PNF Method for Those Working in Special Education

Acute Effect of Self-PNF Stretching on Chest Mobility, Posterior Muscle Chain Mobility and Respiratory Functions in Caregivers of Children With Developmental Delays

The aim of the study was to examine the acute effect of self-proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on chest mobility, posterior muscle chain mobility and respiratory functions in caregivers of children with developmental delays. In the study: 1. Does self-PNF stretching have an effect on chest mobility and posterior muscle chain mobility in caregivers of children with developmental delay? 2. Does self-PNF stretching have an effect on respiratory functions in caregivers of children with developmental delays? The questions were answered.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Caregiver Burden
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: PNF Stretching; Other: Static Stretching

Detailed Description

A cross-over randomized controlled study was designed with 30 caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. Using the online randomization method, caregivers were first assigned to either the PNF stretching group or the static stretching group. Before and after the application, rib cage mobility was evaluated by chest circumference measurement, hamstring muscle mobility by popliteal angle measurement, lumbar region mobility by Schober Test, posterior muscle chain mobility by Finger-Floor Distance Measurement Test, and respiratory functions by Respiratory Function Test. The caregiver, who entered a 1-day cleansing period, repeated the evaluation and technique application with the stretching technique that was not applied the next day.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Yalova, Turkey, 77100
    • Ebrar Atak

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Volunteering to participate in the study
• No history of infection or flare in the previous 4 weeks
• Participants who have not been included in another clinical trial in the last month
• Those whose knee flexion angle is 15 degrees and above in the hamstring muscle shortness test

Exclusion Criteria:

• Vestibular disorders, participants with known balance impairment within the past three months due to concussion
• Those with musculoskeletal system problems in their lower extremities
• Those who had lower extremity and thorax surgery in the last year
• Those with metabolic diseases

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: PNF Stretching Group; The PNF stretching method for each muscle was applied to the athlete in the form of self-stretching by the participant, with the direct treatment concept of hold and relax technique, with the training of a specialist physiotherapist. The muscle to be stretched (the antagonist muscle for the pattern - the muscle that causes the limitation) was first brought to the position where it could be extended, and at that point, the stretched muscle was contracted submaximally (65% of the intensity determined according to the Stretch Intensity Scale) for 5 seconds, causing isometric contraction. Then, the athlete was given 5 relax commands for the tense muscle. Then, the stretched muscle was stretched as far as it could go, and the muscle that needed to be stretched was passively stretched for 20 seconds (1 set). After a 5-second rest interval, the method was repeated and 8 sets (lasting 4 minutes) were performed for 1 muscle. Stretching was done on the hamstring muscle.	Other: PNF Stretching; PNF was applied to the hamstring muscle, with a 1-day washout period in between.
Other: Static Stretching Group; Classical static stretching was applied to the hamstring muscle in the same position for 30 seconds each, 8 repetitions, a total of 4 minutes for one leg and 8 minutes for both legs, in the stance position of PNF stretching.	Other: Static Stretching; Static stretching was applied to the hamstring muscle, with a 1-day washout period in between.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Chest Mobility Measurement 1- Axillary region	Normal resting tidal volume, chest width during maximum inspiration and maximum expiration were measured from the axillary region with a tape measure and recorded in centimeters.	Duration of change in 1 day.
Chest Mobility Measurement 2- Xiphoid region	Normal resting tidal volume, chest width during maximum inspiration and maximum expiration were measured from the xiphoid (epigastric) region with a tape measure and recorded in centimeters.	Duration of change in 1 day.
Chest Mobility Measurement 3- Subcostal region	Normal resting tidal volume, chest width during maximum inspiration and maximum expiration were measured from the subcostal region with a tape measure and recorded in centimeters.	Duration of change in 1 day.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Popliteal Angle Measurement	Hamstring muscle flexibility measurement. A digital goniometer was used.	Duration of change in 1 day.
Schober Test	Lumbar mobility was evaluated with the Schober Test. A tape measure was used in the testing procedure.	Duration of change in 1 day.
Posterior muscle chain mobility measurement	Posterior muscle chain mobility was evaluated with the Finger-Floor Distance Test. A tape measure was used in the testing procedure.	Duration of change in 1 day.
FVC Measurement	Respiratory Function Test. The COSMED microQuark spirometer used. Lung volume was evaluated.	Duration of change in 1 day.
FEV1 Measurement	Respiratory Function Test. The COSMED microQuark spirometer used. Lung volume was evaluated.	Duration of change in 1 day.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
• Collaborators: Istanbul Gedik University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Reiner M, Tilp M, Guilhem G, Morales-Artacho A, Nakamura M, Konrad A. Effects of a Single Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching Exercise With and Without Post-stretching Activation on the Muscle Function and Mechanical Properties of the Plantar Flexor Muscles. Front Physiol. 2021 Sep 14;12:732654. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.732654. eCollection 2021.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 4, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 12, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): June 6, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 7, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 17, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): June 20, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 20, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 17, 2024
• Last Verified: June 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: maintenance burden; PNF technique; rehabilitation worker
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Stress, Psychological; Caregiver Burden
• Other Study ID Numbers: PNFEffectsForCaregiver

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: It will be evaluated if the researchers are contacted via their e-mail addresses.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No