title: Effect of eye movements and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on balance and head alignment in stroke patients with neglect syndrome.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of eye movements and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on patients with neglect syndrome. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the eye movements (EM) group; and the PNF with eye movements (PEM) group. The program was conducted five times each week for 6 weeks. Balance (both static and dynamic) and head alignment (craniovertebral angle and cranial rotation angle) were measured before and after testing. [Results] In measurements of static balance, the EM group showed significant improvement in sway length and sway area when examined in the eyes-open condition, but not when examined in the eyes-closed condition. The PEM group showed significant improvement when examined under both conditions. In the assessment of dynamic balance, both groups showed significant improvement in measurements of sway areas. With respect to head alignment, there were no significant differences pre- and post-testing in either the craniovertebral angle or the cranial rotation angle in the EM group, but the PEM group showed significant differences in both measurements. [Conclusion] These results suggest that in stroke patients with neglect syndrome, PNF with eye movements, rather than eye movements alone, has a greater positive effect on balance and head alignment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Pohang College, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Si-Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Ok
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Namseoul University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Bin
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, International University of Korea, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Wan-Suk
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soon-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Eye movements; Neglect syndrome; Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation