An empirical study on the effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation training on the recovery of patients with medial collateral ligament injury: A randomized controlled trial

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Objective To investigate whether adding a supervised proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training program to standard postoperative rehabilitation improves knee function and recovery outcomes after medial collateral ligament (MCL) reconstrzuction, compared to standard rehabilitation alone. Methods In this assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 60 patients post-MCL reconstruction were allocated to either an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The experimental group received standard rehabilitation plus daily, 60-minute supervised PNF training for 12 weeks. The control group received standard rehabilitation only. Primary outcomes were knee flexion range of motion (ROM) and pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included the Lysholm Knee Score and isokinetic muscle strength (peak torque). Results The group receiving the additional supervised PNF program demonstrated significantly greater knee flexion ROM (P &lt; 0.01) and lower VAS pain scores (P &lt; 0.01) at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively, with the difference in pain becoming non-significant by week 12 (P = 0.079). Significant improvements were also observed in Lysholm scores and quadriceps/hamstring muscle strength at all follow-up points (P &lt; 0.01). Repeated measures ANOVA confirmed significant time-by-group interactions for all outcomes (P &lt; 0.01). Conclusion The addition of a 12-week supervised PNF training program to standard postoperative rehabilitation was associated with superior short-term improvements in knee ROM, faster pain relief, and better functional and strength recovery following MCL reconstruction. However, the study design cannot differentiate the specific effects of PNF techniques from the increased treatment intensity and attention provided. These findings support the use of a more intensive, supervised rehabilitation approach incorporating PNF, but further research with an attention-matched control group is required to isolate the specific contribution of PNF.</p>