Year: 2025 | Month: April | Volume: 15 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 336-343
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20250447
Effectiveness of Lower Limb Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on ADL in Stroke Subjects
Shantanu Sharma1, Dr. Shailendra Mehta2
1Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Physiotherapy, 2Professor, Department of Physiotherapy,
Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Corresponding Author: Shantanu Sharma
ABSTRACT
Background: One of the main causes of disability is stroke, which frequently results in decreased motor function and a diminished capacity to perform daily living activities (ADLs). The rehabilitation method known as Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) enhances neuromuscular control, strength, and coordination, which may improve functional independence in stroke survivors.
Objective: This study sought to assess the efficacy of lower limb PNF in improving ADL performance in individuals with chronic stroke.
Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted with 30 Patients with chronic stroke were randomized to an experimental group. (n=15) receiving PNF-based lower limb training and a control group (n=15) undergoing conventional physiotherapy. Used the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test to assess functional mobility and the Barthel Index (BI) was used to evaluate the ADL performance before and after the four-week intervention.
Results: Comparing the control group to the experimental group showed notable gains in ADL. The BI scores rose from an average of 60.3 to 75.6 (p=0.000), while the control group showed a smaller increase from 59.8 to 68.2 (p=0.003). Similarly, the TUG test performance improved significantly in the experimental group (pre-test: 27.5 sec, post-test: 21.3 sec, p=0.000) in contrast to the control group (pre-test: 28.1 sec, post-test: 24.8 sec, p=0.004). Independent t-tests confirmed a significant difference between groups (BI: t=2.98, p=0.002; TUG: t=3.21, p=0.001).
Conclusion: Lower limb PNF effectively enhances functional mobility and ADL performance in stroke patients by improving neuromuscular coordination, strength, and postural control. Incorporating PNF into stroke rehabilitation programs may promote increased self-reliance and a higher standard of living. Further research is advised to investigate long-term impacts and suitability for varying stroke severity.
Key words: Stroke, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, ADL, rehabilitation, functional mobility, postural control.