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JICETS 2019 IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1529 (2020) 032033 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1529/3/032033

Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on

standing balance control among post stroke patients

Ichsan Pachruddin1, Herdin Rusly1, Fitrah Nasaruddin1

1
Physiotherapy Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University,
Makassar

[email protected]

Abstract. Stroke is a neurological deficit that result of brain malfunction. Approximately 10%
of post-stroke patients have coordination disorders while sitting, standing and walking. This
coordination disorder is caused by several factors such as muscle tone, motoric, sensory,
perception, balance, motion pattern, and associative reactions. Coordination disorder in post-
stroke patients can be treated with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). PNF is a
method of exercise therapy that aims to facilitate the neuromuscular system by stimulating
proprioceptive which in the end will be achieved coordinated ability or movement. This study
aim was to determine the difference between the coordination level of the PNF exercise
frequency given in post-stroke patients. This research is quasi experimental with research
design two group pretest-posttest time design. The sample was 20 people with 6x and 12x PNF
exercise frequency. Main measure that used is a non-equilibrium coordination test pre and post
PNF exercise. The result showed Mann Whitney U test was obtained p value of 0.006 (P<0.05)
which there were differences between PNF exercise frequency given in post-stroke patients.

1. Introduction
Stroke is main cause of physical and disability in adults and still major cause of death in most
countries [1,2,3]. Approximately, 2 million of people suffering the stroke in every year and estimation
of 70%-80% of stroke patients are dependency because of disability [4]. In additions, World Health
Organization (WHO) estimated 6.2 million mortality on the stroke each year, while 100,050 death due
to stroke and leading to second death cause in Brazil for year 2013 [5]. In 2014, stroke is fourth cause
of mortality and disability and stroke patients increases with incidence of 352.3 per 100,000
population in Thailand [6].
The stroke patients are easily to fall down due to balance dysfunction which affected the daily life
activities such as walking [4,7]. The falls lead to impairment in social interaction, less self confidence
and lack on the daily activity participation and contributing decreases in functional activity and
dependence [8]. The balance dysfunction include instability of postural and sway, decreasing in
walking speed, hemiplegic gate pattern and decrease in weight shift to the affected leg [9]. In
additions, 60% of stroke patients have disabilities in the arm or leg and one-third need to stay in the
nursing home or tools dependency for the independent life [10].
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is stretching method utilized to improve the
muscle elasticity and proved to have positive influence on the passive and active motion ranges [11].

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JICETS 2019 IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1529 (2020) 032033 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1529/3/032033

Natarajan et al. (2008) mentioned PNF is effectively used to facilitate the movement in post stroke
patients [12].

2. Methodology
The study was conducted at Asyifa clinic and Physio Sakti clinic Makassar. The study was an
experimental study with pretest-posttest research design. The study population was all stroke patients
who seeking treatment at Asyifa clinic and Physio Sakti clinic Makassar. The samples were 20 post
stroke patients who met the inclusion criteria included be stroke patient (diagnosed by neurologist),
suffered balance disturbance with using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) parameter, attend 12 times of
physiotherapy and willing to be respondents.
The data was collected through primary data which obtained from patient medical record. The
balance-standing ability was measured using 2 times of BBS which measured before being given of
PNF exercises and after being given of 12 times of PNF exercises. The post stroke patient standing
balance was categorized into 3 categories such as lower fall risk, medium fall risk and high falling
risk. The data was analysed with Wilcoxon test by using SPSS program. The Wilcoxon test was
conducted to determine the effect of PNF exercises toward standing balance ability in post stroke
patients. The data was presented in the tables and narratives form.

3. Result and Discussion

3.1. Result

Based on Table 1, there were 9 respondents (45%) aged between 51 years and 60 years and only 1
respondent was aged between 31 years and 40 years. Meanwhile, 10 male respondents (50%) and 10
female respondents (50%) had involved in this study.

Table 1. Respondent characteristic distribution.

Characteristic N %
Age (years old)
31-40 1 5
41-50 6 30
51-60 9 45
61-70 4 20
Total 20 100
Gender
Male 10 50
Female 10 50
Total 20 100

In additions, 5 respondents (25%) was low falling risk in standing balance abilities on pretest while
10 respondents (50%) had low falling risk in standing balance risk. There were 15 respondents (75%)
had medium falling risk in pretest and 10 respondents (50%) had medium falling risk in standing
balance risk during posttest. No respondent had high falling risk in standing balance abilities during
pretest and post-test.

Table 2. Pretest-posttest distribution on standing balance ability.

Standing Low falling risk Medium falling risk High falling risk
balance N % N % N %
abilities

2
JICETS 2019 IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1529 (2020) 032033 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1529/3/032033

Pretest 5 25 15 75 0 0
Posttest 10 50 10 50 0 0
12x

The statistical test showed there was influence between 12 times of PNF exercises toward the
standing balance abilities (p=0.025<0.05). In pretest, the minimum and maximum were 22 and 45 with
median of 32. Furthermore, minimum and maximum of posttest were 33 and 49 with median of 41.

Table 3. Influence of 12 times of PNF exercise toward standing balance ability.

BBS Minimum Maximum Median Sig (P)*

Pretest 22 45 32.00 0.025
Posttest 33 49 41.00

3.2. Discussion
The study found highest number of stroke incidence found in respondents aged between 51 years
and 60 years old. The risk factors of non-modifiable stroke was related to aging process and
modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus.
Furthermore, 10 male respondents and 10 female respondents which gender was not correlated with
the stroke incidence.
In this study, 12 times of PNF exercises had significant influence toward the standing balance
ability in post stroke patients. Tung et al. (2010) found 12 times of PNF exercises had improved
balance and muscle strength for stroke patients [13]. Various exercises like special movement
exercises such as stimulus and PNF exercise, Bridging exercise, core stability and other methods to
activate brain memory. Brain activation is possible because the brain has very special character that
brain is easy to adapt even if the brain neurons was died without regeneration. The ability of
neuroplasticity in the brain allows certain brain parts to take over the function of brain damaged parts.
The stroke were associated with the recovery limitation of the brain function. Although, the peri-
infarct area became more neuroplastic that improved the sensory function of remodeling in the brain
damaged area. The balance effect on the post stroke patient is due to the exercise, while PNF was
more geared towards movement with diagonal and spiral patterns that suitable with movement used in
daily activities. The approach model used was approach based on functional nature. Neuroplasticity
occurred through the synapse latent effectiveness, increased in nerve sensitivity and Akron
regeneration.
Victoria et al. (2013) mentioned PNF exercises helped in muscle strength and endurance
development, joint stability, balance, mobility, neuromuscular control and coordination which aimed
to improve overall stroke functional ability since PNF exercise occurred due strengthening and
functional movement that occurred simultaneously [14].
Most important part is proprioception which maintained the balance. Some sensory receptor types
throughout the skin, muscles, joint and ligaments provided the body ability to recognize both internal
and external environment changes on each joint and ultimately influenced balance improvement. The
body balance is influenced by sensory system found in the human body working simultaneously if any
system is disturbed, there would be imbalance in the body, sensory system that regulated or control the
balance such as visual, vestibular and somatosensory (tactile and proprioceptive).
The occurrence of motor repair changes such as increased muscle strength and walking ability in
post stroke patient is not separated from brain ability able to make structural and functional changes
(plasticity) during given stimulation. Sensory stimulation is experience and action response
(sensorimotor). The information entered and received short-term memory is only biological
phenomenon which lasts several minutes until hours. The learning success occurs when information is
transferred to the long term memory . The information transfers could complete through exercise,

3
JICETS 2019 IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1529 (2020) 032033 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1529/3/032033

repetition, attention and association strategies. Long term memory changed the brain structure with
gene activity, new protein formation and neuron branch cell growth.

4. Conclusion
In conclusion, there was influenced of 12 times of PNF exercises toward the standing balance ability
in post stroke patients. The physiotherapist in the hospital or clinic can choose the modality of PNF
exercise as one modality to improve the standing balance ability of post stroke patients.

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