Physical Functioning Improvements in Older Adults Following a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-Based Resisted Exercise Program: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Leandro Giacometti da Silva, Marcelo Bandeira-Guimarães, Eduarda Blanco-Rambo et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized clinical trial compared a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)-based resisted exercise program with the same activities performed without manual resistance in 25 older adults with limited physical functioning (mean age 80.4 ± 6.0 years). Both groups completed eight sessions over 4 weeks. Intention-to-treat analyses found group-by-time differences in physical performance, gait speed, sit-to-stand, and static balance. In the PNF group, Short Physical Performance Battery scores improved by 1.9 points (95% CI 0.6 to 3.2; p = .004), while gait speed increased by 0.20 m/s (95% CI 0.05 to 0.37; p = .012).
Key findings
- PNF participants improved their Short Physical Performance Battery score by 1.9 points (95% CI 0.6 to 3.2; p = .004).
- Gait speed increased by 0.20 m/s in the PNF group (95% CI 0.05 to 0.37; p = .012).
- Sit-to-stand time decreased by 7.8 s in the PNF group (95% CI -14.9 to -0.6; p = .033).
- The control group had significant declines in gait speed and handgrip strength; group-by-time interactions were also significant for static balance.
Why it matters
Functional limitations in older adults can affect mobility and independence. This trial suggests that adding manual resistance to gait and sit-to-stand exercises may improve several measured aspects of physical function over a short intervention, whereas the comparison group did not show the same pattern. The findings provide preliminary evidence for further evaluation of this exercise approach in older adults at risk of disability.
What to keep in mind
The trial included only 25 participants and assessed outcomes after an intervention lasting 4 weeks; longer-term effects are not reported in the abstract.