PNF in acute stroke

Abstract

PNF was developed by Dr. Harman Kabat (MD) and Margret Ross during 1940’s and early 1950’s. Initially the approach was developed to treat the patients with neurological dysfunctions. He studied researcher such as Sherrington, Gellhorn, Coghill, Gesell, Helebrandt, and others. These authors reported that traction, stretch reflex, irradiation, resistance and other proprioceptive input could influence a muscle response. PNF integrates the use of spiral and diagonal pattern specific of movements (Figure 1 & 2) (with antagonist and agonist muscles) with procedures and superimposed techniques that induce the muscular contraction, relaxation and muscle strength.2 PNF applies neurophysiological principle of sensory/motor system to manual evaluation and treatment of neuromuscular skeletal system. PNF provides the therapist with an efficient mean for evaluating and treating neuromuscular and structural dysfunctions.3‒7