Systemic Inflammatory Changes in Spinal Cord Injured Patients after Adding Aquatic Therapy to Standard Physiotherapy Treatment.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe medical condition resulting in substantial physiological and functional consequences for the individual. People with SCI are characterised by a chronic, low-grade systemic inflammatory state, which contributes to further undesirable secondary injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding aquatic therapy to the standard physiotherapy treatment, implemented in two different schedules, on systemic inflammation in SCI patients.

Effectiveness of Body Weight-Supported Gait Training on Gait and Balance for Motor-Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This review aims to analyse the effectiveness of body weight-supported gait training for improving gait and balance in patients with motor-incomplete spinal cord injuries.

Method: Relevant articles were systematically searched in electronic databases to identify randomised controlled trials of body weight-supported gait training (either with methods of robotic, manual, and functional electrical stimulation assistance) versus conventional physical therapy or no intervention. Subjects were >16 years-old with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury (AIS C or D).

Effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation on balance and gait in patients with multiple sclerosis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Motor impairments are very common in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Noninvasive brain stimulation could influence the motor function of patients.

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on balance and gait ability in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Constraint-induced movement therapy versus bimanual intensive therapy in children with hemiplegia showing low/very low bimanual functional performance: A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Children with infantile hemiplegia with low or very low bimanual functional performance have great impediments to spontaneously use their affected upper limb, which affects their performance of day-to-day activities and their quality of life.

Objective: To determine whether the order of application and the dose of modified constraint-induced movement therapy within a combined (hybrid) protocol influences the results of bimanual functional performance of the affected upper limb and the quality of life of children with congenital hemiplegia (5 to 8 years old) with low/very low bimanual functional performance.

Design: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

High-Intensity Laser Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is one of the therapeutic approaches used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of HILT for reducing pain and improving functionality in people with MSD. Ten databases were systematically searched for randomized trials published up to 28 February 2022.

Effectiveness of Different Electrical Stimulation Modalities for Pain and Masticatory Function in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Temporomandibular disorders comprise a set of conditions that include alterations of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles. Although different modalities of electric currents are widely used for treating temporomandibular disorders, previous reviews have suggested these are ineffective. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of different electrical stimulation modalities in patients with temporomandibular disorders for reducing musculoskeletal pain, increasing the range of movement, and improving muscle activity.

Capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency at 448 kHz plus exercising versus exercising alone for subacromial pain: A sham-controlled randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of thermal and sub-thermal capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency at 448 kHz plus exercising compared to sham radiofrequency plus exercising on pain, functionality, and quality of life in patients with subacromial pain.

Design: Randomized, controlled, parallel, double-blind, three-arm clinical trial.

Setting: Hospital and Primary Care.

Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Exercising in People With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with exercising in people with fibromyalgia.

Design: Randomized, triple-blind, sham-controlled, clinical trial.

Setting: Primary health care center.

A New Approach to Assess Blinding for Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatment in Patients with Fibromyalgia. A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Correct blinding is essential for preventing potential biases. The aim of this study was to assess the blinding of participants and a therapist following treatment with transcranial direct current stimulation in subjects with fibromyalgia using James' and Bang's blinding indexes. Eighty subjects were randomly allocated either active or sham stimulation groups in an intervention of five sessions lasting 20 min each.

Pressure-Induced Referred Pain as a Biomarker of Pain Sensitivity in Fibromyalgia.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome is characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and generalized increased pain sensitivity. Appropriate and simple pain models are methods employed to assess pain mechanisms that can potentially lead to improved treatments. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) or mapping the referred pain area produced by pressure stimulation at suprathreshold intensities are used to assess pain mechanisms.

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of fecal incontinence: a systematic review.

Fecal incontinence severely impacts on quality of life, causing stigmatization and social exclusion. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is one technique used for treatment. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of PTNS for the treatment of fecal incontinence.

Improvement of continence rate with pelvic floor muscle training post-prostatectomy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the evidence of the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted in four databases. Studies were grouped according to the intervention program(muscle training versus control and individual home-based versus physiotherapist-guided muscle training).