A Study to Find the Effect of Trunk Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercise on Trunk Muscle Strength and Balance in Chronic Stroke Patients - An Interventional Study

Purpose: Despite evidence demonstrating the importance of trunk performance after stroke, therapies aimed at improving trunk function are limited. The Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique is a method to improve the trunk stability after stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of trunk Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise on trunk muscle strength and balance in chronic stroke patients. Method: A total of 65 chronic stroke patients were taken on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into two groups by simple random sampling. Group A received trunk Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise and Group B received trunk conventional exercise. All the outcome measures that is strength of trunk flexors, extensors and rotators and Berg Balance Scale were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results: Within group analysis was done using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test which showed significant improvement in all outcomes after 4 weeks. Between groups comparison was done using Mann-Whitney Test which showed that Group A was more effective in improving strength of trunk rotators. Conclusion: The result of the study suggested that both the groups showed improvement but trunk Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise were beneficial for improving strength of trunk rotators in chronic stroke patients.