The Effectiveness Of Comparing Stretching And PNF In Improving Functional Activity In Stroke Patients
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/ejac.v20i1.1156Keywords:
Stroke, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Stretching, Functional Activity, RehabilitationAbstract
Introduction: Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, significantly affecting individuals' mobility and functional independence. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for stroke survivors. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Stretching and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) in enhancing functional activity in stroke patients. The goal of physiotherapy interventions in stroke rehabilitation is to improve functional activity, reduce impairments, and enhance the quality of life for stroke survivors. Various therapeutic techniques are employed in physiotherapy to achieve these outcomes, with two widely used interventions being stretching exercises and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Both methods aim to improve mobility, flexibility, strength, and coordination, but they differ in their approaches and techniques.
Objectives
1. To evaluate the impact of stretching on stroke rehabilitation.
2. To assess the effectiveness of PNF in improving functional mobility.
3. To compare the efficacy of both techniques in stroke rehabilitation.
Methodology: A total of 40 patients diagnosed with stroke-induced hemiplegia were randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving stretching exercises and the other undergoing PNF training. Outcome measures included Functional Reach Test (FRT), Electromyogram (EMG) readings, and functional mobility scores. Results indicated that while both interventions led to significant improvements, PNF demonstrated superior efficacy in enhancing muscle activation, range of motion, and overall functional activity. These findings suggest that incorporating PNF into stroke rehabilitation programs may yield better outcomes than stretching alone.
Results: The findings show that the two groups' improvements in functional activity differed significantly. When compared to stretching exercises, PNF showed a more noticeable improvement in mobility ratings.
Conclusion: According to this study, PNF is a better strategy for stroke rehabilitation than stretching alone. Although both strategies are beneficial for stroke rehabilitation, PNF offers greater advantages in terms of enhancing functional activity. It is advised to conduct more study with a bigger sample size.
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