Effectiveness of the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Method on Gait Parameters in Patients With Stroke: A Systematic Review

Objective: To review the current evidence for the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques on gait parameters in patients with stroke.

Data sources: The electronic platforms of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched using the relevant search terms.

Study selection: Intervention studies that had gait parameters as an outcome and in which PNF techniques were used in a poststroke population were reviewed. The studies were reviewed by both authors and a consensus was reached. The literature search identified 84 studies. Following screening, there were 5 studies that met the inclusion criteria for this review.

Data extraction: Data were extracted from the studies by both authors and independently reviewed. Methodological quality was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale of randomized controlled trials and with the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies for nonrandomized controlled trials.

Data synthesis: Treatment using the PNF method led to a statistically significant improvement in gait outcome measures in patients with stroke in all the studies. Three of the studies also found that groups treated with PNF techniques had a significantly greater improvement in outcome measures than groups that received routine physiotherapy treatment.

Conclusions: Although some limitations were identified in the methodological quality of the studies, current research suggests that PNF is an effective treatment for the improvement of gait parameters in patients with stroke. Further research is needed to build a robust evidence base in this area.