Publications by authors named "Maria Jose Diaz-Arribas"

Article Synopsis
  • * A national survey of 422 physical therapists in Spain revealed that most had limited training and experience in DN, with common adverse events being post-needling soreness and bent needles.
  • * The study underscores the need for better training on anatomical knowledge and safety protocols, as higher training hours correlated with increased reported complications, indicating gaps in current practice.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to compare various ultrasound and elastography metrics to distinguish individuals with chronic neck pain from asymptomatic controls.
  • It involved 316 participants, collecting data on demographics, pain levels, and ultrasound features of the cervical multifidus muscle.
  • The key finding was that fatty infiltration in the muscle effectively differentiated those with chronic neck pain, with significant results indicating higher levels in this group compared to controls.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study was designed as a simple blind, random controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the GDS physiotherapy method for nonspecific low back pain (LBP) in primary care settings.
  • 137 patients participated, with one group receiving conventional physiotherapy and another getting GDS treatment, with outcomes measured before, after, and at 3 and 6 months follow-ups.
  • Results indicated that while both groups experienced reductions in pain and improved quality of life, the GDS group showed significantly better outcomes that persisted six months after treatment compared to the control group.
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