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Neurological Research and Therapy

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Original Research Vol. 1, Issue 1 (2014)

Effects of PNF Method for Hemiplegic Patients with Brachial Predominance after Stroke: Controlled and Blinded Clinical Trial

Karen Rocha De Moraes, Evelim Leal De Freitas*, Dantas Gomes, Samantha Souza Possa and Luciana Barcala
Corresponding Author: Evelim Leal De Freitas
Received: Jul 09, 2014
Accepted: Jul 30, 2014
Published: Aug 01, 2014
Views: 12
DOI: 10.14437

Abstract

In stroke, ninety percent of survivors have motor sequelae, being the main one is hemiplegia or hemi paresis, respectively defined as total or partial paralysis of the movements of one side of the body, interfering directly on the balance and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The hemiplegia or paresis are prevalent in the upper limb disability, so this study will address this impairment. The Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) method is applied to restore motor deficits promoting the return of function and independence of the patients in ADLs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PNF method in relation to functional performance, being assessed by two scales: the Functional Independence 
Measure and Fulg-Meyer Assessment. Twenty predominantly brachial hemiplegic individuals after stroke inserted in physical therapy treatment twice a week (one hour each session) were selected. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, one staying with conventional physical therapy and the other group receiving application of 30 minutes of exercise of the PNF method during the conventional physiotherapeutic session. The scales were applied before and after 20 sessions of intervention. The study found that the PNF presents significant results in the recovery of upper limb hemi paretic patient functionality.  

 

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Evelim Leal De Freitas(2014), Effects of PNF Method for Hemiplegic Patients with Brachial Predominance after Stroke: Controlled and Blinded Clinical Trial. Neurological Research and Therapy 2:101
Copyright: Copyright: © 2014 NRTOA. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, Version 3.0, which permits
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