EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION VERSUS CONVENTIONAL THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study is to compare effectiveness of two different therapeutic interventions in the management of knee OA that is Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and conventional therapeutic exercises.
METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effectiveness of PNF and conventional therapeutic exercises for the management of Knee Osteoarthritis OA. A total of 30 patients (including both male and female) of age (56 ± 9.3) diagnosed with knee OA were selected in the study. Patients were recruited through consecutive sampling. A baseline assessment of all the patients was done before allocation. The assessment was based on self reported outcome measures of pain and functional activity level. Patients were then randomly allocated to two of the intervention groups- PNF and Conventional Exercise group. Each patient got 3 sessions per week for a period
of 4 weeks.
RESULTS: Both of the groups were equally significant in improving pain and functional activity level. The effectiveness of both PNF and conventional therapeutic exercises showed a significant reduction in pain intensity (p=0.00). Similarly, functional activity level was also improved significantly in both PNF & Conventional exercise group (p=0.00).
CONCLUSION: Both physical therapy regimes produced a clinically important improvement in pain and functional activity level, it is