Immediate effects of lumbar spine patterns after neuromuscular joint facilitation on balance in stroke patients.
Hualong Xie, Ming Huo, Qiuchen Huang and 6 others
PMID 32038068WHAT IT FOUND
A single session of lumbar spine joint facilitation improved functional reach and reduced body sway in 14 stroke patients compared with rest.
The effect lasted only immediately after treatment, and the small sample means these results are preliminary.
Key findings
01Functional reach test scores increased significantly after the neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention compared to the control period.
02The peripheral area of body sway decreased significantly after the intervention, indicating improved static standing balance.
03The study included only 14 participants who could already walk without crutches, limiting generalizability to acute or non-ambulatory patients.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample size was very small (14 participants), which limits the reliability of the findings. The study measured immediate effects only; there is no data on whether the balance improvements persist after the session or with repeated treatment. All participants were already able to walk without crutches, so the results do not apply to patients with more severe mobility impairments or those in the acute phase of stroke. The crossover design with a one-day interval may not fully wash out carryover effects from the first intervention to the second.
Declared interests
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest related to this work.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a single session of this lumbar spine technique leads to lasting functional recovery. The study measured balance only immediately after treatment, and the small, high-functioning sample means these findings are preliminary and do not yet support long-term clinical integration.