MyofAPPcial: Construct validity of a novel technological aid for improving clinical reasoning in the management of myofascial pain syndrome.

Background: Physiotherapists encounter challenges in diagnosing myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), which are crucial for managing myofascial pain but difficult due to their complex referred pain patterns. We aimed to assess if an interactive software (MyofAPPcial) can enhance the ability of physical therapists specialized in musculoskeletal disorders (as clinicians and as researchers and educators) to identify referred pain patterns associated with specific MTrPs and to explore their opinion about incorporating this technology regularly into their professional setting.

Methods: After developing the app, a descriptive cross-sectional survey study was conducted.

Educational, Exercise, and Occupational Therapy-Based Telerehabilitation Program Versus "Wait-and-See" for Improving Self-perceived Exertion in Patients With Post-COVID Fatigue and Dyspnea: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of a telerehabilitation exercise program versus "wait-and-see" on physical exertion, quality of life, dyspnea severity, heart rate, and oxygen saturation in patients with post-COVID fatigue and dyspnea.

Design: Sixty-four patients were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. A telerehabilitation program based on patient education, physical activity, airway clearing, and breathing exercise interventions was conducted.

The Added Value of Face-to-Face Supervision to a Therapeutic Exercise-Based App in the Management of Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Low back pain (LBP) is a significant global health challenge due to its high prevalence, and chronicity and recurrence rates, with projections suggesting an increase in the next years due to population growth and aging. The chronic and recurrent nature of LBP, responsible for a significant percentage of years lived with disability, underscores the need for effective management strategies, including self-management strategies advocated by current guidelines, to empower patients and potentially improve healthcare efficiency and clinical outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the added value of face-to-face visits in patients with chronic LBP undergoing a self-management program based on therapeutic exercises on pain intensity, disability, quality of life and treatment adherence and satisfaction.

Reliability of Panoramic Ultrasound in Assessing Rectus Femoris Size, Shape, and Brightness: An Inter-Examiner Study.

Extended field-of-view ultrasound (US) imaging, also known as panoramic US, represents a technical advance that allows for complete visualization of large musculoskeletal structures, which are often limited in conventional 2D US images. Currently, there is no evidence examining whether the experience of examiners influences muscle shape deformations that may arise during the glide of the transducer in panoramic US acquisition. As no studies using panoramic US have analyzed whether two examiners with differing levels of experience might obtain varying scores in size, shape, or brightness during the US assessment of the rectus femoris muscle, our aim was to analyze the inter-examiner reliability of panoramic US imaging acquisition in determining muscle size, shape, and brightness between two examiners.

Immediate effects of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with lateral elbow pain.

Introduction: Ultrasound guided-percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation appears to be effective in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of one session of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the radial nerve in patients with lateral elbow pain.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted.

Aerobic Exercise and Neuropathic Pain: Insights from Animal Models and Implications for Human Therapy.

This narrative review explores the complex relationship between aerobic exercise (AE) and neuropathic pain (NP), particularly focusing on peripheral neuropathies of mechanical origin. Pain, a multifaceted phenomenon, significantly impacts functionality and distress. The International Association for the Study of Pain's definition highlights pain's biopsychosocial nature, emphasizing the importance of patient articulation.

Psychometric Properties and Clinical Usefulness of the Spanish Version of the Toe Walking Tool.

Background: The Toe Walking Tool (TWT) was developed in Australia as a valid and reliable screening tool for children who toe-walk. However, psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the TWT have not been studied. The aim of this study was to assess psychometric properties and clinical usefulness of the Spanish version of the TWT.

Electromyographic Activity of the Pelvic Floor Muscles and Internal Oblique Muscles in Women during Running with Traditional and Minimalist Shoes: A Cross-Over Clinical Trial.

The study aimed to investigate the effects of footwear on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) and internal oblique (IO) muscles during running at different speeds. The study also aimed to explore the correlation between EMG activity of PFMs and IO muscles and participants' morphological characteristics. Ten nulliparous female runners were included in the study.

Convergent Validity between Electromyographic Muscle Activity, Ultrasound Muscle Thickness and Dynamometric Force Measurement for Assessing Muscle.

Muscle fatigue is defined as a reversible decline in performance after intensive use, which largely recovers after a resting period. Surface electromyography (EMG), ultrasound imaging (US) and dynamometry are used to assess muscle activity, muscle morphology and isometric force capacity. This study aimed to assess the convergent validity between these three methods for assessing muscle fatigue during a manual prehension maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC).

Effects of minimalist shoes on pelvic floor activity in nulliparous women during running at different velocities: a randomized cross-over clinical trial.

In the last decade, minimalist shoes have gained popularity as an alternative to traditional shoes. The aim of the present study was to determine the short-term effects of minimalist shoes in femur range of motion (ROM) and cadence. The secondary objectives were the assessment of the electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in nulliparous women.

A tele-health primary care rehabilitation program improves self-perceived exertion in COVID-19 survivors experiencing Post-COVID fatigue and dyspnea: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: Current evidence suggests that up to 70% of COVID-19 survivors develop post-COVID symptoms during the following months after infection. Fatigue and dyspnea seem to be the most prevalent post-COVID symptoms.

Objective: To analyze whether a tele-rehabilitation exercise program is able to improve self-perceived physical exertion in patients with post-COVID fatigue and dyspnea.

Reproducibility and Concurrent Validity of Manual Palpation with Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging for Assessing Deep Abdominal Muscle Activity: Analysis with Preferential Ratios.

The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) is a clinical tool used for identifying preferential activity of deep abdominal muscles. However, concurrent validity and reproducibility of palpation during the ADIM has not been formally investigated. The aims of this study were (1) to assess intra- and interrater reliability of manual palpation during the ADIM, and (2) to determine the concurrent validity of manual palpation during the ADIM by calculating preferential activation ratio cut-off as assessed with ultrasound imaging (RUSI).

Translation and Validation of the Spanish Movement Imagery Questionnaire Revised Second Version (MIQ-RS).

Background: Motor imagery, which emphasizes mental rehearsal of motor skills to improve function, is frequently used in clinical practice. Because of its increasing use, reliable and valid tools are necessary to evaluate motor imagery abilities. However, there are few questionnaires translated and validated into Spanish language.

Influence of Clinical, Physical, Psychological, and Psychophysical Variables on Treatment Outcomes in Somatic Tinnitus Associated With Temporomandibular Pain: Evidence From a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: To assess the influence of clinical, psychological, and psychophysical variables on treatment outcomes after application of exercise combined with education with/without manual therapy in people with tinnitus associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Methods: A secondary analysis of a clinical trial was performed investigating the effectiveness of including cervico-mandibular manual therapy into an exercise combined with education program in 61 subjects with TMD-related tinnitus. Clinical outcomes including tinnitus severity and tinnitus-related handicap were assessed at 3 and 6 months post-intervention.

Effects of Cervico-Mandibular Manual Therapy in Patients with Temporomandibular Pain Disorders and Associated Somatic Tinnitus: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: This randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of adding cervico-mandibular manual therapies into an exercise and educational program on clinical outcomes in individuals with tinnitus associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Methods: Sixty-one patients with tinnitus attributed to TMD were randomized into the physiotherapy and manual therapy group or physiotherapy alone group. All patients received six sessions of physiotherapy treatment including cranio-cervical and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) exercises, self-massage, and patient education for a period of one month.

Effectiveness of the Bobath concept in the treatment of stroke: a systematic review.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Bobath concept in sensorimotor rehabilitation after stroke. A systematic literature review was conducted on the Bobath concept from the first publication available to January 2018, consulting PUBMED, CENTRAL, CINAHL and PEDro databases. Fifteen clinical trials were selected in two consecutive screenings.

Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Quality of Life for Patients With Low Back Pain.

Study Design: Multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

Objective: To estimate the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) for the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries of Short Form SF-12 (SF-12), in patients with low back pain (LBP).

Summary Of Background Data: Quality of life is one of the core domains recommended to be assessed in patients with LBP.

Patients with neck pain are less likely to improve if they experience poor sleep quality: a prospective study in routine practice.

Objective: To assess whether sleep quality (SQ) at baseline is associated with improvement in pain and disability at 3 months.

Materials And Methods: Four hundred twenty-two subacute and chronic patients with neck pain (NP) were recruited in 32 physiotherapy, primary care, and specialized centers. NP, referred pain, disability, catastrophizing, depression, and SQ were assessed through validated questionnaires, upon recruitment and 3 months later.

Effectiveness of the Godelieve Denys-Struyf (GDS) method in people with low back pain: cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: The Godelieve Denys-Struyf method (GDS) is a motor learning intervention that may be applied in group or individualized sessions.

Objective: The study objective was to compare the effectiveness of routine physical therapy, group GDS (GDS-G) sessions, and group and individualized GDS (GDS-I) sessions.

Design: This was a cluster randomized controlled trial.