The purpose of this study was to measure the immediate effects of single-session proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises on the sit-to-stand (STS) task and level of pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Fifty-three patients were assigned to the control and intervention groups. The total time was 30 minutes (each exercise 5 minutes). The minimum vertical ground reaction force (VGRF min) and maximum vertical ground reaction force (VGRF max) and time phases (T min - time to counterforce, T max - time to peak force, T tot - time to post-peak rebound force) were measured with a Kistler force plate in eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions during the STS task. Pain level was determined on a numeric rating scale. Main effects were observed only in the intervention group: decreasing pain value (F = 25.398, p < 0.0001), increasing T min (F = 5.72, p = 0.0044), decreasing T max (F = 3.43, p = 0.04), and decreasing T tot (F = 3.935, p = 0.02258). There was a main effect of the eyes factor on VGRF min (F = 12.53, p < 0.0001) and VGRF max (F = 7.16, p < 0.01). Immediate effects of single-session proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises were observed in decreasing the level of pain. Adaptation effects were noted in the retention test. The STS task could be optimized in time phases and dynamic movements in patients with chronic low back pain.
Reprinted from the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics with copyright permission from the National University of Health Sciences.

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