The Effects of PNF Relaxation Technique and Graston Technique on Shoulder Pain and Upper Extremity Function of Stroke Patients

Abstract

The subjects of this study were 30 chronic stroke patients. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups; a PNF relaxation technique and Graston technique group (n=15), and a conventional treatment group (n=15). The first group received the shoulder muscle holdrelax technique and the Graston technique for 30 minutes. The control group received only conventional therapy for 30 minutes. Both groups underwent treatments 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment each subject was randomly evaluated for VAS, PPT, JTT, and MFT. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between before and after intervention in both groups. However the PNF/Graston technique group showed significantly more improvement compared to the conventional treatment group. In this study, we confirmed that the PNF relaxation technique combined with the Graston technique have positive effects on both the pain and the upper extremity function of chronic stroke patients.