ArticleFrontiers in physiology2026
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation improves tendon-bone healing in a rat model of rotator cuff tear: a comparative study with traditional electroacupuncture and infrared therapy.
Article in Frontiers in physiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: To compare the therapeutic effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) versus traditional rehabilitation (electroacupuncture combined with infrared irradiation) on tendon-bone healing in a rat model of rotator cuff tear. Methods: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8 each): sham operation (Sham), rotator cuff tear model without treatment (Model), traditional treatment (Traditional: electroacupuncture + infrared), and PNF treatment (PNF: daily passive stretching with resistance). The rotator cuff tear model was established by transverse incision of 1/2 of the supraspinatus tendon. After 4 weeks of intervention, tendon-bone healing was evaluated by biomechanical testing (maximum failure load), ELISA (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), qPCR (inflammatory gene expression), histology (H&E, Safranin O, Sirius Red, Masson's trichrome), immunohistochemistry (collagen type I), and Western blot (VEGF, TGF-β). Results: PNF treatment significantly increased the maximum failure load of the tendon-bone interface compared to the Model and Traditional groups (p < 0.05). Both PNF and Traditional treatments reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) at both protein and mRNA levels, with PNF showing a more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Histologically, PNF group exhibited better-organized collagen fibers (Masson's trichrome), increased fibrocartilage regeneration (Safranin O), and a higher ratio of mature type I to type III collagen (Sirius Red under polarized light) compared to the Traditional group. Immunohistochemistry revealed stronger type I collagen deposition in the PNF group. Western blot demonstrated that PNF upregulated VEGF and TGF-β expression more effectively than Traditional treatment. Conclusion: PNF therapy outperforms traditional electroacupuncture combined with infrared therapy in promoting tendon-bone healing after rotator cuff tear in rats, as evidenced by superior biomechanical strength, enhanced collagen maturation, and better modulation of inflammation and growth factors. PNF is a promising non-invasive rehabilitation approach that warrants further clinical investigation in patients with chronic rotator cuff injury.
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