Efficacy of Static Stretching and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretch on Hamstrings Length After a Single Session

BACKGROUND: The cranio-cervical flexion exercise and sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique have been used to improve a forward head posture among neck pain patients with straight leg raise (SLR) limitation. However, little is known about the cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) and cervical spine range of motion (CROM) after applying stretching methods to the hamstring muscle. OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effects of static stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on SLR, CVA, and CROM in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness. METHODS: 64 subjects were randomly allocated to the static stretching (n1= 32) or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (n2= 32) stretching group. The SLR test was performed to measure the hamstring muscle’s flexibility and tightness between the two groups, with CROM and CVA also being measured. The paired t-test was used to compare all the variables within each group before and after the intervention. The independent t-test was used to compare the two groups before and after the stretching exercise. RESULTS: There were no between-group effects for any outcome variables (P> 0.05). However, all SLR, CVA, and CROM outcome variables were significantly improved within-group (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There were no between-group effects for any outcome variable; however, SLR, CVA, and CROM significantly improved within-group after the one-session intervention in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness.

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A Comparison of Self-administered Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation to Static Stretching on Range of Motion and Flexibility

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ◽

10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182956432 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 168-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Jason Wicke ◽

Kamar Gainey ◽

Michael Figueroa

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

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A structured exercise programme combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching or static stretching in posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215518802886 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 241-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tansu Birinci ◽

Arzu Razak Ozdincler ◽

Suleyman Altun ◽

Cemal Kural

Keyword(s):

Elbow Flexion ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Global Rating ◽

Elbow Fracture ◽

Dash Score ◽

Static Stretching ◽

Elbow Stiffness ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Objectives: To compare the different stretching techniques, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and static stretching, in patients with elbow stiffness after a treated elbow fracture. Design: Randomized-controlled, single-blind study. Setting: Department of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Subjects: Forty patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness (24 women; mean age, 41.34 ± 7.57 years). Intervention: PNF stretching group ( n = 20), hold-relax PNF stretching combined with a structured exercise programme (two days per week for six weeks); static stretching group ( n = 20), static stretching combined with a structured exercise programme (two days per week for six weeks). Main measures: The primary outcome is the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). The secondary outcomes are active range of motion (AROM), visual analogue scale (VAS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Short Form-12 and Global Rating of Change. Participants were assessed at baseline, after a six-week intervention period and one-month later (follow-up). Results: After treatment, improvement in the mean DASH score was slightly better in the PNF stretching group (8.66 ± 6.15) compared with the static stretching group (19.25 ± 10.30) ( p = 0.03). The overall group-by-time interaction for the 2 × 3 mixed-model analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was also significant for elbow flexion AROM (mean change for PNF stretching group; static stretching group; 41.10, 34.42, p = 0.04), VAS-rest (–1.31, –1.08, p = 0.03) and VAS-activity (–3.78, –3.47, p = 0.01) in favour of PNF stretching group. The other outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the structured exercise programme combined with PNF stretching might be effective in patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness with regard to improving function, elbow flexion AROM, pain at rest and during activity.

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