The therapeutic effect of PNF on shoulder subluxation after stroke

Abstract

Objective To investigate the curative effects of selected proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) patterns and techniques on shoulder subluxation soon after strokd. Methods Forty-one stroke patients with shoulder subluxation were randomly divided into a treatment group(n=22) and a control group (n=19). The patients in the treatment group receiveed the selected PNF techniques daily for 4 weeks, while the patients in the control group were treated with their previous therapeutic protocol. The shortest distance from the lower border of the acromion to the nearest point of the humeral head(AHH) was measured. Brunnstron grading was used to evaluate motor function in the affected upper linb, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess subLuxation. Shoulder pain before and after treatment was also assessd. Results There was no significant difference in general condition between the patients in the two groups before treatment. In the treatment group, a significant improvement in AHH distance of the affected shoulder was observed after 4 weeks. Shoulder subluxation waw cured in 13 patients, with AHH distance ＜0.75 cm after 4 weeks of treatment. Conclusion The PNF technique applied was effective for the early treatment of subluxation after stroke. Motor function in the affected upper limb could be improved significantly and pain alleviated. Key words: Stroke; Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; Shoulder subluxation; Shoulder pain; Motor function