Evaluation of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and Therapy Hand Ball to Improve Motor Dexterity in Post-Stroke Patients

Abstract

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and can cause various degrees of disturbance, such as decreased muscle tone,loss of sensation in various body parts, and limitations in moving the affected limbs to perform certain activities. This studyaimed to see the effectiveness of the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) (Contract-Relax) technique and Therapyhandball exercises in improving the motor skill of the affected hand in non-haemorrhagic post-stroke patients. The sample forthis study was 30 patients and were divided into two groups (Group A & Group B), 15 patients each. Both groups were givenconventional physiotherapy before starting with the interventions respectively. Box and Block tests and Bardel index wereperformed pre-treatment and post-treatment to see the changes and for the outcome measurement. PNF(Contract-Relax)technique was given in sets of three, five days a week, and Therapy Hand Ball exercises in three, five days a week for threeweeks. Both interventions were given to every individual in both Groups. This study found that both groups have improvedmotor dexterity of the hand (affected side), with better improvement observed for the group that did the Therapy Hand Ballexercises compared to the PNF(Contract-Relax) technique. From the data analysis of the prolonged treatment Therapy, HandBall exercises showed better results when compared to the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation PNF (Contract-Relaxed)Technique, as Therapy Hand Ball exercises can be easily performed at home by the patient himself , whereas the PNF CRtechnique needs a Physiotherapist to perform the treatment.