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

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

doi:10.1016/j.pjnns.2015.09.002

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

Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2015;49(6):354-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2015.09.002. Epub 2015 Sep 15.

Authors

Elżbieta Mirek¹, Magdalena Filip², Krzysztof Banaszkiewicz³, Monika Rudzińska⁴, Jadwiga Szymura⁵, Szymon Pasiut⁵, Joanna Stożek⁵, Andrzej Szczudlik⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation in Neurology and Psychiatry, University School of Education, Kraków, Poland; Department of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, John Paul's II Hospital, Kraków, Poland. Electronic address: mirek.ela@wp.pl.
² Department of Rehabilitation in Neurology and Psychiatry, University School of Education, Kraków, Poland; Department of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, John Paul's II Hospital, Kraków, Poland.
³ Department of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, John Paul's II Hospital, Kraków, Poland.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
⁵ Department of Rehabilitation in Neurology and Psychiatry, University School of Education, Kraków, Poland.
⁶ Department of Neurology, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Cracow, Kraków, Poland.

PMID: 26652868
DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2015.09.002

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.

Keywords: Gait; Huntington's disease; Physiotherapy.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Exercise Test
Gait / physiology*
Humans
Huntington Disease / rehabilitation*
Middle Aged
Muscle Stretching Exercises / methods*
Pilot Projects
Postural Balance / physiology*
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult