A case report on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on balance and gait in hemiparetic patient

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is an approach to therapeutic exercise that combines functionally based diagonal patterns of movement with techniques of neuromuscular facilitation to evoke motor responses and improve neuromuscular control and function. The PNF approach gives the therapist a variety of manual resistance exercise techniques to increase muscle strength, to promote dynamic stability and controlled mobility as the foundation and in preparation for initiation of task specific skilled movements in a rehabilitation program.

This case study was intended to find out the improvements on balance and gait ability in a patient with Right Hemiparesis following Left Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) territory stroke treated with PNF.

A case of right Hemiparesis following left middle cerebral artery lesion treated conservatively and referred for rehabilitation to our center. He had impaired weight bearing symmetry; impaired balance; impaired voluntary motor control. He was assessed with Berg Balance Scale, Fugl-Meyer Scale-lower extremity component and Functional Ambulation Category and Balance Master. He received PNF therapy for 30 days (5 days a week for 6 weeks). Following which he improved in the balance ability and independence in gait.