An experimental study on comparison between proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique and conventional physical therapy on lower extremity function of cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) has prevalence of 2 to 2.5 per 1000 live births. Causes of CP are still not known significantly. There are many risk factors of CP are known now a days. CP can cause other secondary abnormalities in musculoskeletal system like low muscle power, tightness, and many other bony and structural changes and also in gait. There are five different levels of gross motor function in which level I is the highest level and level V is the last level. This classification is according to the GMFCS. Objective: To determine the efficacy of conventional therapy and PNF techniques in reducing spasticity and improving gross motor function in subjects with cerebral palsy. Methods: Total 36 patients were divided equally into 2 groups. They were assessed at pretreatment, 4th and 8th session of treatment using GMFCS and Modified Ashworth Scale. Group A received PNF stretching (Contract-Relax Method) and Group B received Muscle passive stretching. Results: At post treatment assessment, PNF group had the highest score for GMFCS score (U=155.0, p=0.812), hip flexors spasm (U=121.50, p=0.178), knee flexors spasm (U=129.0, p=0.270), knee extensors spasm (U=152.00, p=0.731) foot dorsiflexors spasm (U=143.50, p= 0.530), foot planter flexors spasm (U=155.00, p=0.817) and on the other hand conventional treatment group had the high score in hip extensors spasm (U=114.50, p=0.098). Conclusion: It is concluded that both the techniques are helpful to enhance the GMFCS score and to reduce the spasticity. PNF stretching has the more positive effects on improving the GMFCS score than that of conventional muscle stretching, in reducing lower limb spasticity except the hip extensors where conventional muscle stretching was more effective.