Introduction: Stroke results from interruption of blood supply to the brain due to rupture or blockage of a blood vessel, which leads to brain damage. Post-stroke patients typically exhibit an asymmetric gait pattern, with a correlation between the degree of asymmetry, the deterioration of balance and the decline in gait velocity. Improving balance and regaining walking function are important treatment goals for stroke patients. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation is a concept that improves a patient's ability to hold a position or perform a movement by stimulating different receptors in the body, which is why it is often used to improve balance and gait in patients. Purpose: This thesis aims to review the literature to determine the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns for the pelvis and/or lower limbs in improving balance and gait in post-stroke patients. Methods: In the diploma thesis, we used a descriptive method based on a literature review. The literature search was conducted in the Cinahl, Cochrane Library, PEDro, Pubmed and Science Direct databases using the following keywords or phrases in English: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation AND stroke AND (balance OR gait). Results: The literature review included six randomized controlled trials rated on the PEDro scale with scores ranging from 5 to 9. Of the six studies included, 5 investigated the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on balance, and 4 of the 6 investigated the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on walking. All five studies that examined the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on balance in stroke patients showed change, which was statistically significant in four of them. In the studies examining the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on walking in stroke patients, one study showed no change, while the other three showed a statistically significant improvement. Discussion and Conclusion: The results suggest that it is reasonable to include proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns for the pelvis and/or lower limb in the physiotherapy treatment of post-stroke patients, as they improve balance and gait. Future research should further investigate the long-term effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns in post-stroke patients.
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