Guillain Barré SyndromePNF-CORE-GBSNCT07745556
Effect of PNF + Core Strengthening Exercise in Sub-acute Guillain Barre Syndrome
A study testing Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exercise and conventional physiotherapy in people with Guillain Barré Syndrome, run by Rida at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exercises in Guillain barre syndrome patients on balance, strength and ADLS. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Guillain Barré Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exercise and conventional physiotherapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 32 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Feb 2026to 18 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- participants diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) based on neurological criteria
- At the subacute or recovery stage of GBS, meaning within two to 12 weeks from disease onset
- Age ranges from 18 to 45 years
- Gender does not matter; both males and females can participate
- Medical stability of the patient and being medically cleared to engage in intensive rehabilitation by a physical Ability to give informed consent
Who cannot join
- Patients with cognitive disabilities and those who cannot follow commands
- Patients with unstable heart and breathing rates and other systemic disease
- Patients refusing to give their informed consent
- Presence of musculoskeletal problems with balance problems (recent fractures, arthritis)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
University of Lahore teaching hospital, Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000
About this study
Official title: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Core Strengthening Exercise in Guillain Barre Syndrome Patients
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exercises in Guillain barre syndrome patients on balance, strength and ADLS. A total of 32 participants will be recruited using purposive sampling and randomly assigned into two groups through the sealed envelope method. Balance will be assessed using berg balance scale, strength will be measured by MMT and ADLS will measure by berthal index at baseline and after completion of the intervention participants in the experimental group will receive PNF + core strengthening exercise four times in week for eight weeks, and conventional physical therapy will perform on control group .
Read the detailed description
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated inflammatory polyneuropathy characterized by rapidly progressive muscle weakness, diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes, sensory disturbances, impaired balance, and functional limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs). Although most patients recover gradually following the acute phase, many continue to experience persistent muscle weakness, impaired postural control, reduced trunk stability, and decreased functional independence during the subacute stage. Early rehabilitation plays a vital role in maximizing neurological recovery and improving functional outcomes.
Conventional physiotherapy is considered a standard rehabilitation approach for patients with subacute GBS and typically includes range of motion exercises, muscle strengthening, balance training, gait training, and functional mobility exercises. However, there is limited evidence regarding the additional benefits of combining Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) with core strengthening exercises in this population.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation is a therapeutic approach that facilitates neuromuscular control through diagonal movement patterns, proprioceptive input, and manual resistance to improve muscle activation, coordination, strength, and motor function. Core strengthening exercises target the muscles of the trunk and pelvis, enhancing postural stability, balance, and functional movement, which are essential for regaining independence after neurological impairment.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining PNF with core strengthening exercises in patients with subacute Guillain-Barré Syndrome. A total of 32 participants meeting the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated into two equal groups (16 participants per group). The experimental group will receive PNF techniques in combination with core strengthening exercises in addition to conventional physiotherapy, whereas the control group will receive conventional physiotherapy alone.
Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, after four weeks, and after eight weeks of intervention. Primary outcomes include balance, muscle strength, and activities of daily living, assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), and the Barthel Index (BI), respectively.
It is hypothesized that the addition of PNF and core strengthening exercises to conventional physiotherapy will result in greater improvements in balance, muscle strength, and functional independence compared with conventional physiotherapy alone. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence supporting more effective rehabilitation strategies for individuals with subacute Guillain-Barré Syndrome and contribute to evidence-based neurological physiotherapy practice.
- Conditions
- Guillain Barré Syndrome
- Being tested
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exercise, conventional physiotherapy
- Keywords
- Guillain-Barre syndrome, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, core strengthening, balance, muscle strength, activities of daily ;iving, neurorehabilitation
- Medical subject headings
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exerciseBehavioural
Participants will receive Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) using the Contract-Relax (CR) and Contract-Relax Agonist-Contract (CRAC) techniques for both upper and lower extremities. Each repetition consists of a 10-20 second passive or active stretch, followed by a 3-6 second isometric contraction against therapist resistance, and then a further stretch to the newly gained range of motion. In addition, participants will perform progressive core strengthening exercises, including pelvic control exercises, curl-ups, bridging (including single-leg and crossed-leg variations), and side bridging. Participants will be instructed to activate the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles throughout the exercises to improve trunk stability, balance, muscle strength, and functional independence.
conventional physiotherapyBehavioural
The conventional therapy included stretching and strengthening of upper and lower extremities, techniques to normalize the muscle tone, weight bearing exercises, active functional training to enhance postural and functional control and conventional balance training. The program included four sessions per week for eight weeks with duration of each session of about 45 minutes which included warm up of 5 minutes, conventional therapy for 35 minutes and cool down of 5 minutes with 1-2 minute rest between the tasks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| PNF + core strengthening exercise | Experimental | Participants in the experimental group will receive Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) combined with core strengthening exercises versus conventional physiotherapy. The intervention will be administered according to the study protocol over 4 times in week for 8-week period. Receives: Behavioral: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exercise |
| conventional physical therapy | Active comparator | Participants in the control group will receive conventional physiotherapy according to the standard rehabilitation protocol for patients with subacute Guillain-Barré Syndrome over 4 time per week for 8-week period. Receives: Behavioral: conventional physiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Balance
Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) . The Berg Balance Scale is a 14-item clinical scale that measures static and dynamic balance. Scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance and functional performance.
Measured: Baseline, week 4 and week 8
muscle strength
Muscle strength was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) Manual Muscle Testing scale. Muscle strength is graded from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates no muscle contraction and 5 indicates normal muscle strength. Higher scores indicate better muscle strength.
Measured: Baseline, week 4 and week 8
Activities of Daily living (ADL)
Activities of daily living were assessed using the Barthel Index (BI). The Barthel Index measures independence in activities of daily living. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater functional independence.
Measured: Baseline , week 4 and week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Aug 2026
- Study start15 Feb 2026
- Primary completion15 Apr 2026
- Study completion18 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Guillain Barré SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Rida
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Rida, University of Lahore
- Investigators
- Rida Rao, MSPTN, Principal investigator, The University of Lahore , Lahore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07745556
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 70173679@student.uol.edu.pk
- Acronym
- PNF-CORE-GBS
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Core Strengthening Exercise in Guillain Barre Syndrome Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07745556
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PNF-CORE-GBS / 70173679@student.uol.edu.pk
- Conditions
- Guillain Barré Syndrome
- Keywords
- Guillain-Barre syndrome, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, core strengthening, balance, muscle strength, activities of daily ;iving, neurorehabilitation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- RidaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exercises in Guillain barre syndrome patients on balance, strength and ADLS. A total of 32 participants will be recruited using purposive sampling and randomly assigned into two groups through the sealed envelope method. Balance will be assessed using berg balance scale, strength will be measured by MMT and ADLS will measure by berthal index at baseline and after completion of the intervention participants in the experimental group will receive PNF + core strengthening exercise four times in week for eight weeks, and conventional physical therapy will perform on control group .
Detailed description
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated inflammatory polyneuropathy characterized by rapidly progressive muscle weakness, diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes, sensory disturbances, impaired balance, and functional limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs). Although most patients recover gradually following the acute phase, many continue to experience persistent muscle weakness, impaired postural control, reduced trunk stability, and decreased functional independence during the subacute stage. Early rehabilitation plays a vital role in maximizing neurological recovery and improving functional outcomes.
Conventional physiotherapy is considered a standard rehabilitation approach for patients with subacute GBS and typically includes range of motion exercises, muscle strengthening, balance training, gait training, and functional mobility exercises. However, there is limited evidence regarding the additional benefits of combining Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) with core strengthening exercises in this population.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation is a therapeutic approach that facilitates neuromuscular control through diagonal movement patterns, proprioceptive input, and manual resistance to improve muscle activation, coordination, strength, and motor function. Core strengthening exercises target the muscles of the trunk and pelvis, enhancing postural stability, balance, and functional movement, which are essential for regaining independence after neurological impairment.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining PNF with core strengthening exercises in patients with subacute Guillain-Barré Syndrome. A total of 32 participants meeting the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated into two equal groups (16 participants per group). The experimental group will receive PNF techniques in combination with core strengthening exercises in addition to conventional physiotherapy, whereas the control group will receive conventional physiotherapy alone.
Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, after four weeks, and after eight weeks of intervention. Primary outcomes include balance, muscle strength, and activities of daily living, assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), and the Barthel Index (BI), respectively.
It is hypothesized that the addition of PNF and core strengthening exercises to conventional physiotherapy will result in greater improvements in balance, muscle strength, and functional independence compared with conventional physiotherapy alone. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence supporting more effective rehabilitation strategies for individuals with subacute Guillain-Barré Syndrome and contribute to evidence-based neurological physiotherapy practice.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| PNF + core strengthening exercise | Experimental | Behavioral: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exerciseParticipants in the experimental group will receive Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) combined with core strengthening exercises versus conventional physiotherapy. The intervention will be administered according to the study protocol over 4 times in week for 8-week period. |
| conventional physical therapy | Active comparator | Behavioral: conventional physiotherapyParticipants in the control group will receive conventional physiotherapy according to the standard rehabilitation protocol for patients with subacute Guillain-Barré Syndrome over 4 time per week for 8-week period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- participants diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) based on neurological criteria
- At the subacute or recovery stage of GBS, meaning within two to 12 weeks from disease onset
- Age ranges from 18 to 45 years
- Gender does not matter; both males and females can participate
- Medical stability of the patient and being medically cleared to engage in intensive rehabilitation by a physical Ability to give informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients with cognitive disabilities and those who cannot follow commands
- Patients with unstable heart and breathing rates and other systemic disease
- Patients refusing to give their informed consent
- Presence of musculoskeletal problems with balance problems (recent fractures, arthritis)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exerciseParticipants will receive Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) using the Contract-Relax (CR) and Contract-Relax Agonist-Contract (CRAC) techniques for both upper and lower extremities. Each repetition consists of a 10-20 second passive or active stretch, followed by a 3-6 second isometric contraction against therapist resistance, and then a further stretch to the newly gained range of motion. In addition, participants will perform progressive core strengthening exercises, including pelvic control exercises, curl-ups, bridging (including single-leg and crossed-leg variations), and side bridging. Participants will be instructed to activate the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles throughout the exercises to improve trunk stability, balance, muscle strength, and functional independence. | Behavioural | PNF + core strengthening exercise |
| conventional physiotherapyThe conventional therapy included stretching and strengthening of upper and lower extremities, techniques to normalize the muscle tone, weight bearing exercises, active functional training to enhance postural and functional control and conventional balance training. The program included four sessions per week for eight weeks with duration of each session of about 45 minutes which included warm up of 5 minutes, conventional therapy for 35 minutes and cool down of 5 minutes with 1-2 minute rest between the tasks. | Behavioural | conventional physical therapy |
Primary outcome
Balance
Time frame: Baseline, week 4 and week 8
Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) . The Berg Balance Scale is a 14-item clinical scale that measures static and dynamic balance. Scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance and functional performance.
muscle strength
Time frame: Baseline, week 4 and week 8
Muscle strength was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) Manual Muscle Testing scale. Muscle strength is graded from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates no muscle contraction and 5 indicates normal muscle strength. Higher scores indicate better muscle strength.
Activities of Daily living (ADL)
Time frame: Baseline , week 4 and week 8
Activities of daily living were assessed using the Barthel Index (BI). The Barthel Index measures independence in activities of daily living. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater functional independence.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Aug 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Rida Rao, MSPTN principal investigator
The University of Lahore , Lahore
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with core strengthening exercise and conventional physiotherapy in people with Guillain Barré Syndrome, run by Rida at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Balance (time frame: Baseline, week 4 and week 8). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Aug 2026.