The effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in Kartagener’s syndrome: a case report

Kartagener’s syndrome (KS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder primarily characterized by impaired ciliary function, leading to respiratory complications. Developing a specialized, tailored physiotherapy protocol for managing KS is urgently necessary. The primary aim of this study was to...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nidhi Yadav, Farah, Sahar Zaidi, Kajal Kumari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-01-01
Series:MGM Journal of Medical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_263_24
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849321358062780416
author Nidhi Yadav
Farah
Sahar Zaidi
Kajal Kumari
author_facet Nidhi Yadav
Farah
Sahar Zaidi
Kajal Kumari
author_sort Nidhi Yadav
collection DOAJ
description Kartagener’s syndrome (KS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder primarily characterized by impaired ciliary function, leading to respiratory complications. Developing a specialized, tailored physiotherapy protocol for managing KS is urgently necessary. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) along with conventional chest physiotherapy offers additional benefits for patients with KS. A 13-year-old male presented with chronic nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, fatigue, and a severe cough. Clinical and imaging assessments confirmed the presence of situs inversus, bronchiectasis, dextrocardia, ethmoid sinusitis, and digital clubbing. He was treated with oral antibiotics, mucolytics, and chest physiotherapy. Following this treatment, there was improvement in his symptoms, and he was prescribed a continuous low-dose prophylactic antibiotic regimen. After implementing physical therapy interventions, that is, chest PNF (perioral pressure, intercostal stretch, vertebral pressure, co-contraction of the abdomen, maintenance of manual pressure, and anterior stretch-lifting of the basal area) along with conventional chest physiotherapy (active cycle of breathing, forced expiratory techniques, postural drainage, and diaphragmatic scoop), significant improvements were observed in pulmonary function, including enhanced inspiratory capacity, chest expansion, and key spirometric parameters such as FEV₁, FEV₁/forced vital capacity (FVC), and FVC. This case study highlights the potential advantages of integrating chest PNF techniques into conventional chest physiotherapy for managing KS. The findings suggest incorporating PNF may enhance airway clearance, improve respiratory function, and optimize pulmonary mechanics. The observed improvements in the breathing patterns and secretion mobilization indicate that PNF could be a valuable adjunct to standard therapy, particularly for patients with chronic respiratory conditions such as KS.
format Article
id doaj-art-abb4d2caca4e4ec4a18addd25ac98774
institution Kabale University
issn 2347-7946
2347-7962
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series MGM Journal of Medical Sciences
spelling doaj-art-abb4d2caca4e4ec4a18addd25ac987742025-08-20T03:49:46ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsMGM Journal of Medical Sciences2347-79462347-79622025-01-0112118919410.4103/mgmj.mgmj_263_24The effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in Kartagener’s syndrome: a case reportNidhi YadavFarahSahar ZaidiKajal KumariKartagener’s syndrome (KS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder primarily characterized by impaired ciliary function, leading to respiratory complications. Developing a specialized, tailored physiotherapy protocol for managing KS is urgently necessary. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) along with conventional chest physiotherapy offers additional benefits for patients with KS. A 13-year-old male presented with chronic nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, fatigue, and a severe cough. Clinical and imaging assessments confirmed the presence of situs inversus, bronchiectasis, dextrocardia, ethmoid sinusitis, and digital clubbing. He was treated with oral antibiotics, mucolytics, and chest physiotherapy. Following this treatment, there was improvement in his symptoms, and he was prescribed a continuous low-dose prophylactic antibiotic regimen. After implementing physical therapy interventions, that is, chest PNF (perioral pressure, intercostal stretch, vertebral pressure, co-contraction of the abdomen, maintenance of manual pressure, and anterior stretch-lifting of the basal area) along with conventional chest physiotherapy (active cycle of breathing, forced expiratory techniques, postural drainage, and diaphragmatic scoop), significant improvements were observed in pulmonary function, including enhanced inspiratory capacity, chest expansion, and key spirometric parameters such as FEV₁, FEV₁/forced vital capacity (FVC), and FVC. This case study highlights the potential advantages of integrating chest PNF techniques into conventional chest physiotherapy for managing KS. The findings suggest incorporating PNF may enhance airway clearance, improve respiratory function, and optimize pulmonary mechanics. The observed improvements in the breathing patterns and secretion mobilization indicate that PNF could be a valuable adjunct to standard therapy, particularly for patients with chronic respiratory conditions such as KS.https://doi.org/10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_263_24chest pnfkartagener’s syndromemucus secretionprimary ciliary dyskinesia
spellingShingle Nidhi Yadav
Farah
Sahar Zaidi
Kajal Kumari
The effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in Kartagener’s syndrome: a case report
MGM Journal of Medical Sciences
chest pnf
kartagener’s syndrome
mucus secretion
primary ciliary dyskinesia
title The effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in Kartagener’s syndrome: a case report
title_full The effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in Kartagener’s syndrome: a case report
title_fullStr The effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in Kartagener’s syndrome: a case report
title_full_unstemmed The effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in Kartagener’s syndrome: a case report
title_short The effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in Kartagener’s syndrome: a case report
title_sort effectiveness of incorporating chest proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation with conventional chest physical therapy in kartagener s syndrome a case report
topic chest pnf
kartagener’s syndrome
mucus secretion
primary ciliary dyskinesia
url https://doi.org/10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_263_24
work_keys_str_mv AT nidhiyadav theeffectivenessofincorporatingchestproprioceptiveneuromuscularfacilitationwithconventionalchestphysicaltherapyinkartagenerssyndromeacasereport
AT farah theeffectivenessofincorporatingchestproprioceptiveneuromuscularfacilitationwithconventionalchestphysicaltherapyinkartagenerssyndromeacasereport
AT saharzaidi theeffectivenessofincorporatingchestproprioceptiveneuromuscularfacilitationwithconventionalchestphysicaltherapyinkartagenerssyndromeacasereport
AT kajalkumari theeffectivenessofincorporatingchestproprioceptiveneuromuscularfacilitationwithconventionalchestphysicaltherapyinkartagenerssyndromeacasereport
AT nidhiyadav effectivenessofincorporatingchestproprioceptiveneuromuscularfacilitationwithconventionalchestphysicaltherapyinkartagenerssyndromeacasereport
AT farah effectivenessofincorporatingchestproprioceptiveneuromuscularfacilitationwithconventionalchestphysicaltherapyinkartagenerssyndromeacasereport
AT saharzaidi effectivenessofincorporatingchestproprioceptiveneuromuscularfacilitationwithconventionalchestphysicaltherapyinkartagenerssyndromeacasereport
AT kajalkumari effectivenessofincorporatingchestproprioceptiveneuromuscularfacilitationwithconventionalchestphysicaltherapyinkartagenerssyndromeacasereport