A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL COMPARING THE EFFICACY OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION (PNF) VS. MUSCLE SETTING EXERCISES FOR IMPROVING MOTOR RECOVERY IN POST-STROKE PATIENTS

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, often resulting in impaired motor function, spasticity, and reduced functional independence. Effective rehabilitation is critical to improving outcomes and restoring quality of life for stroke survivors. Among the various therapeutic approaches, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and muscle setting exercises are widely practiced, yet their comparative effectiveness remains inadequately explored. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of these two interventions on motor recovery and spasticity reduction in post-stroke patients. Objective: To compare the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and muscle setting exercises on motor function, spasticity, and functional capacity in post-stroke rehabilitation. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at City Clinics, Lahore, involving 60 hemiparetic post-stroke patients aged 45–75 years. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: PNF (n = 30) and muscle setting (n = 30). Each group underwent an intervention protocol of 18 sessions over six weeks, with therapy sessions conducted three times per week. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were used pre- and post-intervention to assess motor function, spasticity, and pain, respectively. Results: The PNF group showed a significant increase in FMA scores from 1.47 ± 0.51 to 3.57 ± 0.50 (p < 0.001), MAS scores rose from 1.00 to 2.90 ± 0.55 (p < 0.001), and NPRS scores decreased from 3.37 ± 0.49 to 1.20 ± 0.89 (p < 0.001). In the muscle setting group, FMA improved from 1.47 ± 0.51 to 1.90 ± 0.80, MAS from 1.47 ± 0.51 to 1.80 ± 0.93, and NPRS from 3.37 ± 0.49 to 2.57 ± 1.25 (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: PNF therapy demonstrated significantly greater improvements in motor function, reduced spasticity, and lower pain levels compared to muscle setting exercises. These findings support PNF as a more comprehensive and effective rehabilitation strategy for post-stroke patients.