COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR

FACILITATION TECHNIQUE AND TASK ORIENTED TRAINING ON IMPROVING

FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE AND GAIT PARAMETERS IN HEMIPARETIC STROKE
PATIENTS

INTRODUCTION AND NEED FOR STUDY

Stroke is the most common neurological disorder, representing a major cause of disability. After
stroke, patients present with sensorimotor impairments contralateral to the cerebral lesion that contributes
to limiting their ability to perform functional activities.
PNF is a motor learning approach used to improve motor function and facilitate maximal
muscular contraction and is commonly used to improve the gait of patients with hemiplegia.
Task Oriented Training utilizes a training programme that focuses on specific functional tasks to engage
the systems such as neuromuscular, musculoskeletal etc.
PNF and task oriented training is proven to be effective in improving lower extremity function
such as gait parameters in other neurological diseases such as Cerebral Palsy. This study was carried out
to compare PNF and task oriented training in improving functional mobility and gait parameters in stroke.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
1. Chandan Kumar et al (2016)1 Task Oriented training showed benefits in terms of stride length
and cadence, PNF could show improvement in balance and gait velocity in Cerebral Palsy
patients.
2. Kumar et al (2012)2 concluded that the PNF techniques have significant effect on the functional
mobility and gait parameters in stroke patients.
3. Yang et al (2006)3 The study concluded that task oriented progressive resistance training group
could improve lower extremity muscle strength and could carry over into improvement in
functional abilities

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To compare the difference in gait parameters between PNF technique and task oriented training in
hemi paretic stroke patients

To compare the difference in functional performance between PNF technique and task oriented
training in hemi paretic stroke patients

HYPOTHESIS
ALTERNATE HYPOTHESIS
There will be significant difference in gait parameters and functional performance in hemi paretic stroke
patients after PNF compared to Task oriented training.
NULL HYPOTHESIS
There will be significant difference in gait parameters and functional performance in hemi paretic stroke
patients after Task oriented training compared to PNF.
STUDY DESIGN: Pre Vs Post-test experimental design.
STUDY SETTING: Hemi paretic stroke patients recruited from Physiotherapy department in and around
Thiruvananthapuram.
METHODOLOGY
INCLUSION CRITERIA
i.

Age group 45 to 65

ii.

Hemi paretic stroke patients

iii.

Brunnstrom recovery stage 2 4 patients will be included

iv.

Patients with mini mental status score> 24/30

v.

Patients who are able to follow commands.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA
1.

No visual or auditory impairment

2. Musculoskeletal disorders
3. History of other neurologic disorders
4. Cognitive or perceptual disorders
5. Cardio vascular diseases.

6.

Patients ambulating with assistive devices.

SAMPLING DESIGN: Purposive sampling

SAMPLE SIZE: 40
PROCEDURE
Based on the inclusion criteria, 40 patients with stroke will be included in the study, the subjects will be
divided into two groups i.e., Group A and Group B with 20 subjects in each group
Group A subjects will be given task oriented training and gait training for six days per week for six
weeks and Group B subjects will be given PNF Exercises and gait training for six days per week for six
weeks.
DURATION OF THE STUDY: One year
MATERIALS USED
1. Measuring tape
2. Stop watch
3. Chair
4. Ink
5. Chart paper.
OUTCOME MEASURES
1. Timed up and Go Test
2. Gait parameters (stride length, cadence, and gait velocity.)
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
1. Mann Whitney U test.
2. Wilcoxon Signed rank test.
REFERENCES
1. Chandan Kumar et al; Comparison between Task Oriented Training and Proprioceptive
Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercise on Lower Extremity Function in Cerebral Palsy. Journal of
Novel Physiotherapiss.2016
2. Kumar et al; Effect of PNF Technique on Gait Parameters and Functional Mobility in Hemi
paretic Patients. Journal of exercise science and physiotherapy vol 8 no 2 2012

3. Y R Yang et al ;journal of clinical rehabilitation Task oriented progressive resistance strength

training improves muscle strength and functional performance in individuals with stroke 2006