Earticle

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.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of mirror-neuron-system-based action observation physical training on improvements in upper extremity functions and daily living activities in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Ten chronic stroke patients were randomly selected. As a therapeutic intervention, along with conventional occupational therapy, the patients engaged in action observation physical training through repeated imitation practices after they viewed a video. The therapeutic intervention was implemented for 20 minutes, three times each week for eight weeks. A Manual Function Test (MFT) was conducted to compare upper extremity functions before and after the therapeutic intervention, and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) was used to compare the ability to perform daily living activities. Results: Significant improvements in upper extremity motor functions and the ability to perform daily living activities were shown after the intervention. The subjects’ left upper extremity motor functions and ability to perform daily living activities showed significant improvement after the intervention. Conclusion: The study’s results indicate that action observation physical training based on the mirror neuron system improves chronic stroke patients’ upper extremity motor functions and their ability to perform daily living activities. Therefore, action observation training has positive effects on the functional recovery of chronic stroke patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower extremity patterns combined with elastic bands applied to stroke patients diagnosed with hemiplegia through self-training using the non-paralyzed side approach and the paralyzed side approach, and to investigate the differences in the effects. Methods: Nine chronic stroke patients who were being treated not more than twice a week at H, K, R, and C hospitals located in Gangwon-do, performed self-training for 16 minutes, two times per day for four weeks between August and October 2015. The subjects’ balance ability was measured using the Tetrax stability index, the weight distribution index, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test before the experiment and four weeks later. Among the statistical methods, paired t-tests were conducted for intra-group comparison of the measurements taken before and after the experiment, and independent t-tests were conducted for inter-group comparison of the ex post facto values. The statistical significance level was set to 0.05. Results: When the lower extremity patterns were applied to the non-paralyzed side group and the paralyzed side group, significant intra-group differences were observed for the Tetrax stability index, the weight distribution index, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests (p<0.05); however, the inter-group comparisons showed no significant differences. Conclusion: The non-paralyzed side approach was found to be easy for patients to participate in and it also affected the patients’ paralyzed side. Although the paralyzed side approach produced good exercise effects in a short period of time, it could result in adverse effects, such as a decrease in motivation and self-confidence. Therefore, these approaches are considered to be more effective when they are selectively applied depending on the purpose of the intervention and the degree of a patient’s’ participation.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper and lower limb coordinated exercises on balance in elderly women. Methods: The study was conducted with 27 elderly women who were at least 65-year-old. The subjects were randomly assigned to a PNF upper and lower limb coordinated exercise group consisting of 14 subjects and an aero step balance exercise group consisting of 13 subjects, and the exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times per week, for eight weeks. One Leg Stance Tests (OLST), Functional Reaching Tests (FRT), Four Square Step Tests (FSST), and Timed Up and Go (TUB) tests were conducted before and after the exercises to evaluate the subjects’ static balance ability and dynamic balance ability. Among the collected data, the subjects’ general characteristics were evaluated using descriptive statistics, the intra-group differences of the test results before and after the intervention were compared using paired sample t-tests, and the inter-group differences in the results before and after the intervention were evaluated using independent sample t-tests. The statistical significance level was set to 0.05. Results: Among the OLST, FRT, FSST, and TUG tests, the experimental group showed positive FSST results that were statistically significantly greater than the control group; the results of the other tests were also more positive for this group, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. The magnitude of the effects for both groups was clinically significant. Conclusion: Since inter-limb coordinated exercises for PNF applied to elderly women were found to produce good results for both static balance ability and dynamic balance ability, these exercises can be used in exercise programs to improve balance in elderly women.

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.

Purpose: Deficits in lower-extremity function and trunk control ability have a negative impact on individuals with hemiplegia. This case report aimed to describe the effect of trunk stability exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on trunk control ability, balance, and gait in a patient with hemiplegia. Methods: A 77-year-old man with hemiplegia and trunk and lower extremity impairment participated in this four-week training intervention. Results: The patient demonstrated improvements in trunk control ability, balance, and gait performance. Outcome measures (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), Trunk Control Test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, 10 Meter Walk test) were measured before and after the training program. Conclusion: The results of this case suggest that a trunk stability exercise using a PNF program may improve trunk control ability, balance, and gait in a patient with hemiplegia.