Effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Pelvic Patterns Versus Elastic Band Resisted Gait Training on Balance and Lower Limb Proprioception in Subacute Stroke Patients
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68279/gdh3xp64Keywords:
Stroke Rehabilitation, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Elastic Resistance Band, Postural Balance, Proprioception, Gait VelocityAbstract
Background: Balance, gait, and proprioceptive impairments commonly limit functional recovery after stroke. PNF pelvic patterns and elastic-band-resisted gait training represent active rehabilitation approaches with potentially different effects on post-stroke motor performance. Objective: To compare the effects of PNF pelvic pattern training and elastic-band-resisted gait training on balance, gait velocity, and lower-limb joint position sense in individuals with subacute stroke. Methods: This assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial included 35 participants at Al-Majeed Poly Clinic, Lahore, allocated to PNF (n=18) or elastic-band training (n=17). Both groups received 60-minute sessions, five days weekly for six weeks. Outcomes were assessed at Weeks 0, 3, and 6 using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and ankle and knee joint position sense (JPS). Mixed-design ANOVA evaluated time and Group × Time effects. Results: BBS increased by 10.1±3.1 points with PNF and 6.7±4.4 with elastic-band training; the between-group difference in change was 3.40 points (95% CI 0.75–6.05), with a significant Group × Time interaction (p=0.011). Gait velocity increased by 0.14±0.07 and 0.22±0.15 m/s, respectively, with a significant interaction (p=0.025). At Week 6, ankle JPS error was lower with PNF at 0° (p=0.013) and 30° (p=0.015), while knee differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Both interventions were associated with improvements across measured outcomes, with differing outcome-specific patterns
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Copyright (c) 2026 Attia Afzal, Gulnaz Yamin, Rubaiqah Iftikhar, Dr. Jawahira Firdous, Tooba Shehzad (Author)
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