A randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of mirror therapy in improving strength, range of movement and muscle activity, in people with carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the potential effects of mirror therapy (MT) on motor recovery in individuals with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of a MT protocol versus a therapeutic exercise (TE) protocol, in improving strength, range of motion (ROM), muscle activity, pain, and functionality in patients with CTS. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Thirty-nine participants with unilateral CTS were divided into two groups: (i) MT group (n = 20) that followed an exercise protocol applied to the unaffected hand reflected in a mirror, and (ii) TE group (n = 19) that followed the same exercise protocol using the unaffected hand but without a mirror. Strength, wrist ROM, muscle activity, pain and functionality, were assessed at baseline (T0), after treatment (T1) and one month after treatment (T2). RESULTS: At T1, the MT group showed significantly higher wrist flexion-extension ROM compared to TE (p = 0.04, d = 0.8), maintained at T2 (p = 0.02, d = 0.8). No significant changes were observed in ulnar-radius deviation, pronosupination, or fatigue following either MT or TE (p > 0.05). MT exhibited enhanced handgrip strength at T1 (p = 0.001, d = 0.7), as well as an increase in the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) maximum muscle activity (p = 0.04, d = 1.0; p = 0.03, d = 0.4). At T1, both groups decreased pain (p = 0.002, d = 1.1; p = 0.02, d = 0.7), and improved functionality (p < 0.001, d = 0.8; p = 0.01, d = 0.5) (MT and TE respectively). DISCUSSION: MT led to enhancements in wrist flexion-extension movement, handgrip strength and functionality unlike TE. MT notably increased muscle activity, particularly in the ECR and FCR muscles. CONCLUSIONS: MT is a favorable strategy to improve wrist flexion-extension ROM, handgrip strength, ECR and FCR muscle activity, and functionality in people with unilateral CTS.

Effect of narrative photography to improve physical therapy students' learning outcomes when studying heart transplantation: A randomized controlled trial.

Physical therapy students must learn about heart transplantation. They need to know how to care for these patients' emotions and needs. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a narrative photography (NP) program and a traditional learning (TL) program in physical therapy students' knowledge, satisfaction, empathy, and moral sensitivity. A two-armed assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was carried out. One hundred and seventeen physical therapy students participated in the study. They were divided into two groups: (i) NP group (n = 56) and (ii) TL group (n = 61). At the end of the program, NP group's knowledge increased when compared with the TL group (p = 0.02). 90.57% of the sample was very satisfied/satisfied with the NP method, and 88.68% felt that NP helped them to understand the importance of considering subjective realities. In conclusion, NP improved knowledge and satisfaction compared with the TL group. These results suggest that NP may be a useful method to improve the academic outcomes of physical therapy students in the heart transplantation field; thus, NP may be considered a teaching-learning methodology of choice in physical therapy students.

Effects of mirror neuron activation therapies on functionality in older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify the effects of mirror neuron activation (MNAT) combined or not with physical exercise (PE) in healthy older adults, on functionality, balance, gait velocity and risk of falls. METHODS: A systematic electronic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included in the qualitative analysis, and eleven in the quantitative analysis. All studies showed fair to high quality and the most frequent high-risk bias was "Blinding of participants and personnel". Compared to the control condition, higher improvement was shown in older people who received MNAT, on functionality (1.57 [0.57, 2.62], balance (1.95 [1.32, 2.572]), and gait velocity (1.20 [0.30, 2.11]). Compared to PE, MNAT combined with PE does not improve functionality. More studies are needed to assess MNAT effectiveness in the rest of the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Neuron system activation through MNAT improves relevant abilities in older adults, with better results when including functional activities. However, the beneficial effects on these variables of adding MNAT to a PE program are controversial.

Effects of an Oral Stimulation Program on Feeding Outcomes in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIMS: To review the literature on the effects of unimodal sensorimotor stimulation protocols on feeding outcomes in very preterm and moderate to late preterm infants (PIs). METHODS: Five databases were searched up to April 2022. Studies comparing unimodal sensorimotor stimulation protocols based on the combination of manual oral stimulation with NNS against usual care in PIs, on-time transition to full oral feeding (FOF), feeding efficacy, length of hospital stay, and/or body weight gain. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included. Compared to usual care, unimodal sensorimotor stimulation protocols based on manual oral stimulation combined with NNS demonstrated to be more effective in decreasing time transition to FOF (standardized mean difference [95%CI] - 1.08 [-1.74, -0.41]), improving feeding efficacy (2.15 [1.18, 3.13]) and shortening length of hospital stay (-0.35 [-0.68, -0.03]). However, the proposed intervention was not effective in improving weight gain (0.27 [-0.40, 0.95]). There were no significant differences according to gestational age (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on fair-to-high quality evidence, unimodal sensorimotor stimulation protocols combined with NNS reduce time transition to FOF, improve feeding efficacy, and shorten the length of hospital stay; yet the proposed intervention yielded no significant effects on body weight gain when compared to usual care in PIs.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with sexual dysfunction regardless of physical activity status: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a rheumatic disorder that has been observed to affect self-perception of sexuality. AIM: The study aims to assess sexual dysfunction (SD), establish possible associations with SD levels, and evaluate the impact of physical activity (PA) levels on SD in Spanish women with FMS as compared with healthy control women. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional. A total of 170 women voluntarily agreed to participate between September 2019 and February 2020: 88 in the FMS group and 82 in the control group. OUTCOMES: The main outcome measures were SD, as assessed through the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and PA levels, as assessed with a structured interview. RESULTS: There were significant differences in every domain and total SD score between the FMS and control groups (P < .05). In addition, we obtained a moderate significant direct association (χ2[1] = 37.071, P < .05, phi = 0.467) when exploring the associations between FMS and risk of SD. Results showed statistically significant differences between the FMS group and the control group when PA levels were not reached in the desire, pain, and total scores of the FSFI (P < .05). When the PA levels were reached, between-group differences were found in all domains, as well as in the total score of the FSFI (P < .05). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Sexual function should be evaluated in women with FMS, while future treatments should address this clinical area with the aim of managing SD in this population. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The main limitation is that the outcome measures were self-reported. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of SD in Spanish women with FMS, with an impact on aspects such as desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain during sexual intercourse. In addition, there is a moderate direct association between FMS and SD. Ultimately, the results showed that, irrespective of PA, women with FMS reported increased SD.

Development of an in-house bone marrow collection kit: The Catalan bone marrow transplantation group experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bone marrow (BM) harvesting is one of the essential sources of stem cells for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In 2019, commercial BM collection kits became unavailable in Europe. Consequently, we created an in-house BM collection kit as an alternative. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared two groups of BM collections. The first collections were taken using an in-house kit from June 2022 through February 2023 and the second with a commercial kit from February 2021 through May 2022. These all took place at seven collection centres (CC). We analysed the harvest quality (cell blood count, CD34+ cells, viability, potency and sterility), the incidents occurring with each kit and the time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment in recipients. RESULTS: A total of 23 donors underwent BM harvesting with the in-house kit and 23 with the commercial one. Both cohorts were comparable regarding donor characteristics, CC and time to procedure. No statistical differences were found in harvest quality between the in-house and commercial kits. A new transfusion set was required in three BM harvests (13%) with the in-house kit because of filter clogging. The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 21 days for both cohorts and 29 days (in-house) and 33 days (commercial), p = 0.284, respectively. CONCLUSION: The in-house BM collection kit offers a real approach to solve the diminished supply of commercial kits. A higher risk of filter clogging was observed compared with commercial kits due to the lack of 850 and 500 µm filters.

Effects of therapeutic exercise in primary dysmenorrhea: an umbrella and mapping review.

PURPOSE: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is 1 of the most prevalent gynecologic conditions. The main aim of this umbrella review was to assess the effects of therapeutic exercise (TE) on PD. METHODS: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and PEDro (December 10, 2022). The outcome measures assessed were menstrual pain intensity, menstrual pain duration, and quality of life. Methodological quality was analyzed using the AMSTAR and ROBIS scales, and the strength of evidence was established according to the advisory committee grading criteria guidelines. RESULTS: Nine systematic reviews were included. The results showed that TE, regardless of the exercise model and intensity, has a clinical effect in improving menstrual pain intensity in women with PD with moderate quality of evidence. In addition, the results showed that TE has a clinical effect in improving the duration of menstrual pain in women with PD with a limited quality of evidence. However, the results are controversial on the improvement of quality of life in women with PD with a limited quality of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: TE seems an effective option to implement in women with PD to improve the intensity and duration of menstrual pain. We cannot draw robust results for quality of life due to the low number of primary studies. More research in this field can help us establish more robust conclusions, as well as to assess whether there is one exercise model or intensity of training that is more effective than others.PROSPERO number: This review was previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022371428).

Effect of virtual running with exercise on functionality in pre-frail and frail elderly people: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Virtual mirror therapies could increase the results of exercise, since the mirror neuron system produces an activation of motor execution cortical areas by observing actions performed by others. In this way, pre-frail and frail people could use this system to reach an exercise capacity threshold and obtain health benefits. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a virtual running (VR) treatment combined with specific physical gait exercise (PE) compared to placebo VR treatment combined with PE on functionality, pain, and muscular tone in pre-frail and frail older persons. METHODS: A single blinded, two-arm, randomised controlled trial design was employed. Thirty-eight participants were divided into two intervention arms: Experimental Intervention (EI) group, in which VR and gait-specific physical exercises were administered and Control Intervention (CI) group, in which a placebo virtual gait and the same exercise programme was administered. Functionality, pain, and tone were assessed. RESULTS: EI group improved in aerobic capacity, functional lower-limb strength, reaction time, and pain, while CI group remained the same. Regarding static balance and muscle tone, no differences were found for either group. Further analysis is needed to asses VR effectiveness for improving gait, stand-up and sit-down performance and velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual running therapy appears to enhance capacities related with voluntary movements (i.e., aerobic capacity, functional lower-limb strength, and reaction time) and reduce pain.

Impact of physical activity levels on the ability to maintain static trunk posture in older adults.

PROPOSE: to assess the impact of physical activity (PA) levels on sitting posture in the older adults. METHODS: One hundred and twenty individuals were divided into three groups according their PA levels: vigorous group (VG); moderate group (MG); low group (LG). The ability to maintain static trunk posture in sitting position as assessed based on the cervical angle (CA) and thoracic angle (TA) was measured. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between measurements in CA for the VG. However, LG and MG participants exhibited a significant decrease in CA from minute 1 to 10 and from minute 2 to 10, respectively. In the thoracic region, only the MG exhibited significant differences in TA from minute 2 to 10 compared to minute 1 (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in TA between measurements for either VG or LG. CONCLUSIONS: PA has a high impact on the ability to maintain static trunk posture in the older adults.

Effects of a vestibular physiotherapy protocol on adults with intellectual disability in the prevention of falls: A multi-centre clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Balance alterations are one of the main problems in people with intellectual disabilities (ID), increasing their risk of falls and impacting their life. AIMS: To describe a vestibular rehabilitation programme (VRP) and evaluate its effects on the ability to maintain balance and risk of suffering a fall. METHODS: Forty-seven adults with mild to moderate ID were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CG, N = 24), which performed a general physical exercise only, and an experimental group (EG, N = 23) which also completed a VRP. The variables, used pre- and post-training and 1 month after the intervention, were as follows: Center of Pressure Displacement, Berg Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance. RESULTS: The EG improved significantly in each variable. The CG did not show changes for any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: A programme based on VRP may improve balance and reduce the risk of falling.

Endothelial differentiation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in glioma tumors: implications for cell-based therapy.

Multipotent human adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) are promising therapy vehicles with tumor-homing capacity that can be easily modified to deliver cytotoxicity activating systems in the proximity of tumors. In a previous work, we observed that hAMSCs are very effective delivering cytotoxicity to glioma tumors. However, these results were difficult to reconcile with the relatively few hAMSCs surviving implantation. We use a bioluminescence imaging (BLI) platform to analyze the behavior of bioluminescent hAMSCs expressing HSV-tTK in a U87 glioma model and gain insight into the therapeutic mechanisms. Tumor-implanted hAMSCs express the endothelial marker PECAM1(CD31), integrate in tumor vessels and associate with CD133-expressing glioma stem cells (GSC). Inhibition of endothelial lineage differentiation in hAMSCs by Notch1 shRNA had no effect on their tumor homing and growth-promoting capacity but abolished the association of hAMSCs with tumor vessels and CD133+ tumor cells and significantly reduced their tumor-killing capacity. The current strategy allowed the study of tumor/stroma interactions, showed that tumor promotion and tumor-killing capacities of hAMSCs are based on different mechanisms. Our data strongly suggest that the therapeutic effectiveness of hAMSCs results from their association with special tumor vascular structures that also contain GSCs.

Evaluation of posterolateral lumbar fusion in sheep using mineral scaffolds seeded with cultured bone marrow cells.

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of hybrid constructs in comparison to bone grafts (autograft and allograft) for posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) in sheep, instrumented with transpedicular screws and bars. Hybrid constructs using cultured bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising results in several bone healing models. In particular, hybrid constructs made by calcium phosphate-enriched cells have had similar fusion rates to bone autografts in posterolateral lumbar fusion in sheep. In our study, four experimental spinal fusions in two animal groups were compared in sheep: autograft and allograft (reference group), hydroxyapatite scaffold, and hydroxyapatite scaffold seeded with cultured and osteoinduced bone marrow MSCs (hybrid construct). During the last three days of culture, dexamethasone (dex) and beta-glycerophosphate (ß-GP) were added to potentiate osteoinduction. The two experimental situations of each group were tested in the same spinal segment (L4-L5). Spinal fusion and bone formation were studied by clinical observation, X-ray, computed tomography (CT), histology, and histomorphometry. Lumbar fusion rates assessed by CT scan and histology were higher for autograft and allograft (70%) than for mineral scaffold alone (22%) and hybrid constructs (35%). The quantity of new bone formation was also higher for the reference group, quite similar in both (autograft and allograft). Although the hybrid scaffold group had a better fusion rate than the non-hybrid scaffold group, the histological analysis revealed no significant differences between them in terms of quantity of bone formation. The histology results suggested that mineral scaffolds were partly resorbed in an early phase, and included in callus tissues. Far from the callus area the hydroxyapatite alone did not generate bone around it, but the hybrid scaffold did. In nude mice, labeled cells were induced to differentiate in vivo and monitored by bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Although the cultured MSCs had osteogenic potential, their contribution to spinal fusion when seeded in mineral scaffolds, in the conditions disclosed here, remains uncertain probably due to callus interference with the scaffolds. At present, bone autografts are better than hybrid constructs for posterolateral lumbar fusion, but we should continue to seek better conditions for efficient tissue engineering.

Maternal outcomes using delayed pushing versus immediate pushing in the second stage of labour: An umbrella review.

INTRODUCTION: Different systematic reviews have been developed in the last decades about maternal risks of immediate pushing and delayed pushing, depending on the duration of the second stage of labour, but they do not provide conclusive evidence. AIM: The main aim of this overview of systematic reviews was to assess the maternal outcomes using delayed pushing and immediate pushing in the second stage of labour in women receiving epidural analgesia. METHODS: We searched systematically in PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, CINAHL, and Scopus (October 26th, 2023). Methodological quality was analysed using AMSTAR and ROBIS scales, and the strength of evidence was established according to the guidelines advisory committee grading criteria. The outcome measures were the duration of the second stage of labour, duration of active pushing, caesarean section, instrumental vaginal birth, spontaneous vaginal birth, fatigue score, perineal lacerations, postpartum haemorrhage, and rate of episiotomy. Seven systematic reviews with and without meta-analysis were included. RESULTS: Results showed that delayed pushing increases the total time of the second stage of labour, although delayed pushing decreases the duration of active pushing with moderate quality of evidence. Mixed results were found with respect to the variables instrumental vaginal birth, spontaneous vaginal birth, and fatigue score although the results favour delayed pushing or show no statistically significant differences with respect to immediate pushing. No favourable results were ever found for immediate pushing with respect to delayed pushing, with a limited quality of evidence. Even so, delayed pushing seems to be associated with a significant increase in spontaneous vaginal birth rates. The results found no significant differences between the immediate pushing and delayed pushing groups in the caesarean section rates, perineal lacerations, postpartum haemorrhage, and episiotomy ratio, with a limited quality of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that delayed pushing during the second stage of labour produces at least the same maternal outcomes as immediate pushing, although we note that delayed pushing produces an increase of the duration of the second stage of labour, a shorter duration of the active pushing and a tendency to increase spontaneous vaginal birth and to reduce the instrumental vaginal birth rates and fatigue scores. This should be considered clinically. This review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO (CRD42023397616).

Effectiveness of virtual-walking intervention combined with exercise on improving pain and function in incomplete spinal cord injury: a feasibility study.

STUDY DESIGN: A feasibility pilot study. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility a full-scale Randomized Controlled Trial aimed at assessing the beneficial effect of a Virtual Walking (VW)-based (Experimental intervention (EI)) on neuropathic pain and functionality in people with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: A hospital service (Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe) and disability associations (TetraSport, CODIFIVA and ASPAYM). METHODS: Twelve people with chronic incomplete SCI were randomized to EI (VW plus therapeutic exercise program (TE)) -or Control Intervention (CI (placebo VW and TE)) groups. A six-week intervention (3 sessions/week) was carried out. To assess feasibility, the following outcomes were used: level of restriction and validity of inclusion and exclusion criteria, participants' compliance, accessibility and acceptability of the intervention for participants, adequate pre-training time of physiotherapists. To explore therapy effectiveness, pain severity, and interference, mean and maximum isometric strength, walking speed, and walking ability were assessed before (Time 1, T1) and after (Time 2, T2) the intervention. RESULTS: 20% of the participants initially recruited did not meet inclusion criteria. In addition, all participants completed at least 80% of the intervention sessions and none of the participants dropped out before T2. No serious adverse event was found. Moreover, 91.67% of participants were willing to perform the intervention again and all therapists involved were adequately pre-trained. Finally, our preliminary results suggest that the proposed EI is effective. CONCLUSION: A full-scale RCT is feasible and preliminary results suggest that VW with TE could have a beneficial impact on pain and functionality in this population.

The Development and Evaluation of the Kinesthetic Motor Imagery of Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction Questionnaire (KMI-PFQ) in Spanish Women.

Practitioners have begun using motor imagery (MI) for preventing and treating some pelvic floor disorders. Due to requirements for imagining before performing a MI intervention and because there are few instruments available for assessing this specific ability in the pelvic floor musculature, we sought to develop and test a new MI questionnaire, the Kinesthetic Motor Imagery of Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction Questionnaire (KMI-PFQ). We focused in this study on the development and analysis of the instrument's factorial structure and internal reliability in a participant sample of 162 healthy Spanish women (M age = 20.1, SD = 2.2 years). We developed and evaluated the KMI-PFQ's psychometric properties, finding it to have good internal consistency, with Cronbach's α = .838, ω coefficient = .839, and an intraclass correlation coefficient = .809, with two factors ("ability" and "mental effort") explaining 58.36% of response variance. The standard error of measurement was 3.58, and the minimal detectable change was 9.92. No floor or ceiling effects were identified. There was also good convergent validity as seen by statistically significant positive correlations between KMI-PFQ scores and the revised-Movement Image Questionnaire and Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire. There were no statistically significant correlations between KMI-PFQ scores and the Orientation to Life Questionnaire. The KMI-PFQ is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring kinesthetic ability to feel/imagine pelvic floor muscle contractions in healthy Spanish women.

Acid ceramidase as a therapeutic target in metastatic prostate cancer.

Acid ceramidase (AC) catalyzes the hydrolysis of ceramide into sphingosine, in turn a substrate of sphingosine kinases that catalyze its conversion into the mitogenic sphingosine-1-phosphate. AC is expressed at high levels in several tumor types and has been proposed as a cancer therapeutic target. Using a model derived from PC-3 prostate cancer cells, the highly tumorigenic, metastatic, and chemoresistant clone PC-3/Mc expressed higher levels of the AC ASAH1 than the nonmetastatic clone PC-3/S. Stable knockdown of ASAH1 in PC-3/Mc cells caused an accumulation of ceramides, inhibition of clonogenic potential, increased requirement for growth factors, and inhibition of tumorigenesis and lung metastases. We developed de novo ASAH1 inhibitors, which also caused a dose-dependent accumulation of ceramides in PC-3/Mc cells and inhibited their growth and clonogenicity. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis of primary prostate cancer samples showed that higher levels of ASAH1 were associated with more advanced stages of this neoplasia. These observations confirm ASAH1 as a therapeutic target in advanced and chemoresistant forms of prostate cancer and suggest that our new potent and specific AC inhibitors could act by counteracting critical growth properties of these highly aggressive tumor cells.

Sex-related differences in migraine clinical features by frequency of occurrence: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The sex-related differences of migraine hold clinical relevance to achieve a better diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate sex-related differences in migraine features, the impact, and health care resources for people who suffer from episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM). METHODS: 184 patients (72 % women; 61.4 % with EM; mean (SD) age of 38.7 (10.4) years) were assessed through the Migraine Disability Assessment, the Short Form 36 Health Survey, the Beck Depression Inventory II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Additionally, medication intake and medical assistance were recorded. Multivariate analyses were performed, stratifying by frequency of occurrence (EM and CM) and sex (men and women). RESULTS: The results showed that women presented a greater number of symptoms (p=0.03), pain intensity (p<0.01), pain duration (p=0.03), disability (p=0.01), amount of symptomatic medication (p=0.04) and medical visits (p=0.001), as well as a worse physical role (p=0.004) than men with EM. However, no significant differences between them were found for CM (p>0.05). Moreover, it was identified that there was a significant increase in medication intake among people with CM compared to EM (p<0.001). It is worth noting that there were no significant differences by diagnosis and sex in emotional status (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine features, impact and health care resources were greater in women than men with EM; yet no significant differences between them were found for CM. The findings of the present study may contribute to a better diagnosis and treatment response in people with migraines.

Sexual Perception in Spanish Female Breast Cancer Survivors. Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess sexual perception in female breast cancer survivors and establish if women presenting with sexual dysfunctions symptoms receive pelvic floor physiotherapy or request information on treatment. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey carried out between January and March 2021. An online survey designed by the authors was structured in 3 dimensions: demographic and anthropometric data, medical data and sexual perception data. An open format survey with 23 questions available to any website visitor. The survey followed the CHERRIES guidelines. The study included 130 women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The presence of pain during sexual activity was reported in 56.92% of cases. Specifically, 40.8% reported superficial dyspareunia, which is most commonly expressed by women as a "stinging pain." Surprisingly, only 4.6% of the women had received any type of pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment or had sought information. CONCLUSIONS: Women breast cancer survivors have a negative perception of their sexuality. In addition, there is a lack of knowledge about the role of physiotherapy in sexual dysfunction, and only a small percentage of women received pelvic floor treatment or information to address their sexual dysfunction.

Exercise-based interventions on sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: An umbrella and mapping review with meta-analysis.

The main aim of this umbrella review was to assess the impact of exercise-based interventions (EBIs) on sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). We searched systematically in PubMed, PEDro, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar. Methodological quality was analyzed using AMSTAR and ROBIS scale, and the strength of evidence was established according to GRADE. Nine systematic reviews were included. Meta-analysis (MA) of primary studies (n = 42) were performed with a random-effects model. The MA revealed a moderate statistically significant effect of EBIs (SMD=-0.46 [-0.69 to -0.23]). Subgroup analyses by type of exercise showed significant effect of body-mind exercises (SMD=-0.55 [-0.86 to -0.23]) and combined exercises (SMD=-1.11 [-2.12 to -0.11]) but not for aerobic (SMD=-0.04 [-0.15 to 0.07]) or strength (SMD=-0.52 [-1.14 to 0.1]) exercises in isolation. The results obtained showed that EBIs were effective in improving sleep quality compared to minimal intervention, no intervention or usual care, with a low certainty of evidence. Subgroup analyses showed that mind-body and combined exercises elicited the strongest effect, while aerobic and strength exercise in isolation did not show significant effects.