Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation neck pattern exercise on the ability to control the trunk and maintain balance in chronic stroke patients

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation neck pattern exercise on the ability to control the trunk and balance in chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 30 study subjects were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group of 15 subjects, who received the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation neck pattern exercise, and a control group of 15 subjects, who received a traditional rehabilitation treatment. [Results] Statistically significant changes in all the items of the Trunk Impairment Scale, the Trunk Impairment Scale total score, and the Berg Balance Scale were observed in both the experimental group and the control group. significant between-group differences were found in all items among the subitems of the Trunk Impairment Scale except the static sitting balance. [Conclusion] Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation neck pattern exercise was shown to have a positive effect on increasing the ability to control the trunk and maintain balance in chronic stroke patients.