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

NCT07524790 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: AIBU-FTR-BS-002
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

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.

Conditions

Neurologic Disorder

Keywords

Proprioceptive Neuromusculer Facilitation; Neurological Intensive Care; Haemodynamic Responses

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Ankle-Brachial İndex

  Systolic 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.

  Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercise

• Heart Rate

  Heart 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.

  Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercise

• Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure

  Systolic 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.

  Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercise

• Respiratory rate

  respiratory 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.

  Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercise

• Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂)

  Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) will be measured using a pulse oximeter. Measurement will be taken whilst patients are in the supine position and at rest.

  Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercise

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Rate Pressure Product

  Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercise

• Quadriceps circumference measurement

  Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercise

• Oxford Acute Severity of Illness Score

  Baseline and five or ten minutes after exercise

Study Arms (2)

PNF Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients in the PNF group will undergo proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises. The exercises will be performed with patients in the supine position and the head elevated by 30°.

Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercises

Control Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Patients in the control group will undergo passive range of motion (PROM) exercises in the same position.

Other: Passive Range of Motion Exercises

Interventions

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercises OTHER

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.

Also known as: PNF

PNF Group

Passive Range of Motion Exercises OTHER

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.

Also known as: PROM

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Abant Izzet Baysal University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Nervous System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: 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.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: two groups with a conventional therapy control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 3, 2026
• First Posted: April 13, 2026
• Study Start: May 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2027
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04