open access

Vol 49, No 6 (2015)
Original research articles
Submitted: 2015-06-03
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The effects of physiotherapy with PNF concept on gait and balance of patients with Huntington's disease – pilot study

Elżbieta Mirek12, Magdalena Filip12, Krzysztof Banaszkiewicz2, Monika Rudzińska3, Jadwiga Szymura1, Szymon Pasiut1, Joanna Stożek1, Andrzej Szczudlik4
DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2015.09.002
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2015;49(6):354-357.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Rehabilitation in Neurology and Psychiatry, University School of Education, Kraków, Poland
  2. Department of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, John Paul's II Hospital, Kraków, Poland
  3. Department of Neurology, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
  4. Department of Neurology, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Cracow, Kraków, Poland

open access

Vol 49, No 6 (2015)
Original research articles
Submitted: 2015-06-03

Abstract

Background and purpose

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder of the central nervous system which causes significant gait and balance disturbances. This is a pilot study which aims to determine the effects of a physiotherapy programme with use of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on gait and balance in HD patients.

Material and methods

30 HD patients aged 21–60 with genetically confirmed diagnosis participated in the study. Participants followed a 3-week-long PNF-based physiotherapy programme. Gait and balance were evaluated twice in each participant: first at baseline and then after the course of physiotherapy. The following methods were used for gait disturbances: Tinetti Gait Assessment Tool, Up and Go Test, Timed Walking Tests for 10m and 20m (TWT10m, TWT20m). Balance was assessed with use of Berg Balance Scale, Pastor Test and Functional Reach Test.

Results

There was a significant improvement in all measures of balance and gait.

Conclusion

PNF-based physiotherapy is effective and safe in HD patients.

Abstract

Background and purpose

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder of the central nervous system which causes significant gait and balance disturbances. This is a pilot study which aims to determine the effects of a physiotherapy programme with use of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on gait and balance in HD patients.

Material and methods

30 HD patients aged 21–60 with genetically confirmed diagnosis participated in the study. Participants followed a 3-week-long PNF-based physiotherapy programme. Gait and balance were evaluated twice in each participant: first at baseline and then after the course of physiotherapy. The following methods were used for gait disturbances: Tinetti Gait Assessment Tool, Up and Go Test, Timed Walking Tests for 10m and 20m (TWT10m, TWT20m). Balance was assessed with use of Berg Balance Scale, Pastor Test and Functional Reach Test.

Results

There was a significant improvement in all measures of balance and gait.

Conclusion

PNF-based physiotherapy is effective and safe in HD patients.

Get Citation

Keywords

Huntington' s disease, Gait, Physiotherapy

About this article
Title

The effects of physiotherapy with PNF concept on gait and balance of patients with Huntington's disease – pilot study

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 49, No 6 (2015)

Pages

354-357

Page views

1700

Article views/downloads

1822

DOI

10.1016/j.pjnns.2015.09.002

Bibliographic record

Neurol Neurochir Pol 2015;49(6):354-357.

Keywords

Huntington's disease
Gait
Physiotherapy

Authors

Elżbieta Mirek
Magdalena Filip
Krzysztof Banaszkiewicz
Monika Rudzińska
Jadwiga Szymura
Szymon Pasiut
Joanna Stożek
Andrzej Szczudlik

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