Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy combined with respiratory training on upper limb function recovery in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain after stroke.

Methods A total of 72 patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain after stroke who were treated in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Yangzhong People's Hospital from May 2023 to December 2024 were selected. They were randomly divided into PNF group (24 cases), respiratory training group (24 cases), and combined group (24 cases) according to the random number table method. All three groups received routine rehabilitation treatment. On the basis of routine rehabilitation treatment, the PNF group was supplemented with upper limb PNF training, the respiratory training group was supplemented with respiratory training, and the combined group adopted PNF combined with respiratory training. All three groups were treated continuously for 6 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Assessmentof Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) was used to evaluate upper limb function before treatment and at 6 weeks of treatment. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was used to assess the degree of pain. Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak inspiratory flow (PIF), and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) were used to evaluate patients' pulmonary function and inspiratory muscle function.

Results Before treatment, there were no significant differences in FMA-UE and VAS scores among the three groups (P>0.05). Compared with before treatment, the FMA-UE scores of all three groups increased after treatment, and the VAS scores decreased, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). At 6 weeks of treatment, the FMA-UE score of the combined group was higher than that of the PNF group and the respiratory training group, and the PNF group was higher than the respiratory training group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). At 6 weeks of treatment, the VAS score of the combined group was lower than that of the PNF group and the respiratory training group, and the respiratory training group was lower than the PNF group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, the pulmonary function indicators of all three groups improved after treatment, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). At 6 weeks of treatment, the pulmonary function indicators of the combined group were higher than those of the PNF group and the respiratory training group, and the respiratory training group was higher than the PNF group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).

Conclusion On the basis of routine rehabilitation treatment, PNF combined with respiratory training can effectively improve upper limb motor function and relieve hemiplegic shoulder pain in patients with stroke, thereby improving their quality of life.