Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidence.

Objectives: To compare thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) shear strain between individuals with and without nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), investigate its correlation with symptoms, and assess a standardized massage technique's impact on TLF shear strain.

Methods: Participants were prospectively enrolled between February 2021 and June 2022. Pre- and post-intervention TLF ultrasound and pain/disability questionnaires were conducted.

Understanding musculoskeletal disorders in dancers: The role of lumbopelvic muscles and movement competency.

Objective: To investigate whether transversus abdominis activation (TrA), hip strength, and movement competency are associated with the incidence of musculoskeletal disorder episodes (MDEs) in dancers when controlling for confounding variables. The secondary objectives were to determine if there were differences between professional and preprofessional dancers for the aforementioned factors, as well as to determine if there were differences in TrA activation and hip strength between the dominant and non-dominant sides.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Passion and performance anxiety: How it affects the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in dancers.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between the incidence of musculoskeletal disorder episodes (MDEs) and obsessive and harmonious passion as well as performance anxiety throughout a dance season, which lasted 38 weeks.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: A total of 118 professional and preprofessional dancers were recruited and assessed at baseline, while 88 completed the follow-up.

Effectiveness of visceral fascial therapy targeting visceral dysfunctions outcome: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Fascial Therapy is an ancient and widespread practice throughout the world. These approaches are very common in osteopathic practice and taught in workshops for professionals from different areas of health care, including Physiotherapy. This type of treatment is quite specialized and centered on the therapist.

Immediate Effect of Dry Needling on the Viscoelastic Properties of a Trigger Point on the Infraspinatus Muscle Measured with MyotonPRO.

This article investigates the immediate effects of a dry needling (DN) puncture on the viscoelastic properties (tone, stiffness, elasticity) of a trigger point (TP) in the infraspinatus muscle in non-traumatic chronic shoulder pain. Forty-eight individuals with non-traumatic chronic shoulder pain were recruited. The presence of a TP in the infraspinatus muscle was confirmed by a standardized palpatory exam.

Effect of Conservative Interventions for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Preprofessional and Professional Dancers: A Systematic Review.

Background: Preprofessional and professional dancers are among the athletes who sustain the most musculoskeletal disorders. In recent years, conservative treatment and preventive measures have been investigated in this population. However, no systematic review regarding their effectiveness has been conducted.

Effects of a Myofascial Technique on the Stiffness and Thickness of the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Lumbar Erector Spinae Muscles in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized before-and-after Experimental Study.

The thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) may be a pain generator, given its rich innervation. Structural and biomechanical changes have also been documented in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). Myofascial techniques (MFTs) are commonly used in manual therapy and are hypothesized to reduce tissue stiffness and pain.

Biopsychosocial factors associated with pain severity and hand disability in trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis and non-surgical management.

Background: Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMO) is one of the most prevalent and painful forms of hand osteoarthritis.

Purpose: This study aimed at (1) describing the TMO pain experience, (2) identifying biopsychosocial factors associated with pain intensity and disability, and 3) documenting the use of non-surgical management modalities.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Comparison of Three Motion Capture-Based Algorithms for Spatiotemporal Gait Characteristics: How Do Algorithms Affect Accuracy and Precision of Clinical Outcomes?

Gait assessment is of interest to clinicians and researchers because it provides information about patients' functional mobility. Optoelectronic camera-based systems with gait event detection algorithms are considered the gold standard for gait assessment. Yet, the choice of the algorithm used to process data and extract the desired parameters from those detected gait events has an impact on the validity and reliability of the gait parameters computed.

Self-management programs to ensure sustainable return to work following long-term sick leave due to low back pain: A sequential qualitative study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition frequently leading to disability. Research suggests that self-management (SM) programs for chronic LBP should include strategies to promote sustainable return to work.

Objectives: This study aimed to 1) validate and prioritize the essential content elements of a SM program in light of the needs of workplace representatives, and 2) identify the main facilitators and barriers to be considered when developing and implementing a SM program delivered via information and communication technologies (ICT).

Movement Competency Screen: Rethinking the Rating.

Background: Dancers are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. There has been a growing interest in the last few years in pre-season screening using tools to evaluate movement competency, among which is the Movement Competency Screen (MCS). It is currently scored using a categorical 3-level rating system, but this method does not seem to take into account the load level of movements.

Targeted exercises can improve biomechanical markers in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A secondary analysis from a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: It is not clear whether exercise therapy significantly improves knee biomechanics during gait in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. This study aimed to determine whether targeted exercises based on a knee kinesiography exam improve biomechanical markers (BMs) compared with conventional primary care (CPC) management.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial in which patients were assigned to one of three groups: (1) Control (CPC), (2) Exercise, and (3) Exercise&Education.

The effects of custom-made foot orthoses on foot pain, foot function, gait function, and free-living walking activities in people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA): a pre-experimental trial.

Introduction: Foot involvement is a significant concern in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) as it can lead to severe levels of foot pain and disability and reduced mobility and quality of life. Previous studies have shown moderate efficacy for custom-made foot orthoses (CFO) in reducing foot pain and disability in people with rheumatoid arthritis. However, evidence on the efficacy of CFO in people with PsA is lacking.

Exploring the Effects of Standardized Soft Tissue Mobilization on the Viscoelastic Properties, Pressure Pain Thresholds, and Tactile Pressure Thresholds of the Cesarean Section Scar.

Objectives of soft tissue mobilization applied to cesarean section (C-section) scars are to decrease stiffness and to reduce pain. Research investigating these effects is lacking. The authors conducted a descriptive, exploratory, proof-of-concept clinical study.

The deep fascia and its role in chronic pain and pathological conditions: A review.

The deep fascia is a three-dimensional continuum of connective tissue surrounding the bones, muscles, nerves and blood vessels throughout our body. Its importance in chronically debilitating conditions has recently been brought to light. This work investigates changes in these tissues in pathological settings.

Efficacy of Surgical Interventions for Trapeziometacarpal (Thumb Base) Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: This systematic review (SR) aimed to identify the surgical interventions available for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis and document their efficacy on pain, physical function, psychological well-being, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and/or adverse events.

Methods: This PROSPERO-registered SR's protocol was developed based on the Cochrane intervention review methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Results: Among 9049 potential studies identified, 1 SR, 18 randomized controlled trials, and 40 nonrandomized controlled trials were included.

Spatiotemporal parameters and gait variability in people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA): a cross-sectional study.

Background: Foot involvement is a major manifestation of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and can lead to severe levels of foot pain and disability and impaired functional mobility and quality of life. Gait spatiotemporal parameters (STPs) and gait variability, used as a clinical index of gait stability, have been associated with several adverse health outcomes, including risk of falling, functional decline, and mortality in a wide range of populations. Previous studies showed some alterations in STPs in people with PsA.

Neurophysiological and psychophysical effects of dry versus sham needling of the infraspinatus muscle in patients with chronic shoulder pain: a randomized feasibility study.

Background: Dry needling (DN) is increasingly used for treating myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and has shown significant effects on pain and function. This study aimed to assess feasibility of conducting a randomized sham-controlled trial and to collect preliminary data on the effects of infraspinatus DN on corticospinal excitability and mechanical pain sensitivity.

Method: This randomized feasibility study included adults with chronic non-traumatic shoulder pain and a infraspinatus MTrP.

The Accuracy and Precision of Gait Spatio-Temporal Parameters Extracted from an Instrumented Sock during Treadmill and Overground Walking in Healthy Subjects and Patients with a Foot Impairment Secondary to Psoriatic Arthritis.

The objectives of this study were to assess the accuracy and precision of a system combining an IMU-instrumented sock and a validated algorithm for the estimation of the spatio-temporal parameters of gait. A total of 25 healthy participants (HP) and 21 patients with foot impairments secondary to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) performed treadmill walking at three different speeds and overground walking at a comfortable speed. HP performed the assessment over two sessions.

The Female Pelvic Floor Fascia Anatomy: A Systematic Search and Review.

Unlabelled: The female pelvis is a complex anatomical region comprising the pelvic organs, muscles, neurovascular supplies, and fasciae. The anatomy of the pelvic floor and its fascial components are currently poorly described and misunderstood. This systematic search and review aimed to explore and summarize the current state of knowledge on the fascial anatomy of the pelvic floor in women.

Using ultrasound imaging to assess novice physiotherapy students' ability to locate musculoskeletal structures with palpation.

Objective: Use ultrasound imaging to assess success rates of novice physiotherapy students attempting to locate two tendons and two joint spaces using palpation.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Master of physiotherapy program at an academic institution.

An Investigation of the Association between Transversus Abdominis Myofascial Structure and Activation with Age in Healthy Adults using Ultrasound Imaging.

Background: Because of their importance in core stability, training the deep abdominal muscles, fascial structures and particularly the transversus abdominis, is a key component of many sport and physical therapy programs. However, there are gaps in knowledge about age-related changes in the structure and activation capacity of these muscles.

Hypothesis/purpose: This study investigated the association between deep abdominal muscles and fascial structures and transversus abdominis activation with age in healthy adults.

Does the Movement Competency Screen Correlate with Deep Abdominals Activation and Hip Strength for Professional and Pre-professional Dancers?

Background: Dancers are a unique category of athletes who are frequently injured and experience pain. The primary cause of dance injuries is overuse, which could potentially be prevented. However, literature is scarce regarding validated methods of evaluating the risk of injury in dancers.