• de Assis ISA
• Luvizutto GJ
• Bruno ACM
• de Souza LAPS

• Affiliation / Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Department of Applied Physical Therapy
• Affiliation / Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Physical Education Post Graduation Program
• Affiliation(G) / Brazil / Minas Gerais / Uberlândia
• Gait Analysis
• Open Access Document
• Parkinson Disease
• Physical Therapy Modalities
• Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
• Review Literature as Topic

Objective: The aim of this review was to evaluate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) in individuals with Parkinson disease.

Methods: This was a systematic review. We searched for articles with the keywords “Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation” and “Parkinson's disease.” The databases searched were Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springer, Web of Science, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), the Cochrane Library, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Ovid, and PubMed, in addition to reference lists of relevant articles. All scientific articles published before November 2019 that addressed rehabilitative outcomes of PNF for individuals with Parkinson disease were considered. Two investigators independently screened studies according to the eligibility criteria.

Results: Of the 674 articles found, 6 were selected. The PEDro scores of 2 articles were 3 points, and the others scored 7, 8, and 9 points. The meta-analysis investigated 3 articles with the same outcomes: walking speed, stride length, and cadence. We found a statistical difference between PNF and other therapies for gait speed (M = 0.28, 95% confidence interval = 0.21-0.34, P < .001).

Conclusion: Based on the meta-analysis, we found that PNF is similar or superior to other therapies as relates to gait speed. The efficacy of PNF for indications of Parkinson disease, however, requires further investigation, as a sufficient number of qualified, well-designed, randomized controlled studies is lacking.

Author keywords:Muscle Stretching Exercises; Parkinson Disease; Physical Therapy Modalities

Author affiliations: ISAdEA, ACMB: Physical Education Post Graduation Program, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil; GJL, LAPSdeS: Department of Applied Physical Therapy, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; click on the above link for free full text.  PubMed Record