IJ
IJCRM
International Journal of Contemporary Research in Multidisciplinary
ISSN: 2583-7397
Open Access • Peer Reviewed
Impact Factor: 5.67

International Journal of Contemporary Research In Multidisciplinary, 2026;5(4):873-878

Comparative Study of PNF Versus Conventional Physiotherapy on Spasticity Reduction in Hemiplegia

Author Name: Dr. Barnita Deb Bose (PT);   Dr. Pratik Bose (PT);   Dr. Atanu Datta (PT);  

1. Senior Associate Physiotherapist, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

2. Executive Physiotherapist, Manipal Hospital Broadway, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

3. Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, National Institute for Locomotor Disability, Bonhooghly, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background: Spasticity is one of the most disabling consequences of upper motor neuron injury following stroke, affecting nearly one-third of survivors and impairing functional recovery, activities of daily living, and quality of life. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) has been proposed as a superior alternative to conventional physiotherapy for spasticity management, yet comparative evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of PNF techniques against conventional physiotherapy in reducing spasticity and improving functional independence among adults with post-stroke hemiplegia. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 hemiplegic patients (age 40-65 years, minimum Grade 1 spasticity on the Modified Ashworth Scale) recruited from an outpatient neuro-rehabilitation unit. Participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups: the PNF group (n = 30), receiving PNF patterns including rhythmic initiation, slow reversal, and contract-relax techniques, and the conventional group (n = 30), receiving passive stretching, positioning, and range-of-motion exercises. Both groups trained five days a week for six weeks. Spasticity was measured using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), functional independence using the Barthel Index (BI), and range of motion using goniometry, at baseline and post-intervention. Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant within-group improvement (p < 0.05). However, the PNF group showed significantly greater reduction in MAS scores and greater gains in Barthel Index scores compared to the conventional group (p < 0.05), with moderate-to-large effect sizes favoring PNF. Conclusion: PNF techniques produced superior reduction in spasticity and greater improvement in functional independence compared to conventional physiotherapy in hemiplegic patients, supporting its incorporation as a primary intervention strategy in neurorehabilitation protocols.

Keywords

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Spasticity, Hemiplegia, Stroke Rehabilitation, Modified Ashworth Scale, Conventional Physiotherapy.