EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION ON LOW BACK PAIN AND FUNCTIONALITY AMONG TAILORS

Abstract

Background:

Due to extended sitting, protracted postures, repetitive motions, and unfavorable ergonomic conditions, low back pain is a prevalent occupational musculoskeletal issue among tailors. Pain, functional restrictions, and a lower quality of life could result from these issues. A therapy strategy called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) may enhance neuromuscular control, flexibility, and functional performance.

Methods:

Forty tailors participated in a randomized experimental trial; they were split into two groups: the control group (n = 20) and the experimental group (n = 20). For four weeks, five days a week, the experimental group received PNF approaches in addition to conventional occupational therapy, whereas only conventional occupational therapy was given to the control group. The duration of each session was 45 minutes. The Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire from Oswestry and the WHOQOL-BREF used to measure low back disability respectively.

Results:

While the control group's score increased from 41.65 to 33.60, the experimental group's mean low back impairment score decreased from 41.25 to 26.30. The groups differed statistically significantly after the intervention (t = 2.628, p = 0.012). Additionally, the experimental group outperformed the control group in all four WHOQOL-BREF domains (p < 0.003).

Conclusion:

When paired with traditional occupational treatment, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation was more successful than traditional occupational therapy alone in lowering low back impairment and enhancing tailors' functionality and quality of life.