[Validity of the PEDOMETER® mobile application for evaluating cardiorespiratory fitness and fatigue resistance in cardiac rehabilitation. A pilot study].

Background: A mobile application (app) may facilitate the administration of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), a commonly used tool in cardiac rehabilitation. This pilot study, conducted with cardiac rehabilitation patients, aimed to evaluate: 1) the criterion validity of the PEDOMETER® app compared to the 6MWT in assessing cardiorespiratory fitness and fatigue resistance, and 2) the construct validity of the PEDOMETER ® app in relation to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Health Index of the EuroQol-5D 3L questionnaire (EQ-5D).

Methods: Twenty patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation at HM Puerta del Sur Hospital (Mostoles, Spain) performed the 6MWT while using the PEDOMETER ® app on a smartphone worn on their arm.

[Occupational balance, disability and functionality in people with rheumatic disease].

Background: We aimed to assess the occupational balance of people with rheumatic disease, analyze its relationship with participation, performance, and satisfaction with daily life activities, and evaluate whether age or receiving non-pharmacological treatment affects the outcome.

Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out between March and November 2021; patients with non-advanced stage of rheumatic disease from the ConArtritis Association - selected through simple random sampling -, were included. Sociodemographic data and scores from the OBQ, IMPACT-S, COPM questionnaires, and a questionnaire created ad hoc for daily life activities were collected online and/or by telephone.

Conditioned Pain Modulation and Temporal Summation of Pain in Patients With Traumatic and Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In patients with neck pain, it is unclear whether pain inhibition and facilitation endogenous pain mechanisms are altered. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to improve their understanding by assessing conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and temporal summation of pain (TSP) in patients with neck pain associated with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) or of a nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) nature compared to pain-free controls. Very low certainty evidence suggests: impaired CPM when assessed remotely in chronic WAD patients (n = 7, 230 patients and 204 controls, standardized mean differences (SMD) = -.

A Novel Active Device for Shoulder Rotation Based on Force Control.

This article describes a one-degree-of-freedom haptic device that can be applied to perform three different exercises for shoulder rehabilitation. The device is based on a force control architecture and an adaptive speed PI controller. It is a portable equipment that is easy to use for any patient, and was optimized for rehabilitating external rotation movements of the shoulder in patients in whom this was limited by muscle-skeletal injuries.

Manual Therapy Effects on Nonspecific Neck Pain Are Not Mediated by Mechanisms Related to Conditioned Pain Modulation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Manual therapy (MT) is a treatment recommended by clinical practice guidelines in the management of patients with neck pain. However, the mechanisms through which MT works remain unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate if MT is mediated by mechanisms related to conditioned pain modulation (CPM), comparing the effects of painful with a pain-free MT treatment.

Locomotor adaptation on a split-belt treadmill in adults with stroke: a systematic review.

This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy of motor adaptation during walking on a split-belt treadmill (SBT) under different learning conditions in adults with stroke. We searched randomized clinical trials and case studies that used SBT under different learning conditions published between January 2011 and April 2022 in four databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Brain-URJC. The following data were extracted: objectives, interventions, population, number of sessions, outcome measures, and results.

Kinesiology tape versus non-standardized tape in the treatment of balance in non-operated anterior cruciate ligament rupture patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose/aim: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are the most common traumatic ligament injuries of the knee, which course with impaired balance. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of kinesiology tape on balance in subjects with non-operated anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

Materials And Methods: 36 subjects were randomly assigned to the kinesiology tape group (KT = 20) and the non-standardized tape group (NST = 16).

Feasibility and Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Game-Based Upper Extremity Motor Function Rehabilitation Therapy in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Study.

The objective of the present study was to develop a virtual reality protocol based on activities of daily living and conventional rehabilitation, using Leap Motion Controller to improve motor function in upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients. At the same time, the purpose was to explore its efficacy in the recovery of upper extremity motor function in chronic stroke survivors, and to determine feasibility, satisfaction and attendance rate; Methods: A prospective pilot experimental clinical trial was conducted. The outcome measures used were the grip strength, the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), the Block and Box Test (BBT), the Short Form Health Survey-36 Questionnaire, a satisfaction questionnaire and attendance rate; Results: Our results showed statistically significant changes in the variables grip strength, BBT and ARAT as well as high levels of satisfaction and attendance; Conclusions: This virtual reality platform represents an effective tool in aspects of upper extremity functionality rehabilitation in patients with chronic stroke, demonstrating feasibility and high levels of attendance and satisfaction.

Use of the Leap Motion Controller® System in the Rehabilitation of the Upper Limb in Stroke. A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Upper limb impairment is the most common motor impairment in stroke survivors. The use of new technologies in the field of rehabilitation aims to reduce the impact of functional problems. Our objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of using the Leap Motion Controller® virtual reality system in the treatment of upper limb functionality in people with stroke.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Physiotherapy on Gait Pattern, Balance, and Functionality in Stroke Patients. A Systematic Review.

Background: The effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) together with conventional physiotherapy in motor rehabilitation after stroke has been widely studied. Despite this, few studies have focused on its application in gait and balance rehabilitation. This review aimed to determine the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with conventional physiotherapy on gait, balance, and the functionality of the lower limb after stroke.

Effects of neuro-adaptive electrostimulation therapy on pain and disability in fibromyalgia: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of non-invasive neuro-adaptive electrostimulation (NAE) therapy for treating chronic pain and disability in patients with fibromyalgia.

Method/design: A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled study was conducted in 37 women with fibromyalgia. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either active NAE (n = 20) or stimulation with a sham device (n = 17).

Ankle muscle activation during the limits of stability test in subjects with chronic ankle instability.

Objective: To study postural control and muscle activity during the limit of stability test (LOS) in subjects with chronic ankle instability.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: University laboratory.

Effects of contemporary dance and physiotherapy intervention on balance and postural control in Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: To describe the effects of a contemporary dance program, combined with conventional physiotherapy, on postural control, satisfaction and adherence in mild-moderate Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.

Methods: A withdrawal/reversion test with three intervention periods. Each period lasts for two months: physiotherapy, physiotherapy + dance and withdrawing dance and continuing with the physiotherapy sessions.

Comparing the experience of individuals with primary and secondary lymphoedema: A qualitative study.

Background: Lymphoedema is a chronic condition that has significant detrimental impact on patients' quality of life. Secondary lymphoedema often results from anti-tumour treatment, in contrast to primary lymphoedema which is the result of genetic abnormalities that leads to an abnormal development of the lymphatic system.

Objective: To describe and compare the experience of individuals with primary and secondary lymphoedema.

Living with lymphoedema-the perspective of cancer patients: a qualitative study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the lived experience of lymphoedema and the barriers faced by cancer sufferers receiving physiotherapy outpatient treatment.

Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological study was performed. Purposeful sampling method was used.

Examination of the reliability of Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool in patients with a stroke.

The Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool (GAIT) has been recently developed for gait assessment in patients with stroke, and it is considered as a tool that may identify clinically relevant deviations from normal gait and quantifies relevant changes in gait because of an intervention. The objective was to analyze the GAIT psychometric properties in participants with stroke. A convenience sample of 15 adults with stroke was selected (58.

Combining muscle synergies and biomechanical analysis to assess gait in stroke patients.

The understanding of biomechanical deficits and impaired neural control of gait after stroke is crucial to prescribe effective customized treatments aimed at improving walking function. Instrumented gait analysis has been increasingly integrated into the clinical practice to enhance precision and inter-rater reliability for the assessment of pathological gait. On the other hand, the analysis of muscle synergies has gained relevance as a novel tool to describe the neural control of walking.

Limits of stability in patients with vascular (due to diabetes) and nonvascular unilateral transtibial amputation: a cross-sectional study.

The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in the stability limits between patients with vascular and nonvascular unilateral transtibial amputation (UTA) and patients without amputation. Eighteen patients with UTA who used a prosthesis were divided into two groups: vascular (n=9) and nonvascular (n=9). Twenty-four patients without amputation served as the control group.

Effect of elastic bandage on postural control in subjects with chronic ankle instability: a randomised clinical trial.

Purpose: To report the immediate and prolonged (one week) effects of elastic bandage (EB) on balance control in subjects with chronic ankle instability.

Material And Methods: Twenty-eight individuals successfully completed the study protocol, of whom 14 were randomly assigned to the EB group (7 men, 7 women) and 14 were assigned to the non-standardised tape (NST) group (9 men, 5 women). To objectively measure postural sway we used computerised dynamic posturography (CDP) with sensory organisation test (SOT) and unilateral stance (US) test.

The Role of Psychological Factors in the Perception of Postneedling Soreness and the Influence of Postneedling Intervention.

Background: Myofascial trigger point dry needling is frequently associated with postneedling soreness, which can generate patient dissatisfaction and reduced treatment adherence. Psychological factors may influence the perception of postneedling soreness and the effectiveness of postneedling soreness treatments.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to determine whether catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, pain anxiety, and fear of pain are significant predictors of postneedling soreness over time; and to analyze whether the relationships between psychological variables and postneedling soreness vary as a function of the postneedling soreness intervention, which included ischemic compression, placebo or control (without treatment).