PNF techniques

Question 1

What is rhythmic initiation (RI)?

Answer 1

1. start off passive
2. progress to AAROM
3. last to AROM through increments of range

Question 2

What does rhythmic motion do?

Answer 2

inhibits arousal to achieve relaxation (inhibit RAS)

Question 3

RI: speed of movement

Answer 3

• slow and maintained

- avoid quick stretches

Question 4

RI: What ROM is used? Why?

Answer 4

• available range

- avoid protective response from pt

Question 5

RI: which pts would this be a good technique for?

Answer 5

• pts who are unable to initiate movement due to increased tone
• pts with limited ROM from increased tone

*don’t want to increase spasticity and lose ROM

Question 6

RI: useful while

Answer 6

teaching an activity

Question 7

What is rhythmic rotation (RR)?

Answer 7

1. pt relaxed

2. PT slowly and passively moves through ROM while rotating and derotating the part on its axis

Question 8

purpose of RR

Answer 8

• slow rhythmic rotation inhibits RAS

- rotary movement relax and “unlock” the muscles

Question 9

Which pts would benefit from RR?

Answer 9

• pts whose spasticity increases with AROM

- pts with spasticity and no AROM

Question 10

What may need to be added to RR for pts who can’t relax?

Answer 10

traction

Question 11

What is HRAM?

Answer 11

ISOMETRIC contraction in a SHORTENED RANGE of a pattern against graded resistance

Question 12

HRAM procedure

Answer 12

1. Hold is built up
2. Pt given cue to relax
3. When PT feels the relaxation, quickly move to lengthened range

Question 13

Active phase of HRAM (procedure)

Answer 13

4. apply quick stretch
5. cue pt to actively return to shortened range
6. PT can assist, track, or resist

Question 14

What is the purpose of isometric hold in short range (HRAM)?

Answer 14

• increases muscle spindle sensitivity

- » during quick stretch in lengthened range, spindle d/c is maximized

Question 15

Resistance during the active phase of HRAM stimulates _____

Answer 15

isotonics

Question 16

Which pts would benefit from HRAM?

Answer 16

pts with weakness and/or unable to initiate movement from lengthened range

Question 17

Where is hold relax (HR) performed?

Answer 17

at the point of limitation in ROM

Question 18

HR procedure

Answer 18

1. pt moves to point of limitation
2. PT resists isometric contraction
3. resistance build up to max tolerance and maintained
4. pt cued to relax

Question 19

HR: What happens when the PT feels the pt relax?

Answer 19

cued to actively move into the desired ROM

Question 20

What is the basis for using HR?

Answer 20

• GTO firing inhibits range limiting pattern

- active movement into pattern results in reciprocal inhibition of range limiting pattern

Question 21

Which pts would benefit from HR?

Answer 21

pts who have pain with mvt

Question 22

Which joints are best suited for HR?

Answer 22

joints that don’t have a large rotary component