Table 2.
Charactersistics of the studies Included in the review.
| Author, year | Total participants | Study Design | Type of intervention (Number of Subjects):-Intervention | PNF Technique (Dosage) | Treatment Frequency | Outcome (measures of assessment) | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mehta H, 2013[2] | 30 | RCT | PNF group: (15 Subjects): - PNF stretching by Hold-relax Control group: (15 Subjects): - Self-stretching. | Hold-Relax for internal rotators (6 Sec of isometric contraction with 10 seconds relaxation, 3 times repetition) | Once in a day 5 d/wk during 4 wks. | - Pain and Function (SPADI) - External rotation, and Abduction (ROM) |
Both groups are effective, but the PNF group is better than Control in improving ROM and decreasing pain and disability. |
| Mahendran P, 2013[19] | 30 | RCT | PNF group: (15 Subjects): - Contract-relax, joint mobilization, and moist heat Control group: (15 Subjects): - Mobilization and moist heat Codman’s exercises as the home program for both the groups | Contract-Relax in D2 Flexion Pattern for Adductors and internal rotators (10-15 times) | Once in a day 5 d/wk during 4 wks. | - Pain (VAS) - External rotation, and Abduction (ROM) |
PNF combined with joint mobilization is better at increasing ROM, and decreasing pain |
| Renjitha L, 2013[20] (Unpublished dissertation) | 50 | RCT | PNF group: (25 Subjects): - PNF contract-relax, coracohumeral ligament stretching and pendular exercises Control group: (25 Subjects): - Pendular exercises | PNF contract-relax for Internal rotators (7 Sec contraction and 15 Sec of relaxation in external rotation, 5 repetitions) Followed by facilitation of D2 Flexion patterns for 5 repetitions. | Once in a day 2 d/wk during 4 wks. | - Pain (VAS) - Pain, and Function (SPADI) - External rotation (ROM) |
The PNF treatment group is better than control in improving ROM of external rotation , function and decreasing pain |
| Kalasva NK, 2014[23] | 30 | RCT | PNF group: (15 Subjects): - myo facial release, Contract-relax PNF Control group: (15 Subjects): -Supine relaxed position for 10 minutes | PNF contract-relax to subscapularis and internal rotators (7 Sec of contraction and 15 Sec of relaxation in external rotation, 5 repetitions) Followed by facilitation of D2 Flexion patterns for 5 repetitions. | Single Session | - External rotation (ROM) | PNF in combination with myo fascial release is better at improving ROM than the control group |
| Kalita A, 2015[31] | 60 | RCT | PNF group: (30 Subjects): -Contract-relax, joint mobilization and pendular exercise. Control group: (30 Subjects): -Pendular exercise | Contract-Relax for internal rotators (7 Sec contraction and 15 Sec of relaxation in external rotation, 5 repetitions) Followed by facilitation of D2 Flexion patterns for 5 repetitions. | Once in a day 2 d/wk during 4 Wks | - Pain and Function (SPADI) - External rotation (ROM) |
Both groups are effective, but the PNF group is better than Control in improving ROM, function and decreasing pain. |
| Akbas E , 2015[22] | 36 | RCT | PNF group: (18 Subjects): -PNF hold relax in D2 Flexion Pattern, Scapular Anterior elevation, and Posterior Depression patterns, Ultrasound, and Hot pack Control group: (18 Subjects): -Ultrasound and Hot pack Wall and wand exercise as a home program for both the groups | Hold-relax (5-8 Sec isometric contraction for improving D2 flexion pattern) Repeated stretch techniques for anterior elevation and posterior depression scapular pattern | Once in a day 5 d/wk during 3 Wks | -Pain (VAS) - Pain and Function (SPADI) - External rotation, Internal Rotation, Abduction & Flexion (ROM) - postural deformities (Postural analysis by inspection) - Scapula evaluation (lateral scapular slide test) |
PNF group is better in improving ROM, function and decreasing pain |
| Ravichandran H, 2015[21] | 60 | RCT | PNF group: (30 Subjects): -D2 flexion and extension patterns Control group: (30 Subjects): -Muscle energy technique for Flexion, Extension, Abduction, External rotation and Internal Rotation) | D2 Flexion and Extension pattern (8 repetitions per set, 2 sets per session, 1 session per day Each repetition held for 5-10 Sec) | Once in a day 5 d/wk during 2 Wks | - Flexion, Extension, Abduction, External rotation and Internal Rotation (ROM) - Pain (Pennsylvania shoulder score first subset) |
When compared with the muscle energy technique group, PNF technique was effective in restoring ROMof abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, function and relieving pain |
| Balci N, 2016[4] | 53 | RCT | PNF group: (18 Subjects): -Scapular PNF, hot pack, ultra sound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation Control group: (17 Subjects): -Hot pack, ultra sound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation Classic exercise group: (18 Subjects): -Stretching and strengthening exercise | PNF all scapular patterns with Rhythmic initiation and repeated contractions Technique. (20 repetitions with rest for 20 Sec for one hour) | Single session | - Pain (VAS) - Flexion, Abduction (ROM) - Scapular dyskinesis (Lateral scapular slide test) |
Pre and post all the 3 groups were shown significant differences. But between the groups, there was no statistically significant difference |
| Pande P, 2017[3] | 30 | RCT | PNF group: (15 Subjects): -PNF Hold-Relax and the ultrasound. Control group: (15 Subjects): -Mobilization and ultrasound | Hold-Relax for improving D2 Flexion pattern (10 Sec antagonist muscle contraction followed by voluntary relaxation) 5 times per session | Once in a day 3d /wk during4wks. | - Pain (VAS) - External rotation and Abduction (ROM) |
Both groups are effective, but the PNF group is better than Control in improving ROMand decreasing pain |
| Prasanna KJ, 2017[18] | 24 | Quasi-Experimental | PNF group: (12 Subjects): -Scapular PNF, wax therapy, stretching, and shoulder mobilization Control group: (12 Subjects): -Wax therapy, stretching, and shoulder mobilization | Scapular PNF in repeated contraction and rhythmic initiation in all patterns (20 repetitions with rest of 20 Sec between each repetition) | No details during 6 wks. | - Pain (VAS) - External rotation, Flexion and Abduction (ROM) - Scapular dyskinesia (Lateral scapular slide test) - Function (Simple shoulder test) |
Both groups are effective, but Scapular PNF group is better than Control. |
Note: wk=week, d=days; PNF: proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, ROM: Range of Motion, VAS: Visual Analog Scale, SPADI: Shoulder pain and Disability Index.