercises for the relevant segment of the range of motion according to the function to be emphasized.