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The Effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Haemodynamic Responses in a Neurological Intensive Care

The Effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on the Ankle-Brachial Index and Haemodynamic Responses in Patients in a Neurological Intensive Care Unit: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07524790
Enrollment
24
Registered
2026-04-13
Start date
2026-05-15
Completion date
2027-05-15
Last updated
2026-04-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Neurologic Disorder

Keywords

Proprioceptive Neuromusculer Facilitation, Neurological Intensive Care, Haemodynamic Responses

Brief summary

Although there are studies examining the effect of actively performed PNF exercises on haemodynamic responses in intensive care patients and healthy individuals, there are no studies investigating their effect on circulation and haemodynamic responses in unconscious patients. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the acute effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises on peripheral circulation and haemodynamic responses in patients admitted to a neurological intensive care unit. Hypotheses: H1-1: Passively administered PNF exercises have beneficial effects on peripheral circulation. H2-1: Passively administered PNF exercises have beneficial effects on haemodynamic responses.

Interventions

The following PNF patterns will be applied to the upper extremity: * flexion - abduction - external rotation → extension - adduction - internal rotation * extension - abduction - internal rotation → flexion - adduction - external rotation The following PNF patterns will be applied to the lower extremities: * flexion - adduction - external rotation (with the knee extended) → extension - abduction - internal rotation * extension - adduction - external rotation (with the knee extended) → flexion - abduction - internal rotation All exercises will be performed passively by the physiotherapist. Each movement will be performed in sets of 10-12 repetitions, with a 30-second rest period between sets.

OTHERPassive Range of Motion Exercises

Exercises for the upper extremities: * shoulder flexion - extension * shoulder abduction - adduction * shoulder internal - external rotation * elbow flexion - extension * wrist flexion - extension * finger flexion - extension Exercises for the lower extremities: * hip flexion - extension * hip abduction - adduction * hip internal - external rotation * knee flexion - extension * ankle dorsiflexion - plantar flexion All exercises will be performed passively by the physiotherapist. Each movement will be performed in sets of 10-12 repetitions, with a 30-second rest period between sets.

Sponsors

Abant Izzet Baysal University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Masking description

The researcher conducting the measurements will not know which group the patients have been assigned to; this will ensure that the study is as blinded as possible. However, due to the nature of the exercises being performed, it will not be possible for the physiotherapist administering the treatment or the patients themselves to be blinded to the group allocation.

Intervention model description

two groups with a conventional therapy control group.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients being monitored in the neurology intensive care unit * Aged 18 years or over * Haemodynamically stable * No orthopaedic condition preventing the performance of passive joint movements in the upper and lower limbs * A signed informed consent form from a patient's next of relative for participation in the study

Exclusion criteria

* Presence of haemodynamic instability * Fractures, contractures or serious orthopaedic conditions in the upper or lower limbs that restrict movement * Diagnosis or suspicion of deep vein thrombosis * Severe peripheral arterial disease * Serious cardiac arrhythmia that may prevent exercise

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ankle-Brachial İndexBaseline and five or ten minutes after exerciseSystolic blood pressure will be measured at the brachial artery (upper limb) and the posterior tibial or dorsalis pedis artery (lower limb) using a Hadesco ES-101EX Doppler device, with patients in a supine resting position. The cuff will be placed at mid-arm and above the malleolus. It will be inflated until the pulse disappears and deflated slowly; the first reappearance of the pulse will be recorded as systolic pressure. Measurements will be taken in order: same-side arm, same-side leg, opposite leg, and opposite arm. The ankle-brachial index will be calculated as the ratio of the highest lower limb systolic pressure to the highest upper limb systolic pressure.
Heart RateBaseline and five or ten minutes after exerciseHeart rate will be recorded as beats per minute and breaths per minute, respectively, based on data obtained from the patient monitor. Measurement will be taken whilst patients are in the supine position and at rest.
Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressureBaseline and five or ten minutes after exerciseSystolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements will be taken from the patient's upper extremity using an appropriately sized cuff and recorded in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). Measurement will be taken whilst patients are in the supine position and at rest.
Respiratory rateBaseline and five or ten minutes after exerciserespiratory rate will be recorded as beats per minute and breaths per minute, respectively, based on data obtained from the patient monitor. Measurement will be taken whilst patients are in the supine position and at rest.
Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂)Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercisePeripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) will be measured using a pulse oximeter. Measurement will be taken whilst patients are in the supine position and at rest.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate Pressure ProductBaseline and five or ten minutes after exerciseRate Pressure Product is calculated by dividing the product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure by 1,000
Quadriceps circumference measurementBaseline and five or ten minutes after exerciseMeasurements will be taken whilst patients are in the supine position or, where appropriate, in a seated position. During the measurement, a non-elastic tape measure will be used to measure the circumference at the widest part of the thigh. The tape measure will be placed parallel to the thigh circumference, and the measurement result will be recorded in centimetres (cm). To enhance the reliability of the measurement, two separate measurements will be taken for each patient, and the average of the obtained values will be used in the analyses.
Oxford Acute Severity of Illness ScoreBaseline and five or ten minutes after exerciseOxford Acute Severity of Illness Score comprises a total of 10 parameters: age, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, Glasgow Coma Scale, urine output, mechanical ventilation status, length of stay in intensive care, and the presence of elective surgery. Each parameter is assessed according to specific score ranges, and the total score indicates the severity of the illness. Higher scores indicate a higher risk of mortality.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 14, 2026