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Fri, Aug 8, 2025
Volume 23, Issue 3 (September- In Press 2025)
Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2025, 23(3): 0-0 |
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Ethics code: 33395-2022/10/01
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Ali Z, Talib Taha R, Kadhim H. Effectiveness of Strengthening and Stretching by Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique for Hemiplegia Foot Drop Patients. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2025; 23 (3)
URL: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2489-en.html
URL: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2489-en.html
1- Physiotherapy Department, College of Health and Medical Technologies, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq
Abstract: (598 Views)
Objective: To test the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on muscle strength, spasticity, functional mobility, and range of motion in hemiplegic patients with foot drop.
Methods: This was a single-arm, prepost study of 30 adults (21–60 years) with hemiplegic foot drop receiving a 14-week PNF. The interventions included contract-relax stretching, resistance training (D1/D2 diagonal patterns), and functional exercises. The assessed outcomes were muscle strength, spasticity, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), and functional mobility.
Results: Following the intervention, all outcomes significantly improved. Tibialis anterior strengthened grade 2 to 3 (P < 0.001, 𝑟 = 0.62), and 42% achieved grades 4–5. There were large effect sizes for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles (𝑟 = 0.51–0.62). Tibialis anterior spasticity dropped from grade 3 to 2 (P < 0.001, 𝑟 = 0.75), and 68% reached grade ≤ 2. Functional mobility improved by 5.21 cm (P < 0.001, 𝑑 = 0.83), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion increased by 8.5° (P < 0.001, 𝑑 = 0.52).
Conclusion: Diagonal patterns and resistance training decrease the degree of spasticity and increase strength and mobility, making it possible to use this PNF type even in comparison to shorter-term protocols. These findings support the use of PNF to address foot drop in stroke rehabilitation.
Methods: This was a single-arm, prepost study of 30 adults (21–60 years) with hemiplegic foot drop receiving a 14-week PNF. The interventions included contract-relax stretching, resistance training (D1/D2 diagonal patterns), and functional exercises. The assessed outcomes were muscle strength, spasticity, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), and functional mobility.
Results: Following the intervention, all outcomes significantly improved. Tibialis anterior strengthened grade 2 to 3 (P < 0.001, 𝑟 = 0.62), and 42% achieved grades 4–5. There were large effect sizes for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles (𝑟 = 0.51–0.62). Tibialis anterior spasticity dropped from grade 3 to 2 (P < 0.001, 𝑟 = 0.75), and 68% reached grade ≤ 2. Functional mobility improved by 5.21 cm (P < 0.001, 𝑑 = 0.83), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion increased by 8.5° (P < 0.001, 𝑑 = 0.52).
Conclusion: Diagonal patterns and resistance training decrease the degree of spasticity and increase strength and mobility, making it possible to use this PNF type even in comparison to shorter-term protocols. These findings support the use of PNF to address foot drop in stroke rehabilitation.
Keywords: Hemiplegia, Foot drop, Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), Stroke rehabilitation
Article type: Original Research Articles |
Subject:
Physiotherapy
Received: 2025/03/5 | Accepted: 2025/04/6 | Published: 2025/10/1
Received: 2025/03/5 | Accepted: 2025/04/6 | Published: 2025/10/1
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