Home Physiotherapy Using the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Concept in a Patient with Chronic Hemiplegia...

Background/Objectives: The growing population of stroke survivors living in rural communities, who require ongoing rehabilitation, highlights the need for effective, home-based rehabilitation methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on segmental and global motor function, gait performance, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and quality of life in a patient with chronic hemiplegia living at home. Methods: A 71-year-old woman, five years after an ischemic stroke of the left cerebral hemisphere, presented with severe right-sided hemiplegia and participated in a two-month home-based PNF rehabilitation programme consisting of 20 one-hour sessions delivered 2-3 times per week. To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, the following standardised outcome measures were used in given order: Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Rivermead Motor Assessment Scale (RMA), Barthel Scale (BS), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results: Improvements were observed in lower limb motor function (FMA-LE), gait performance (TUG), and overall quality of life (SF-36). Conclusions: PNF-based physiotherapy delivered at home environment may provide meaningful benefits for patients living in rural areas, even years after stroke.