Effects of a plank-based strength training programme on muscle activation in patients with long COVID: a case series.

Background: This study aimed to analyse the effects of a plank-based strength training programme on muscle activation in patients with long COVID.

Subjects And Methods: Case series study that included patients with long COVID who participated in a 12-week trunk and pelvic muscle strength training programme. Clinical variables and the modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS) were used to assess fatigue levels.

The Association of Genetic Markers Involved in Muscle Performance Responding to Lactate Levels during Physical Exercise Therapy by Nordic Walking in Patients with Long COVID Syndrome: A Nonrandomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Several genetic markers have shown associations with muscle performance and physical abilities, but the response to exercise therapy is still unknown. The aim of this study was to test the response of patients with long COVID through an aerobic physical therapy strategy by the Nordic walking program and how several genetic polymorphisms involved in muscle performance influence physical capabilities. Using a nonrandomized controlled pilot study, 29 patients who previously suffered from COVID-19 (long COVID = 13, COVID-19 = 16) performed a Nordic walking exercise therapy program for 12 sessions.

Leisure Time Habits and Levels of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents.

Background/objectives: Childhood and adolescence are important stages of life for acquiring healthy habits. There is a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyles worldwide during these ages, which negatively impacts health. This is attributed, in part, to excessive time spent engaging in sedentary behaviors.

Economic Cost of Rehabilitation with Robotic and Virtual Reality Systems in People with Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review.

: The prevalence of neurological disorders is increasing worldwide. In recent decades, the conventional rehabilitation for people with neurological disorders has been often reinforced with the use of technological devices (robots and virtual reality). The aim of this systematic review was to identify the evidence on the economic cost of rehabilitation with robotic and virtual reality devices for people with neurological disorders through a review of the scientific publications over the last 15 years.

Effects of Aerobic Exercise Therapy through Nordic Walking Program in Lactate Concentrations, Fatigue and Quality-of-Life in Patients with Long-COVID Syndrome: A Non-Randomized Parallel Controlled Trial.

Background: Long-COVID syndrome comprises a variety of signs and symptoms that develop during or after infection with COVID-19 which may affect the physical capabilities. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the effects of Long-COVID syndrome in sport capabilities after suffering from COVID-19 infection. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare lactate concentration and quality of life (QoL) in patients with Long-COVID with those who have not developed non-Long-COVID during Nordic walking exercise therapy.

Predictive Factors and Gene Polymorphisms in Susceptibility to Long COVID-19 Syndrome.

Long COVID-19 syndrome is present in 5-10% of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, and there is still little information on the predisposing factors that lead to its development. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the predictive factors in early symptoms, clinical features and the role of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 () c.513-1451G>A (rs2106806) and c.

Designing an Informative App for Neurorehabilitation: A Feasibility and Satisfaction Study by Physiotherapists.

Background: New technologies have gained popularity, especially the use of mobile phone applications, in neurorehabilitation. The aim of this paper was (1) to develop a free mobile application () that provides information about and helps to select the appropriate mobile application related to a list of neurological disorders (cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and facial paralysis), based on different objectives such as healthy habits, information, assessment, and treatment; and (2) to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and degree of satisfaction by physiotherapists after using for a minimum of three months.

Methods: A free application was created to work with the Android operating system.

Construct Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of a Free Mobile Application to Evaluate Aerobic Capacity and Endurance in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Patients-A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Disability associated with the symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome is one of its main features and can have a considerable impact on care and rehabilitation units. This, linked to a decreased aerobic capacity and endurance in post-COVID-19 syndrome patients, increases interest in studying the potential of mobile applications to assess performance capacity. The purpose of this research was to study how a free mobile application assesses aerobic capacity and endurance and its relationship with aerobic capacity, test-retest reliability, and endurance evaluated by a conventional test, along with fatigue and health-related quality of life.

Effects of Percutaneous and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Endogenous Pain Mechanisms in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: The main aim was to determine the effects of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on endogenous pain mechanisms in patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The search was conducted on March 1, 2022, in the EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Medline, and SCOPUS databases.

Muscle Work and Its Relationship with and Polymorphisms Are Associated with the Improvement of Explosive Strength.

Background: The potential influence of genetics in athletic performance allows the search for genetic profiles associated with muscular work for the orientation of strength training and sports selection. The purpose of the study was to analyze four muscular exercises for effectiveness in improving explosive strength variables, associated to the genetics in Angiotensin Converting Enzyme () and α-actinin-3 () polymorphisms.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on a sample of 80 subjects allocated into four groups: concentric muscle work (CMW), eccentric muscle work (EMW), concentric-eccentric muscle (C-EMW) work and isometric muscular work (IMW), by block and gender randomization.

Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Patients with Mild to Moderate Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: A Secondary Analysis.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and the correlation between the number of MTrPs and pain and function in patients presenting knee pain osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study. The prevalence of MTrPs located in tensor fasciae latae, hip adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and popliteus muscles was studied in 114 patients (71 men and 43 women) with knee OA.

Construct validity and test-retest reliability of a free mobile application for spatio-temporal gait analysis in Parkinson's disease patients.

Background: Mobile applications may be used to assess gait pattern deviation through mobile smartphones in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, few studies have investigated their psychometrics properties.

Research Question: To study the construct validity and test-retest reliability of the RUNZI® free mobile application in people with mild to moderate PD.

Analgesic effects of a capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency in patients with myofascial chronic neck pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: To date, there is a lack of prior studies on the use of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (RF) to treat neck pain. The objective of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (RF=448 kHz), in comparison with a placebo, on (1) reducing neck pain intensity at myofascial trigger points (MTrP), (2) decreasing neck disability and (3) improving cervical range of motion (CROM).

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT02353195) was carried out.

Influence of body mass index on psychological and functional outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To analyze the effect of weight on psychological and functional outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, including self-perception, depression, functional level, fatigue, and self-rated health status.

Methods: One hundred and one (n = 101) patients with MS participated in this cross-sectional study. Outcomes were scores in the Beck Depression Inventory, NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEOFFI), Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS), Fatigue Impact Scale, and Quality Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36).

Trigger points and pressure pain hypersensitivity in people with postmeniscectomy pain.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are (1) to assess the presence of myofascial trigger points (TrPs) and widespread pressure hyperalgesia; and (2) to assess the relationship between the presence of active TrPs, pain intensity, and widespread pressure hypersensitivity in individuals with postmeniscectomy pain.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with postmeniscectomy pain, 46 to 60 years of age, and 33 matched controls participated. TrPs were explored bilaterally within the tensor fasciae latae, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, adductor magnus, adductor longus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles in a blinded manner.

Increased pain sensitivity is not associated with electrodiagnostic findings in women with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objective: To determine the differences in widespread pressure pain and thermal hypersensitivity in women with minimal, moderate, and severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and healthy controls.

Methods: A total of 72 women with CTS (19 with minimal, 18 with moderate, and 35 with severe) and 19 healthy age-matched women participated. Pressure pain thresholds were bilaterally assessed over the median, ulnar, and radial nerves, the C5 to C6 zygapophyseal joint, the carpal tunnel, and the tibialis anterior muscle.

Women with carpal tunnel syndrome show restricted cervical range of motion.

Study Design: A case control, blinded study.

Objectives: To compare the amount of cervical range of motion in women with minimal, mild/moderate, and severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to that of healthy control participants. We also assessed the relationships between cervical range of motion and clinical variables related to the intensity and temporal profile of pain within each CTS group.