Aims: Stroke is a localized and sudden neurological disorder in the brain that can decrease muscle strength. This study aimed to determine the effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercises on the muscle strength of stroke patients. Materials & Methods: This pre-post clinical trial with a randomized control group was conducted in 2017-2018. Patients with stroke were referred to the Neurology Department of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Yasuj City, Iran. Sixty eligible stroke patients were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to intervention and control groups using random block allocation. Data were collected through a muscle strength questionnaire at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and four weeks after the last intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software, employing Wilcoxson and Mann-Whitney U. Findings: There was no statistically significant difference in muscle strength between the research samples before and immediately after the intervention. However, one month after the intervention, a statistically significant difference was reported between the two groups (p<0.05). The difference in the mean muscle strength was significant in the test group (p=0.001). Conclusion: Implementing Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques improves muscle strength in stroke patients.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the third most common cause of adult neurologic disabilities. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks of neuromuscular Exercises on strength, Proprioceptive receptors, and balance of women with MS. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial study, 20 female volunteers with relapsing‑, remitting MS were randomly assigned into the experimental group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). Maximum muscular strength of knee extensor and flexor muscles, knee joint Proprioceptive error (Biodex), and balance (Berg Balance Scale) was measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of neuromuscular exercise. The data were analyzed using paired t‑, test and independent t‑, test. Results: The results showed a significant improvement (P < 0. 05) in the quadriceps strength, hamstring strength, Proprioceptive receptor error, and the balance in the experimental group, but not in the control group. A signifi, cant difference was evident between the experimental and control groups in terms of strength, balance, and Proprioceptive receptor error (P < 0. 05). Conclusions: Neuromuscular exercise training is effective in improving balance, strength, and reducing the Proprioceptive error in people with MS, and it could be recommended as modalities for these patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of sexual education and sensory, Proprioceptive, and tactile Exercises in reducing anxiety in children aged 4 to 7 years.   Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. A sample of 30 children, aged 4 to 7 years, was selected from five clinics in Tehran using convenience sampling. The participants were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (10 participants each) and one control group (10 participants). The research tools included the Sensory Integration Evaluation Form by Ryz, the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale, a sexual education training package for parents, and a sensory integration exercise package for the children. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with Greenhouse-Geisser and Huynh-Feldt adjustments due to violations of the sphericity assumption.   Findings: The findings revealed significant reductions in anxiety for both experimental groups compared to the control group. The sensory, Proprioceptive, and tactile Exercises group demonstrated the most substantial reduction in anxiety, particularly in generalized anxiety, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and separation anxiety. In the sexual education group, anxiety also decreased significantly, especially in social phobia and separation anxiety. The control group did not show significant changes in anxiety levels across the study's three phases (pre-test, post-test, follow-up).   Conclusion: Both sensory-based interventions and sexual education significantly reduced anxiety in children, with sensory, Proprioceptive, and tactile Exercises showing the most pronounced effects. These findings support the use of multi-modal approaches for anxiety reduction in children and suggest that both interventions could be effectively integrated into therapeutic and educational practices.

Introduction: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) resulting from repetitive sprains can influence the performance in volleyball players. So, conservative strategies are important to manage such conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of strengthening/Proprioceptive Exercises (SPE) and Kinesiotaping ® (KT) on volleyball players with CAI.Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight volleyball players (Mean±SD, Age: 23.0±2.7 years; Playing years: 5.6±2.2 years) were divided into three groups including SPE (N=13), KT (N=13), and control (N=12). The Thera-Band was used for strengthening Exercises and Proprioceptive Exercises were followed in closed kinetic chain Exercises for 8 weeks. The KT method was administrated for peroneus muscles and also tibiofibular ligament. The participants were evaluated by Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, Single-leg Hopping test, and Heel raise test at baseline and after completing the interventions.Results: Both the SPE and KT can significantly increase foot and ankle ability and improve performance in volleyball players with CAI (P<0.001). However, a combination method of treatment is more effective compared to using exercise therapy alone.Conclusion: A combination method involving the SPE and KT can be beneficial to improve the ability and performance and achieving favorable results in volleyball players with CAI.

2Background and aims: The aging process leads to changes in motor performance, including decreased balance and weakened muscular strength, increasing the risk of falls. This study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of Proprioceptive Exercises on balance, proprioception, and muscle strength in elderly individuals and adults. Methods: In a semi-experimental, 20 adults and 20 elderly individuals (with average ages of 27.20 and 65.73 years) were randomly selected. Balance was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, while proprioception was measured with a digital camera and AutoCAD software. Isometric muscle strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles was evaluated with a hand-held dynamometer. Assessments were conducted before, immediately after, and one hour post Exercises. Data analysis was performed using a mixed model for repeated measures design. Results: Significant improvements were showed in proprioception, with both adult and elderly groups experiencing enhancements of 32.21% and 30.54%, respectively (p<0.05). The TUG test revealed a significant difference between the two groups, with the adults and elderly showing improvements of 7.77% and 2.02%, respectively, compared to their pre-exercise performance (p<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant variation in isometric strength of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles between the groups (p<0.05). Following the Exercises, quadriceps muscle strength improved by 9.88% and 4.30% in the adults and elderly groups, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: The immediate benefits of Proprioceptive Exercises can be harnessed by healthcare professionals and community members to enhance the motor functions of both elderly individuals and adults.

Background and Aim: Neck musculoskeletal disorders are common among dentists. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of Proprioceptive Exercises on pain and disability index in female dentists with nonspecific chronic neck pain. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was distributed among 24 female dentists matched by age, gender, and neck pain complaints in the past three months. Particpants were randomly divided into two groups: the first group received Proprioceptive Exercises and the second group were not give any intervention. The pain and disability assessment were administered in the baseline and after six weeks of Exercises. The Kolmogorov Smirnoff and Wilcoxon were used for statistical data analysis (α ≥ 0. 05). Results: The results of the present study revealed significant decrease in neck pain (P=0. 006) and disability index (P=0. 008) after six weeks of Proprioceptive exercise. Conclusion: According to the results, the Proprioceptive exercise intervention was successful in decreasing pain and disability in female dentists with chronic neck pain. Considering the extreme effect of the Proprioceptive exercise group, we recommend that this program be used in the correction of individuals with chronic neck pain and muscles imbalance.