Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol on Pain, Range and Function in KOA

An individual can suffer from knee osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative condition, and while standard physical therapy can assist in some way, improved joint mechanics and decreased functional limitations can be achieved through the use of specialized methods, such as the advanced protocols of Neuromuscular Facilitation. Objective of this study is to use Neuromuscular Facilitation, a technique to investigate in terms of its effect in comparison to standard Physical therapy on the levels of pain, the range and range of motion at the joint, and the overall physical disability associated with knee osteoarthritis. An experiment that involved a randomized group of 54 subjects who were aged between 40 and 80 with Grade 2 or 3 knee osteoarthritis was conducted. Recruitment of subjects was done by way of non-probability convenience sampling at United Hospital in Faisalabad. Subjects were randomly placed in 2 groups: PNF-based neuromuscular facilitation group (Group A) received bridging, side decubits, sural triceps, sitting and standing from chair, lateral walk, going up and down stairs, squating and group B received standard Physical therapy which included cryotherapy and isometric Quadriceps strengthening and Isometric Hip adductor strengthening exercise. The outcomes were assessed using Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Goniometry for range of motion, and The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.