Neurophysiological Facilitation of Respiration is a treatment technique used for respiratory care of patients with unconscious or non-alert, and ventilated, and also with a neurological condition
NPF is the use of external proprioceptive and tactile stimuli that produce reflex respiratory movement responses and that increase the rate and depth of breathing
4. Introduction
PNF: Facilitation make easier
Neuromuscular facilitation: Process by
which response of neuromuscular
mechanism is made easier
Developed by: dr.Herman Kabat and Miss
Mrgaret Knott
5. Definition
Neurophysiological facilitation of respiration
is the use of selective external
proprioceptive and tactile stimuli that
produce reflexive movement response in the
ventilatory apparatus to assist respiration.
6. Principal of Respiratory PNF
Use the stretch reflex to facilitate the initiation of
inhalation continue with repeated stretch through
range (repeated contraction) to facilitate an increase
Inspiratory volume.
Appropriate résistance strengthen the muscle and
guide to the chest motion.
13. Effects of PNF
Visibly deeper respiration – larger expansion
of the ribs and increased epigastric excursion
Increased visible tone in abdominal muscles
Change in respiratory rate
Involuntary coughing
14. Effects of PNF
More normal respiratory pattern
Rapid return of mechanical stability
Change in breath sound on auscultation
Retention of improved respiratory pattern after
treatment period
Apparent increase in the level of consciousness
15. Clinical Application
Co-contraction of the abdomen
Vertebral pressure on upper and lower thoracic
vertebrae
Intercostal stretch
Manual pressure(moderate)
Anterior stretch –lifting the posterior basal area
Perioral stimulation
16. Co-contraction of the abdomen
Method: Pressure laterally over lower ribs
and pelvis, Alternate right and left sides
Observation:
Increase epigastric movement
Increase muscle contraction
(rectus abdomens
Decrease girth in obese
Depression of umbilicus
Suggested mechanism: Stretch receptors in abdominal
muscle ,intercostals to phrenic reflex
17. Vertebral Pressure on Upper and
Lower Thoracic Vertebrae
Method: Manual
pressure to thoracic
vertebrae in Region of
T2-T5(Upper) and T7-
T10 (lower)
Observation: Pressure on upper vertebrae –increase
epigastric excursions ,deep breathing. Pressure on lower
vertebrae. Increase respiratory movement of Apical thorax
Suggested mechanism: dorsal root –mediated
intersegmental reflex
18. Intercostals Stretch
Suggested mechanism: Intercostals Stretch
Receptors
Method: Stretch on expiratory
phase maintained
Observation: Increase
movement of area being
stretched
19. Manual Pressure (Moderate)
Method: moderate pressure over thorax
Observation: gradually increased excursion
Over applied pressure area
Suggested Mechanism: Cuteneous afferents
20. Anterior Stretch
Lifting the Posterior Basal Area
Suggested mechanism: stretch receptor in
intercostals ,back muscles. Dorsal root mediated
intersegmental reflex
Method: Hands under lower
ribs, Ribs lifted upwards
Observation: expansion of
Posterior and lateral basal
area
Increase epigastic excursion
21. Peri-oral Stimulation
Suggested mechanism: primitive reflex related to
sucking
Method: Pressure applied to top lip
By therapist finger and maintain
Observation: increase epigastic
excursion deep breathing,mouth
closure, swallowing ,Snout
phenomena