“Effect Of Chest Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation On Peak Expiratory Flow Rate And Level Of Fatigue In Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy”

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients with Spastic CP often experience respiratory complications due to impaired lung function. Fatigue prevalence appears significantly higher in adults with CP compared to the general population. Techniques such as Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) targeting respiratory muscles have been found effective in enhancing lung performance. The current study focused on evaluating the impact of chest PNF on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and fatigue levels in children diagnosed with Spastic CP.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 32 children with Spastic CP. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A (n=16), which received respiratory Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) combined with conventional therapy, and Group B (n=16), which received only conventional therapy. Group A's sessions were held for 60 minutes three times a week over a period of 8 weeks, while Group B underwent conventional therapy for 30 minutes per session during the same time frame. The outcome measures, including PEFR and the Modified Borg Scale, were recorded at baseline, the 4th week, and the 8th week of the intervention.

RESULTS: A comparison of average pre- and post-intervention values revealed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the two groups. All measured variables showed greater improvements in Group A compared to Group B (p<0.05), indicating the superior efficacy of combining respiratory PNF with conventional therapy.

CONCLUSION: Adding respiratory Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) to conventional therapy was found to be more effective in enhancing Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and reducing fatigue levels in children with diplegic cerebral palsy than conventional therapy alone.