The effectiveness of aerobic exercise on pain and disability in individuals with neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present review aimed to investigate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise (AE) compared to other interventions in decreasing pain intensity and reducing disability in individuals with neck pain. A systematic review (SR) of randomized controlled trials was conducted. This SR was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021231231).

Evaluation of somatosensory bedside testing and neurodynamics of the trigeminal nerve in craniofacial pain: A matched case-control study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether trigeminal somatosensory function and mechanosensitivity differ between groups with craniofacial neuropathic pain (CNP), non-neuropathic craniofacial pain (NNP), and healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Thirty-three participants were categorized into these groups, matched for age and sex. The study evaluated pain intensity, the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS), and various trigeminal somatosensory tests, including vibration, pressure pain, thermal detection, cold pain, and neurodynamic tests of the trigeminal nerve.

The effectiveness of aerobic exercise compared to other types of treatment on pain and disability in patients with orofacial pain: A systematic review.

Purpose: To compile and synthesise the evidence regarding the effectiveness of aerobic exercise (AE) compared with other treatments to reduce pain and disability of individuals with orofacial pain (OFP).

Methods: Electronic searches were conducted on five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Scopus). Randomised controlled trials (RCT) or controlled trials including adults of both sexes with painful OFP diagnoses were targeted.

Does combining oro-facial manual therapy with bruxism neuroscience education affect pain and function in cases of awake bruxism? A pilot study.

Background: Although awake bruxism is associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) as well as head and neck pain, the effects of physical therapy and bruxism education to address these factors have not been investigated.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oro-facial manual therapy and bruxism neuroscience education (BNE) on awake bruxism over a 3-week period with an open-ended follow-up questionnaire after 3 months.

Methods: Subjects (n = 28) were randomly allocated to one of two groups, an intervention group and a control group.

Facial recognition, laterality judgement, alexithymia and resulting central nervous system adaptations in chronic primary headache and facial pain-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Patients with chronic headaches and chronic oro-facial pain commonly present psychosocial issues that can affect social interactions. A possible reason could be that patients with these disorders might present impairments in facial recognition, laterality judgement and also alexithymia. However, a systematic review summarizing the effects of facial emotion recognition, laterality judgement and alexithymia in individuals with headaches and oro-facial pain is still not available.

Craniofacial disorders and headaches. A narrative review.

Objectives: Craniofacial- and headache disorders are common co-morbid disorders. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the research discussing craniofacial pain, especially temporomandibular disorders, and its relationship and impact on headaches, as well as suggestions for diagnostic assessment tools and physical therapeutic management strategies.

Method: A narrative structured review was performed.

Effectiveness of Manual Trigger Point Therapy in Patients with Myofascial Trigger Points in the Orofacial Region-A Systematic Review.

The objective was to compile, synthetize, and evaluate the quality of the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effectiveness of manual trigger point therapy in the orofacial area in patients with or without orofacial pain. This project was registered in PROSPERO and follows the PRISMA guidelines. Searches (20 April 2021) were conducted in six databases for RCTs involving adults with active or latent myofascial trigger points (mTrPs) in the orofacial area.

Is There a Difference in Facial Emotion Recognition after Stroke with vs. without Central Facial Paresis?

The Facial Feedback Hypothesis (FFH) states that facial emotion recognition is based on the imitation of facial emotional expressions and the processing of physiological feedback. In the light of limited and contradictory evidence, this hypothesis is still being debated. Therefore, in the present study, emotion recognition was tested in patients with central facial paresis after stroke.

Facial Emotion Recognition in Patients with Post-Paralytic Facial Synkinesis-A Present Competence.

Facial palsy is a movement disorder with impacts on verbal and nonverbal communication. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of post-paralytic facial synkinesis on facial emotion recognition. In a prospective cross-sectional study, we compared facial emotion recognition between = 30 patients with post-paralytic facial synkinesis (mean disease time: 1581 ± 1237 days) and = 30 healthy controls matched in sex, age, and education level.

Pre-manipulative cervical spine testing and sustained rotation do not influence intracranial hemodynamics: an observational study with transcranial Doppler ultrasound.

Introduction: Manual joint mobilization and manipulation are recommended therapeutic interventions for people with neck pain. High-velocity thrust and sustained techniques have an uncertain association with serious arterial trauma. The validity of pre-manipulative tests of the cervical spine is often questioned, and the understanding of the effect of head/neck position on blood flow is still incomplete.

Does combined individualized orofacial manual therapy, pain neuroscience education, and brain training change orofacial pain, chronic face dysfunction, (facial) body perception and pain? An observational mixed methods case series study.

Background: Orofacial pain is a complex disabling condition. Multimodal physical therapy intervention may be helpful, yet studies of such approaches are not available and are the basis of this study.

Objective: To identify whether combined orofacial manual therapy, pain neuroscience education, graded motor imagery, and face emotional expression training has an impact on orofacial pain and associated features.

[Effects of preoperative neurobiological education on postoperative outcome : A systematic review].

Background: Pain may have a crucial impact on human quality of life. An increase in knowledge about neurobiological and neuroscientific processes alone can positively influence the subjective perception of pain as well as psychometric variables. There are different forms of preoperative patient education with the aim to explain postoperative pain.

Cross-Cultural Adaption and Psychometric Evaluation of the German Craniofacial Pain and Disability Inventory (CF-PDI).

Background: The Craniofacial Pain and Disability Inventory (CF-PDI) is a cross-culturally adapted instrument designed from a biopsychosocial perspective to measure pain, disability, and function in orofacial head and neck pain with shown psychometric properties; however, the German cross-cultural adaption is lacking.

Objectives: To carry out a transcultural translation of CF-PDI into German and assess its psychometric properties in patients with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with respect to construct and clinical validity, internal consistency and reproducibility.

Study Design: Multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional design.

Are There Differences in Abdominal Muscle Function in Female Singers With and Without Voice Disorders? - An Observational Study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the motor function of the abdominal muscles in singers with and without functional voice disorders and to examine them for possible differences. Additionally, the breathing behaviour and posture control was investigated.

Study Design: Observational study.

Efficacy of foam rolling with additional vibration stimulation on the mobility of the thoracolumbar fascia. An observational study.

Introduction: Observations show that foam rolling improves joint movements. Likewise, it can be stated that a vibration stimulation of the tissue leads to improved joint mobility.

Method: This study investigates whether the combination of foam rolling and vibrations (31 Hz) can influence the sliding of the thoracolumbar fascia more effectively than normal foam rolling.

Clinical Reasoning for the Examination and Physical Therapy Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD): A Narrative Literature Review.

The current narrative literature review aims to discuss clinical reasoning based on nociceptive pain mechanisms for determining the most appropriate assessment and therapeutic strategy and to identify/map the most updated scientific evidence in relation to physical therapy interventions for patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). We will also propose an algorithm for clinical examination and treatment decisions and a pain model integrating current knowledge of pain neuroscience. The clinical examination of patients with TMDs should be based on nociceptive mechanisms and include the potential identification of the dominant, central, or peripheral sensitization driver.

International consensus on the most useful assessments used by physical therapists to evaluate patients with temporomandibular disorders: A Delphi study.

Objective: To identify assessment tools used to evaluate patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) considered to be clinically most useful by a panel of international experts in TMD physical therapy (PT).

Methods: A Delphi survey method administered to a panel of international experts in TMD PT was conducted over three rounds from October 2017 to June 2018. The initial contact was made by email.

Outcome measures for assessing the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in frequent episodic or chronic migraine: a Delphi study.

Objectives: The aim of this Delphi survey was to establish an international consensus on the most useful outcome measures for research on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for migraine. This is important, since guidelines for pharmacological trials recommend measuring the frequency of headaches with 50% reduction considered a clinically meaningful effect. It is unclear whether the same recommendations apply to complementary (or adjunct) non-pharmacological approaches, whether the same cut-off levels need to be considered for effectiveness when used as an adjunct or stand-alone intervention, and what is meaningful to patients.

Validity of increasing the number of motor control tests within a test battery for discrimination of low back pain conditions in people attending a physiotherapy clinic: a case-control study.

Objectives: To develop a time-efficient motor control (MC) test battery while maximising diagnostic accuracy of both a two-level and three-level classification system for patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP).

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Four private physiotherapy practices in northern Germany.

Evidence and recommendations for the use of segmental motion testing for patients with LBP - A systematic review.

Background: Assessment of low back pain (LBP) includes segmental motion tests. Although often used in clinical practice, the validity, inter- and intra-rater reliability of such tests in individuals with LBP are not universally accepted, making it difficult to interpret findings in clinical practice.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to determine the validity and reliability of segmental motion tests for patients with LBP and to give reasoned recommendations for their use in practice.

Bruxism, temporomandibular dysfunction and cervical impairments in females - Results from an observational study.

Purpose: Bruxism is highly prevalent and defined as abnormal habitual mouth activity including clenching of the teeth and increased jaw muscle activity. The association between bruxism and temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is debated, in particular the association between cervical spine impairments, bruxism, and TMD. Hence the purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between bruxism, TMD, and cervical spine impairments.

Is there a difference in response to manual cranial bone tissue assessment techniques between participants with cervical and/or temporomandibular complaints versus a control group?

Aim: Manual cranial bone tissue techniques (CBTT) are used by physiotherapists as a tool for assessment and treatment of complaints in the craniocervical, face, and head regions. The goal of this study was to determine whether CBTT were able to discriminate between subjects with cervical and/or temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and a healthy group. In addition, the inter-rater reliability when applying CBTT was also investigated.

Diagnostic accuracy and validity of three manual examination tests to identify alar ligament lesions: results of a blinded case-control study.

Introduction: Tests to evaluate the integrity of the alar ligaments are important clinical tools for manual therapists, but there is limited research regarding their validity.

Method: A single blinded examiner assessed alar ligament integrity using the lateral shear test (LST), rotation stress test (RST) and side-bending stress test (SBST) on a sample of convenience comprising 7 subjects with MRI confirmed alar ligament lesions and 11 healthy people. Alar ligament lesions were identified using both supine and high-field strength upright MRI.

[Do Changes in Dental Occlusion Influence the Rehabilitation of a Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD) in Professional Female Volleyball Players? A Pilot Study].

Introduction:  There have been controversial discussions in research regarding the mutual relationship between changes in dental occlusion and postural reorganisation. Particularly in professional sports, the application of dental splints has been studied increasingly. However, there is a lack of data regarding the effects of a dental splint on the motor function of the shoulder joint, although overhead athletes often have to deal with long-lasting shoulder problems and their consequences.

Integration of a neurodynamic approach into the treatment of dysarthria for patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease: A pilot study.

Purpose: Differences between standard dysarthria treatment and the same treatment with the integration of neurodynamic techniques tailored to the severity of dysarthria in patients with Parkinson's disease were examined.

Method: In total, 10 subjects with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and rigid-hypokinetic dysarthria were enrolled in this quasi-randomized, controlled, single-blind, pre-post study. In each of 12 therapy sessions the control group (n = 5) received standard dysarthria treatment (usual care), while the intervention group (n = 5) received the same treatment with the addition of integrated neurodynamic treatment (special care).