1. Hartvigsen J, Hancock MJ, Kongsted A, Louw Q,
Ferreira ML, Genevay S, et al. What low back pain is
and why we need to pay attention. The Lancet. 2018
Jun 9;391(10137):2356-67.
2. O’Sullivan K, O’Sullivan PB, O’Keeffe M. The Lancet
series on low back pain: reflections and clinical
implications. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British
Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine; 2019.
3. James SL, Abate D, Abate KH, Abay SM, Abbafati
C, Abbasi N, et al. Global, regional, and national
incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability
for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and
territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the
Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet
2018;392(10159):1789-858.
4. Lee JH, Hoshino Y, Nakamura K, Kariya Y, Saita K,
Ito K. Trunk muscle weakness as a risk factor for
low back pain: a 5-year prospective study. Spine.
1999;24(1):54-7.
5. Malmivaara A, Esmail R, Koes B. Exercise therapy
for low back pain: a systematic review within the
framework of the cochrane collaboration back review
group. Spine 2000;25(21):2784-96.
6. Nourbakhsh MR, Arab AM. Relationship between
mechanical factors and incidence of low back pain.
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.
2002;32(9):447-60.
7. Areeudomwong P, Wongrat W, Neammesri N,
Thongsakul T. A randomized controlled trial on the
long‐term effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation training, on pain‐related outcomes and
back muscle activity, in patients with chronic low
back pain. Musculoskeletal care. 2017;15(3):218-29.
8. Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA. Clinical
Guidelines Committee of the American College of
P. Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and
chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline
from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern
Med. 2017;166(7):514-30.
9. Falla D, Hodges PW. Individualized exercise
interventions for spinal pain. Exercise and sport
sciences reviews. 2017;45(2):105-15.
10. van Tulder MW, Koes BW, Metsemakers JF, Bouter LM.
Chronic low back pain in primary care: a prospective
study on the management and course. Family Practice.
1998;15(2):126-32.
11. Bekkering GE, Hendriks HJ, Koes BW, Oostendorp RA,
Ostelo RW, Thomassen JM, et al. Dutch physiotherapy
guidelines for low back pain. Physiotherapy.
2003;89(2):82-96.
12. Adler SS, Beckers D, Buck M. PNF in practice. 4th
edition ed. Berlin: Springer-Medizin; 2014.
13. Voss DE, Ionta MK, Myers BJ, Knott M. Proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation: patterns and techniques.
Philadelphia, PA: Harper & Row; 1985.
14. Johnson GS, Johnson VS. The application of the
principles and procedures of PNF for the care of
lumbar spinal instabilities. Journal of Manual &
Manipulative Therapy. 2002;10(2):83-105.
15. Knott M, Voss DE. Proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation: patterns and techniques. 2 ed.
Philadelphia: Hoeber Medical Division, Harper &
Row; 1968.
16. Smedes F, Heidmann M, Schäfer C, Fischer N, Stępień
A. The proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitationconcept;
the state of the evidence, a narrative review.
Physical Therapy Reviews. 2016;21(1):17-31.
17. Sharman MJ, Cresswell AG, Riek S. Proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation stretching. Sports
Medicine. 2006;36(11):929-39.
18. Park K, Seo K. The effects on the pain index and
lumbar flexibility of obese patients with low back pain
after PNF scapular and PNF pelvic patterns. Journal of
physical therapy science. 2014;26(10):1571-4.
19. Victoria GD, Carmen E-V, Alexandru S, Antoanela
O, Florin C, Daniel D. The PNF (proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation) stretching technique-A
brief review. Ovidius University Annals, Series
Physical Education & Sport/Science, Movement &
Health 2013;13(2):623-8.
20. Sullivan PE, Markos PD. Clinical decision making in
therapeutic exercise. Norwalk, Connecticut: Appleton
& Lange; 1995.
21. Kofotolis N, Kellis E. Effects of two 4-week
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation programs
on muscle endurance, flexibility, and functional
performance in women with chronic low back pain.
Physical therapy. 2006;86(7):1001-12..
22. Maicki T, Bilski J, Szczygieł E, Trąbka R. PNF and
manual therapy treatment results of patients with
cervical spine osteoarthritis. Journal of back and
musculoskeletal rehabilitation. 2017;30(5):1095-
101.
23. Pourahmadi MR, Taghipour M, Takamjani IE, Sanjari
MA, Mohseni-Bandpei MA, Keshtkar AA. Motor control
exercise for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation:
protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BMJ open. 2016;6(9).
24. Byström MG, Rasmussen-Barr E, Grooten WJ. Motor
control exercises reduces pain and disability in
chronic and recurrent low back pain: a meta-analysis.
Spine. 2013;38(6):E350-8.
25. Tong MH, Mousavi SJ, Kiers H, Ferreira P, Refshauge
K, van Dieën J. Is there a relationship between lumbar
proprioception and low back pain? A systematic
review with meta-analysis. Archives of physical
medicine and rehabilitation. 2017;98(1):120-36.
26. Lederman E. Neuromuscular rehabilitation in manual
and physical therapy. Churchill Livingstone. 2010;128.
27. George AJ, Kumar D, Nikhil NP. Effectiveness of
trunk proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
training in mechanical low back pain. Int J Curr Res.
2013;5(7):1965-8.
28. McCaskey MA, Wirth B, Schuster-Amft C, de Bruin ED.
Postural sensorimotor training versus sham exercise
in physiotherapy of patients with chronic non-specific
low back pain: An exploratory randomised controlled
trial. PloS one. 2018;13(3).
29. Kofotolis ND, Vlachopoulos SP, Kellis E. Sequentially
allocated clinical trial of rhythmic stabilization
exercises and TENS in women with chronic low back
pain. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2008;22(2):99-111.
30. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. Preferred
reporting items for systematic reviews and metaanalyses:
the PRISMA statement. International
journal of surgery 2010;8(5):336-41.
31. Morrison A, Polisena J, Husereau D, Moulton K, Clark
M, Fiander M, et al. The effect of English-language
restriction on systematic review-based metaanalyses:
a systematic review of empirical studies.
International journal of technology assessment in
health care. 2012;28(2):138-44.
32. Hoy D, March L, Brooks P, Blyth F, Woolf A, Bain C, et
al. The global burden of low back pain: estimates from
the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. Annals of
the rheumatic diseases. 2014;73(6):968-74.
33. Van Tulder M, Becker A, Bekkering T, Breen A, Gil
del Real MT, Hutchinson A, et al. Chapter 3 European
guidelines for the management of acute nonspecific
low back pain in primary care. European spine journal
2006;15:s169-s91.
34. Saragiotto BT, Maher CG, Yamato TP, Costa LO, Costa
LC, Ostelo RW, et al. Motor control exercise for chronic
non‐specific low‐back pain. Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews. 2016(1).
35. Bagg MK, McLachlan AJ, Maher CG, Kamper SJ,
Williams CM, Henschke N, et al. Paracetamol, NSAIDS
and opioid analgesics for chronic low back pain:
a network meta‐analysis. Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews. 2018(6).
36. Verhagen AP, de Vet HC, de Bie RA, Kessels AG, Boers
M, Bouter LM, et al. The Delphi list: a criteria list
for quality assessment of randomized clinical trials
for conducting systematic reviews developed by
Delphi consensus. Journal of clinical epidemiology.
1998;51(12):1235-41.
37. Altman DG. Practical statistics for medical research
(p. 404). London: Chapman & Hall; 1991.
38. Harris RJ, Deeks JJ, Altman DG, Bradburn MJ, Harbord
RM, Sterne JA. Metan: fixed-and random-effects metaanalysis.
The Stata Journal. 2008;8(1):3-28.
39. Rubinstein SM, Terwee CB, Assendelft WJ, de Boer
MR, van Tulder MW. Spinal manipulative therapy
for acute low‐back pain. The Cochrane Library
2012:CD008880.
40. Higgins J, Green S. Cochrane handbook for systematic
reviews of intervention s5.2.0 (updated June 2017).
The Cochrane Collaboration. Available from training.
cochrane.org/handbook; 2017.
41. Deeks J, Higgins J, Altman D. analysing data and
undertaking meta-analysis. In: Higgins J, Green S,
editors. handbook for systematic reviews. Wiley-
Blackwell; 2011, p. 243–96.
42. Lau J, Ioannidis JP, Terrin N, Schmid CH, Olkin
I. The case of the misleading funnel plot. Bmj.
2006;333(7568):597-600..
43. Duval S, Tweedie R. Trim and fill: a simple funnel‐plot–
based method of testing and adjusting for publication
bias in meta‐analysis. Biometrics. 2000;56(2):455-63.
44. Patsopoulos NA, Evangelou E, Ioannidis JP.
Sensitivity of between-study heterogeneity in
meta-analysis: proposed metrics and empirical
evaluation. International journal of epidemiology.
2008;37(5):1148-57.
45. Guyatt GH, Oxman AD, Vist GE, Kunz R, Falck-Ytter Y,
Alonso-Coello P, et al. GRADE: an emerging consensus
on rating quality of evidence and strength of
recommendations. Bmj. 2008;336(7650):924-6.
46. Huang Q, Li D, Zhang J, Yang D, Huo M, Maruyama
H. Comparison of the efficacy of different long-term
interventions on chronic low back pain using the
cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle and
the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle
as evaluation indicators. Journal of physical therapy
science. 2014;26(12):1851-4.
47. Chapman C, Bakkum BW. Chiropractic management of
a US Army veteran with low back pain and piriformis
syndrome complicated by an anatomical anomaly
of the piriformis muscle: a case study. Journal of
chiropractic medicine. 2012;11(1):24-9.
48. Park SE, Wang JS. Effect of joint mobilization using
KEOMT and PNF on a patient with CLBP and a lumbar
transitional vertebra: a case study. Journal of physical
therapy science. 2015;27(5):1629-32.
49. Rameshchandra Patel R. Effect of proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation on core strength in healthy
females: An experimental study. International Journal
of Multidisciplinary Research and Development
2017;4(5):65-9.
50. Jeon JK. The effects of combination patterns exercise
of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on
balance in chronic low back pain elderly patients.
Journal of Digital Convergence. 2013;11(4):361-8.
51. Kim K, Kim EK, Lee DK. Effects of PNF patterns exercise
on pain, functional disability and fear avoidance belief
in chronic low back pain patients. Journal of Korean
Physical Therapy. 2014;26(2):110-6.
52. Amodeo J, Bresso N, Calati J, Duca A. AquaLogix
vs.“standard” aquatic equipment in cardinal and
multi-planar (PNF) patterns with patients who have
non-descript low back pain. InConference Poster &
Research Presentation Sessions (p. 14).
53. Zaworski K, Latosiewicz R. The effectiveness of
manual therapy and proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation (PNF) compared with traditional
kinesiotherapy in the treatment of non-specific low
back pain. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation
Medicine 2018;61:e15.
54. Byuon S, Son H. The effects of proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation and stabilizing exercise
on trunk repositioning errors. Journal of physical
therapy science. 2012;24(10):1017-20.
55. Franklin CV, Kalirathinam D, Palekar T, Nathani N.
Effectiveness of PNF training for chronic low back
pain. J Nurs Health Sci. 2013;2(4):41-52.
56. Hosseinifar M, Akbari A, Ghiasi F, Shamsoaldini
N, Shahraki R. The effects of proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation exercises on pain, function,
lumbar mobility, and lumbar lordosis in patients with
non-specific chronic low back pain. International
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research & Allied Sciences
2016;5(4):250-61.
57. Jadeja T, Vyas N, Sheth MS. To study the effect of
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on back
muscle strength, pain and quality of life in subjects
with chronic low back pain – An experimental
study. International Journal of Physiotherapy
2015;2(5):778-85.
58. Kim B-R, Lee H-J. Effects of proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation-based abdominal muscle
strengthening training on pulmonary function, pain,
and functional disability index in chronic low back
pain patients. Journal of exercise rehabilitation
2017;13(4):486.
59. Kotteeswaran K, Snigdha J, Alagesan J. Effect of
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching
and dynamic soft tissue mobilization on hamstring
flexibility in subjects with low back ache-single
blinded randomised controlled study. International
Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences 2014;5(3):228-33.
60. Kumar A, Zutshi K, Narang N. Efficacy of trunk
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training on
chronic low back pain. International Journal of Sports
Science and Engineering. 2011;5(03):174-80.
61. Kumar P, Moitra M. Efficacy of muscle energy technique
and pnf stretching compared to conventional
physiotherapy in program of hamstring flexibility
in chronic nonspecific low back pain. Quadriceps
Femoris Strength Training: effect of Neuromuscular
Electrical Stimulation Vs Isometric Exercise in
Osteoarthritis of Knee. 2015;9(3):103.
62. Lee C-W, Hwangbo K, Lee I-S. The effects of combination
patterns of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
and ball exercise on pain and muscle activity of
chronic low back pain patients. Journal of physical
therapy science 2014;26(1):93-6.
63. Malla S, Chahal A, Tiku RK, Kaul B. Effect of Motor
Control Exercise on Swiss Ball and PNF Technique
on Non-Specific Low Back Pain. International
Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences.
2018;7(4):114-24.
64. Mavromoustakos S, Beneka A, Malliou V, Adamidis
A, Kellis E, Kagiaoglou A. Effects of a 6-week
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
intervention on pain and disability in individuals with
chronic low back pain. Journal of Physical Activity,
Nutrition and Rehabilitation 2015.
65. Mistry GS, Vyas NJ, Sheth MS. Comparison Of The Effect
Of Active Release Technique Versus Proprioceptive
Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching (Modified
Hold-Relax) On Hamstring Flexibility In Patients
Having Chronic Low Back Pain. Natl J Integr Res Med.
2015;6(5):66-70.
66. Olczak A, Kuliński W, Domaniecki J. The PNF method
in the treatment of intervertebral disc disease.
Fizjoterapia Polska 2008;8(3):241-52.
67. Tanvi A, Shalini G, Parul R, Gaurav S. Effect of
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation program
on muscle endurance, strength, pain, and functional
performance in women with post-partum lumbopelvic
pain. IOSR J Dent Med Sci. 2013;7:60-7.
68. Young KJ, Je CW, Hwa ST. Effect of proprioceptive
neuromuscular facilitation integration pattern and
swiss ball training on pain and balance in elderly
patients with chronic back pain. Journal of physical
therapy science. 2015;27(10):3237-40.
69. Lewis M, Peiris CL, Shields N. Long-term home
and community-based exercise programs improve
function in community-dwelling older people with
cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Journal of
physiotherapy. 2017;63(1):23-9.
70. Rattehalli RD, Zhao S, Li BG, Jayaram MB, Xia
J, Sampson S. Risperidone versus placebo for
schizophrenia. The Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews. 2016;2016(12).
71. Moseley GL, Flor H. Targeting cortical
representations in the treatment of chronic pain:
a review. Neurorehabilitation and neural repair.
2012;26(6):646-52.
72. Röijezon U, Clark NC, Treleaven J. Proprioception
in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Part 1: Basic
science and principles of assessment and clinical
interventions. Manual therapy. 2015;20(3):368-77.
73. Yamashita TO, Cavanaugh JM, El-Bohy AA, Getchell
TV, King AI. Mechanosensitive afferent units in the
lumbar facet joint. The Journal of bone and joint
surgery. American volume. 1990;72(6):865-70.
74. Merletti R, Parker PJ, editors. Electromyography:
physiology, engineering, and non-invasive
applications. John Wiley & Sons; 2004.
75. Crone C. Reciprocal inhibition in man. Danish medical
bulletin. 1993;40(5):571-81..
76. Pierrot-Deseilligny E, Burke D. The circuitry of the
human spinal cord: its role in motor control and
movement disorders. 4th ed. Cambridge Cambridge
University Press; 2012.
77. Magnusson SP, Simonsen EB, Aagaard P, Dyhre-
Poulsen P, McHugh MP, Kjaer M. Mechanical and
physiological responses to stretching with and without
preisometric contraction in human skeletal muscle.
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
1996;77(4):373-8.