Post-COVID Patients With New-Onset Chronic Pain 2 Years After Infection: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Although pain is common in non-hospitalized post-COVID-19 syndrome, only a few studies have provided information on the pain experience of these patients. AIM: To identify the clinical and psychosocial profile associated with pain in non-hospitalized patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. METHOD: In this study there were three groups: healthy control group, successfully recovered group, and post-COVID syndrome group. Pain-related clinical profile and pain-related psychosocial variables were collected. Pain-related clinical profile included: pain intensity and interference (Brief Pain Inventory), central sensitization (Central Sensitization Scale), insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index), and pain treatment. Pain-related psychosocial variables were: fear of movement and (re)injury (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia), catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), depression, anxiety and stress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), and fear-avoidance beliefs (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire). RESULTS: In all, 170 participants were included in the study (healthy control group n = 58, successfully recovered group n = 57, and post-COVID syndrome group n = 55). Post-COVID syndrome group obtained significantly worse punctuation in pain-related clinical profile and psychosocial variables than the other two groups (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome have experienced high pain intensity and interference, central sensitization, increased insomnia severity, fear of movement, catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, depression, anxiety, and stress.

Pain Experiences of People Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Case-Control Studies.

IMPORTANCE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders and is characterized by compromised social interactions, reduced verbal communication, stereotyped repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory abnormalities. Yet absent from the knowledge base is information about sensory abnormalities related to pain experiences. Exploring the pain experiences of people with ASD may provide occupational therapy practitioners with a baseline to determine areas of need and effective interventions. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of the literature to summarize current evidence from case-control studies comparing sensory abnormalities with regard to pain experiences of people diagnosed and not diagnosed with ASD. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search of the CINAHL, Cochrane, MEDLINE (PubMed), OTseeker, and Web of Science databases, using MeSH terms and broad keywords. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA COLLECTION: A search was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included studies. FINDINGS: A total of 27 case-control studies involving 865 people with ASD and 864 control participants were included. Several methods were used to explore pain experiences, such as threshold detection or pain threshold. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: The results indicate that people with ASD may have an abnormal sensory experience with regard to pain sensitivity. Occupational therapy practitioners should develop an intervention to focus on pain. What This Article Adds: This study adds to the body of literature indicating that people with ASD have sensory abnormalities with regard to pain experiences. Results highlight the need for occupational therapy interventions to focus on pain experiences.

Ventilatory Impairments Associated with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The peripheral and central repercussions of Parkinson's disease (PD) affect the neuromuscular system producing a loss of muscle strength that can influence the respiratory system. Although several studies have examined various respiratory aspects of PD, to the best of our knowledge no study to date has systematically reviewed the existing data. OBJECTIVES: To examine the available literature related to the respiratory impairment in PD patients. METHODS: We used PRISMA guidelines when reporting this review. We searched Pubmed, Cinhal, SciELO, and Cochrane Library, from inception until August 2018. Main variables assessed were forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC%) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent predicted (FEV1%) for PD patients. RESULTS: Six studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The obtained results concluded that PD patients present poorer pulmonary function when compared to healthy controls. When PD patients were compared between ON and OFF states, the results reviewed are in favour of the ON state. In the meta-analysis performed for FVC% and FEV1%, the results fail to find significant differences between PD patients and controls (p = 0.336 and p = 0.281, respectively), and between PD ON and OFF states (p = 0.109 and p = 0.059, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that PD patients have impaired respiratory capacities that are related to the PD severity, time since diagnosis, and OFF state. Adequate follow-up of the respiratory function and studies focused on PD phenotypes have to be considered in future studies.

Speech and language therapy treatment on hypokinetic dysarthria in Parkinson disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of speech and language therapy (SLT) on Hypokinetic dysarthria (HD) in Parkinson's disease. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS: We performed a literature search of randomized controlled trials using PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and Cochrane database (last search October 2020). Quality assessment and risk of bias were assessed using the Downs and Black scale and the Cochrane tool. The data were pooled and a meta-analysis was completed for sound pressure levels, perceptual intelligibility and inflection of voice fundamental frequency. RESULTS: We selected 15 high to moderate quality studies, which included 619 patients with Parkinson's disease. After pooling the data, 7 studies, which compared different speech language therapies to no treatment, control groups and 3 of their variables, (sound pressure level, semitone standard deviation and perceptual intelligibility) were included in the analysis.Results showed significant differences in favor of SLT for sound pressure level sustained phonation tasks (standard mean difference = 1.79; 95% confidence interval = 0.86, 2.72; p ⩽ 0.0001). Significant results were also observed for sound pressure level and semitone standard deviation in reading tasks (standard mean difference = 1.32; 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.61; p ⩽ 0.0001). Additionally, sound pressure levels in monologue tasks showed similar results when SLT was compared to other treatments (standard mean difference = 0.87; 95% confidence interval = 0.46, 1.28; p ⩽ 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests a beneficial effect of SLT for reducing Hypokinetic Dysarthria in Parkinson's disease, improving perceptual intelligibility, sound pressure level and semitone standard deviation.

The Caregiver Burden Inventory as a Sleep Disturbance Screening Tool for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to explore the degree to which caregiver burden is associated with sleep quality in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, and to determine a statistically valid cutoff score for the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) in order to identify parents of risk of poor sleep quality. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis. We assessed caregiver burden with the CBI, sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, emotional status with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and impact on family with the Impact on Family Scale. Caregiver burden was evaluated with a logistic regression analysis. The best fit model was used in a receiver operating characteristic analysis. Likelihood ratios and post-test probabilities were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 116 parents were included in this study. Higher caregiver burden was associated with a reduction in sleep quality in the logistic regression analysis (p < 0.001). The area under the curve for the univariate burden test model (best fit) was 76.70 (p < 0.001). The cutoff score for poor sleep quality was caregiver burden ≥26.50. The post-test probability of poor sleep quality increased to 82.02% from a pre-test probability of 76.72%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that caregiver burden is associated with sleep quality among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. The findings suggest that a CBI cutoff score of 26.50 may help to detect risk of poor sleep quality in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Psychological distress at hospital admission is related to symptoms severity and health status in malignant pleural effusion patients.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence and associated healthcare costs of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) are expected to rise, but there is limited evidence about which factors affect patients' prognosis. So, the aim of this study was to determine whether psychological distress at hospital admission is associated with symptom severity and health status in patients with MPE. METHODS: A longitudinal observational prospective cohort study was carried out in the Pulmonology Service of the Granada University Hospital Complex in Granada, Spain. Patients diagnosed with MPE were included and evaluated at hospital admission, at discharge and at one month after discharge. Outcome measures included symptom severity (i.e. dyspnoea, pain and cough) and health status (functionality and self-perceived health status). RESULTS: Significant differences were found in symptoms and the health status, with worse results in the group with psychological distress at discharge. One month after discharge, MPE patients with psychological distress exhibited greater symptoms, including more cough and dyspnoea (p < .05). Moreover, these patients showed worse functionality (p < .05) and self-perceived health status (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Psychological distress is an important factor to take into account in patients with MPE. The presence of psychological distress appears to increase the symptoms and is associated with worse health status after hospitalisation.

Musculoskeletal Signs Associated with Shoulder Pain in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and lung resection still represents the main curative treatment modality. Although video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative, its relationship with shoulder musculoskeletal signs remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To characterize shoulder dysfunction in patients after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and to analyze its influence on quality of life. DESIGN AND SETTING: A longitudinal observational prospective cohort study has been carried out in the Thoracic Surgery Service of the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves (Granada). SUBJECTS: Fifty-nine patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were included. METHODS: Patients were assessed before surgery, at discharge, and one month after discharge. Musculoskeletal disturbances, pain severity, and health status were assessed. Musculoskeletal outcomes measured were range of movement and trigger points, both bilaterally. Additionally, pain severity and health status were measured with Brief Pain Inventory and Euroqol-5 dimensions. RESULTS: Significant differences were found at discharge in trigger points of ipsilateral and contralateral upper limbs. One month after surgery, no muscle returned to baseline measures, and ipsilateral and contralateral shoulders presented a decreased range of motion, as well as poor quality of life and high severity and interference of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assissted thoracoscopic surgery was associated with musculoskeletal shoulder dysfunction, which remained one month after the intervention. This musculoskeletal dysfunction included significant dysfunction in both shoulders with a decreased range of movement, an increase in trigger points, poor quality of life, and high severity and interference of pain.

Effects of a Patient-Centered Graded Exposure Intervention Added to Manual Therapy for Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of a 6-week patient-centered graded exposure intervention added to manual therapy in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and fear of movement/(re)injury. DESIGN: Prospective 3-armed randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Faculty of Health Sciences. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 49 women with CPP and substantial fear of movement were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups: (1) patient-centered graded exposure intervention added to manual therapy; (2) manual therapy; (3) control group. INTERVENTIONS: The 6-week intervention consisted of 12 sessions in the group receiving manual therapy and 6 additional sessions of graded exposure therapy in the group receiving both interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were fear-avoidance behavior assessed using the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and pain interference and severity evaluated with the Brief Pain Inventory. The secondary outcome was disability evaluated with the Oswestry Disability Index. All the variables were assessed in a blinded manner at baseline, after the treatment, and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Our results show interaction effects (P<.05) for all the outcomes. Graded exposure added to manual therapy is distinctly superior to manual therapy alone in maintaining improvements for long-term fear-avoidance behavior and physical functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Graded exposure added to manual therapy is a promising approach with long-term effects for women with CPP and fear of movement/(re)injury.

Musculoskeletal neck disorders in thyroid cancer patients after thyroidectomy.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common type of cancer in the endocrine system, and thyroidectomy is the preferred treatment. Complications associated are still common and 80% of patients complain of posterior neck pain. The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term musculoskeletal disorders in TC patients who had undergone thyroidectomy. An observational case-control study was carried out. Twenty-eight patients who had undergone thyroidectomy and 28 healthy control patients were included. Outcomes were collected 6 months after surgery and included: musculoskeletal neck disorders (neck range of movement, trigger points) and functional variables (pain intensity and disability). Significant differences were found between groups in flexion (p = 0.002) and extension (p = 0.005), with lower values in the thyroidectomy group. The number of trigger points was higher in the thyroidectomy group in both scalenes (p < 0.001), both sternocleidomastoids (p < 0.001), both upper trapezius (p = 0.005 and p = 0.008), right levator scapulae (p = 0.002) and both suboccipitalis (p = 0.002). Pain intensity (p < 0.001) and the Neck Outcome Scale subscales (p < 0.05) also presented significant differences. Thyroidectomy patients, 6 months after surgery, show a significant decrease in neck range of movement and an increase in the number of trigger points. They also show greater pain intensity and more disability.

Does adding an integrated physical therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy to standard rehabilitation improve functional outcome in elderly patients with pneumonia? A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of an integrated programme of physical and electrical therapy to standard rehabilitation to improve physical and functional performance in elderly patients with pneumonia. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. The study was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov website (identifier: NCT02515565). SETTING: University Hospital. SUBJECTS: In total, 185 elderly patients with pneumonia were eligible for the study, of which 95 were finally randomized. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to a control group which received the standard treatment or to an intervention group which received additionally an integrated programme of physical and electrical therapy. MAIN MEASURES: Demographic and clinical information was acquired. Pulmonary function, length of hospital stay, handgrip strength, independence levels and comorbidities were assessed as descriptive outcomes. The main outcome measure was functional and physical performance, evaluated with the short physical performance battery. Secondary outcome measures were respiratory symptoms including dyspnoea, fatigue and cough. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 74.92 (11.03) years in the intervention group and 72.53 (9.24) years in the control group. Significant between groups differences (P < 0.05) were found in short physical performance battery chair stand test (2.17 (0.97) vs. 0.58 (0.61)) and total score (5.91 (3.61) vs. 4.15 (3.15)). The intervention group showed better performance than the control group in both cases. Fatigue (32.04 (18.58) vs. 46.22 (8.90)) and cough (18.84 (2.47) vs. 17.40 (3.67)) showed higher improvement in the intervention group, and significant differences were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: An integrated programme of physical and electrical therapy during hospitalization improves physical and functional performance in patients with pneumonia.

A randomized controlled study of whether setting specific goals improves the effectiveness of therapy in people with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the effects of an intervention based on a specific set of goals on goal attainment, manual dexterity, hand grip strength and finger prehension force compared to a standardized approach in patients with Parkinson's disease. DESIGN:: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING:: Home-based. PARTICIPANTS:: Fifty patients with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease acknowledging impaired manual ability were randomized into two groups. INTERVENTIONS:: Patients in the experimental group ( n = 25) were included in an intervention focused on task components that involved goals proposed by participants. Patients in the control group ( n = 25) received a standard intervention focused on impairments in range of motion, grasp and manipulation. Home condition and duration (four weeks, twice a week) were similar in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: The primary outcome measure was goal achievement assessed with the Goal Attainment Scaling. Secondary outcomes were manual dexterity evaluated with the Purdue Pegboard Test and hand grip strength and finger prehension force assessed using a dynamometer. RESULTS:: After four weeks, significant between-group improvement in goal attainment was observed in the experimental group (change 17.36 ± 7.48 vs. 4.03 ± 6.43, P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the experimental group also showed a significant improvement ( P < 0.05) in manual dexterity (postintervention values in the most affected arm 10.55 ± 1.95 vs. 7.33 ± 3.63 pins, P < 0.001) and finger prehension force (postintervention values in the most affected arm 8.03 ± 1.93 vs. 6.31 ± 1.85 kg, P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS:: Targeting therapy toward specific goals leads to greater changes in arm function than a standardized approach in people with Parkinson's disease.

[Association between the functional impact of osteoarthritis and body mass index in women]. / El índice de masa corporal como fenotipo en el perfil clínico y funcional en mujeres con osteoartritis de rodilla.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with pain, reduction of function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). AIM: To describe the clinical profile of women with knee OA according to their body mass index (BMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational study in 308 women with knee OA. According to their BMI, they were classified as normal-weight, overweight and obese. The primary outcome measure was functionality evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes were sleep quality evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and quality of life assessed with the European Quality of Life Five Dimension (EuroQol-5D). RESULTS: WOMAC, PSQI and EuroQol-5D scores were significantly higher in obese women. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obese women with OA have more sleep disorders, reduction on functionality and quality of life compared to their normal weight counterparts.

Effects of an Exercise Intervention in Frail Older Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Hospitalized due to an Exacerbation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The objective of this study was to determine whether an exercise intervention using a pedal exerciser is able to reduce disability in frail older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during hospitalization due to an acute exacerbation. This study was a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. Fifty-eight frail older patients admitted to hospital due to an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) were included in this study. All patients received standard medical and pharmacological care. Patients assigned to the intervention group also received an exercise intervention. The main outcome measures were balance, muscle strength, and exercise capacity. Significant between-group differences were found in muscle strength (p = 0.028) and balance (p = 0.013) after the intervention. All the variables improved significantly (p < 0.05) in the exercise intervention group. In the intervention group, the mean difference in muscle strength between baseline and discharge was 10.47 N. Balance also improved, showing a mean difference of 7.56 seconds on the right leg and 6.57 seconds on the left leg. Exercise capacity improved as well, with a difference of 4.97 stands between baseline and discharge. All the variables showed impairment in the control group. In conclusion, an exercise intervention using a pedal exerciser during the hospital stay of frail elderly patients with an AECOPD improves muscle strength, balance, and exercise capacity.

Results of a Multimodal Program During Hospitalization in Obese COPD Exacerbated Patients.

The objective of this study was to analyze the results of a multimodal therapeutic program during hospitalization in obese AECOPD patients. This was a randomized, single-blind clinical trial conducted at two university hospitals in Granada, Spain. Forty-nine patients hospitalized due to AECOPD were randomly allocated to a control group (CG), in which patients received standard care, or to an intervention group (IG), in which patients were included in a multimodal therapeutic program, added to the standard care. The main outcome measures were pulmonary, physical (strength and exercise capacity) and perceived (dyspnea, quality of life and psychological distress) variables. Within-group significant improvements (p < 0.05) were found in physical and perceived variables in the IG after the treatment. In the CG, a significant decrease was found in lower limb strength and a significant improvement in dyspnea and in three subscales of the EuroQol-5D questionnaire. The between-groups analysis showed significant differences after the treatment on lower limb strength and exercise capacity values (p < 0.05), in three of the EuroQol-5D subscales, and in the total score and the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A multimodal therapeutic program has a beneficial effect on physical functioning and perceived variables in hospitalized obese patients with AECOPD.

Changes in Cognitive Status in COPD Patients Across Clinical Stages.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease, its prevalence increases with age. COPD is frequently associated with co-morbidities such as cognitive impairment, and their clinical relevance has risen in the recent past. Cognitive function may fluctuate with the variable components of COPD like hypoxaemia, hypercapnia, lung function, exacerbations or severity of the disease. The objectives of this study were to examine whether the cognitive status of COPD patients is different across clinical stages (exacerbation, at discharge and stable COPD) and also if there are cognitive areas that have more potential to change than others. Prospective observational clinical study: 62 patients admitted to hospital due to acute exacerbation of COPD were evaluated at hospital admission; 61 at discharge; and finally, 48 patients with stable COPD completed the study and were included in the analysis. Cognitive status was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Our results show that all clinical variables improved from exacerbation to discharge COPD. MoCA total score, visuoconstructional, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall and orientation subscores improved significantly from exacerbation to discharge COPD (p < 0.05). MoCA total score, visuoconstructional and naming subscores worsened significantly from discharge to stable COPD (p < 0.05). Finally, from exacerbation to stable COPD all the clinical variables improved; MoCA total score and naming, attention, language, abstraction and delayed recall subscores have shown significant differences (p < 0.05). Cognitive status of COPD patients is different across clinical stages, and there are cognitive areas with more potential to change than others.

Acute Effects of Contract-Relax Stretching vs. TENS in Young Subjects With Anterior Knee Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Valenza, MC, Torres-Sánchez, I, Cabrera-Martos, I, Valenza-Demet, G, and Cano-Cappellacci, M. Acute effects of contract-relax stretching vs. TENS in young subjects with anterior knee pain: A randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2271-2278, 2016-The aim of this study was to examine the immediate effects on pressure point tenderness, range of motion (ROM), and vertical jump (VJ) of contract-relax stretching vs. transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy in individuals with anterior knee pain (AKP). Eighty-four subjects with AKP were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 different intervention groups: a contract-relax stretching group (n = 28), a TENS intervention group (n = 28), and a control group (n = 28). The participants included in the sample were both sex (37.5% men vs. 62.5% women) at a mean age of 21 years, with mean values of height and weight of 169 cm and 64 kg, respectively. The main outcome measures were knee ROM, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and VJ. The participants were assessed at baseline and immediately after treatment. In the case of VJ, at baseline, immediately after the intervention, at 3 and at 6 minutes posttreatment. The data analysis showed that PPT scores of participants in the stretching and TENS group significantly increased from pretest to posttest (p ≤ 0.05). A significant increase pre- to posttreatment in ROM (p < 0.001) was also observed in both treatment groups. In VJ measures, TENS and stretching groups showed significant differences between preintervention and all postintervention values (p ≤ 0.05), whereas no significant differences were found in the control group. In conclusion, the results show significant pre-to-post-treatment effects in PPT, ROM, and VJ from both contract-relax stretching and TENS in young subjects with AKP.

The Effects of Doming of the Diaphragm in Subjects With Short-Hamstring Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Taking into account the complex structure of the diaphragm and its important role in the postural chain, the authors were prompted to check the effects of a diaphragm technique on hamstring flexibility. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the doming-of-the-diaphragm (DD) technique on hamstrings flexibility and spine mobility. DESIGN: Randomized placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: University laboratory. PATIENTS: Sixty young adults with short-hamstring syndrome were included in this randomized clinical trial using a between-groups design. INTERVENTION: The sample was randomly allocated to a placebo group (n = 30) or an intervention group (n = 30). Duration, position, and therapist were the same for both treatments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hamstring flexibility was assessed using the forward-flexion-distance (FFD) and popliteal-angle test (PAT). Spinal motion was evaluated using the modified Schober test and cervical range of movement. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA afforded pre- to postintervention statistically significant differences (P < .001) in the intervention group compared with the placebo group for hamstring flexibility measured by the FFD (mean change 4.59 ± 5.66 intervention group vs 0.71 ± 2.41 placebo group) and the PAT (mean change intervention group 6.81 ± 8.52 vs placebo group 0.57 ± 4.41). Significant differences (P < .05) were also found in the modified Schober test (mean change intervention group -1.34 ± 3.95 vs placebo group 1.02 ± 3.05) and cervical range of movement. Significant between-groups differences (P < .05) were also found in all the variables measured. CONCLUSIONS: The DD technique provides sustained improvement in hamstring flexibility and spine mobility.

Effects of Tai-Chi on Quality of Life in People With Neurodegenerative Diseases. A systematic Review of Randomised Clinical Trials.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with neurodegenerative diseases. DATA SOURCE: This review followed the guidelines of the updated PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020. A systematic search in five electronic databases (Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro, and OTseeker) was performed. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized control trials (RCTs) examining Tai Chi interventions to improve HRQoL in patients with neurodegenerative diseases published through March 2023 were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted from each study by two independent researchers into a data extraction form based on the Cochrane recommendations. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed. DATA SYNTHESIS: A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: Of the 439 records that were screened, eight RCTs met the eligibility criteria. They assessed cognitive decline (n = 2) or Parkinson's disease (n = 6). RCT comparison groups included active interventions or usual care. The duration of Tai Chi therapy ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. A sensitivity analysis using a fixed effect model indicated that Tai Chi therapy significantly increased HRQoL [P < 001, SMD (95% CI) = .41 [.21, .60], I2 = 4%]. CONCLUSION: Tai Chi can effectively improve the HRQoL of people with neurodegenerative diseases, but the heterogeneity across intervention was relatively high. Further studies are needed as research into the benefits of Tai Chi in neurodegenerative disease rehabilitation is still limited.

Effectiveness of aquatic therapy on sleep in persons with fibromyalgia. A meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic musculoskeletal condition characterized by persistent, widespread pain, myofascial tenderness, negative affect, fatigue, memory problems and sleep disturbances. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the evidence of the effects of aquatic therapy on sleep quality in patients with FMS. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2020 (PRISMA) guidelines and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), whit the registration number CRD42021249982. Cochrane library, Medline (PubMed), Science Direct Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and PEDro were searched from inception until September 2021. The search included only randomized clinical trials. RESULTS: Of the 7711 studies identified in the initial search, a total of 7 trials (361 participants) satisfied the eligibility criteria. Finally, a meta-analysis was conducted with 6 studies (311 participants). The overall pooled effect favored aquatic therapy interventions in improving sleep quality in patients with FMS (pooled MD, -2.05; 95% CI, -4.35 to 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence that aquatic therapy improved sleep quality in patients with FMS. This study highlights the importance of aquatic therapy for sleep. Nonetheless, although an aquatic therapy intervention may represent a good option to improve sleep, given the low number of studies the evidence should be taken with caution.

Symptom severity is associated with signs of central sensitization in patients with asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, dyspnoea, chest tightness and cough. In addition to respiratory symptoms, previous studies have reported the presence of pain. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the nociceptive processing of young adults with well-controlled asthma. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control study was performed. Patients diagnosed with persistent well-controlled asthma were recruited from the 'Complejo Hospitalario Universitario' (Granada). Main outcomes included pain processing, measured by the pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) and temporal summation and latency of pain; symptoms, including cough (Leicester Cough Questionnaire) and dyspnoea (Borg scale); and catastrophic cognitions about breathlessness, assessed by the Breathlessness Catastrophizing Scale (BCS). RESULTS: Seven-two participants were finally recruited in our study. Patients with asthma presented lower pressure thresholds (p < 0.05) and significant differences in latency and summation tests. These patients also presented a greater cough level, with significant differences in all subscales (p < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in the BCS between groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results show a decrease of PPTs and a greater pain intensity in latency and summation tests, suggesting an abnormal pain processing in patients with asthma.