Efficacy of Physical Therapy on Nociceptive Pain Processing Alterations in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a major health, social, and economic problem. Most of the subjects who suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain present processes of central sensitization. Temporal summation and conditioned pain modulation are the two most commonly used clinical measures of this. The objective of this review is to evaluate the effects of physical therapy on temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, EBSCO, PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Collaboration Trials Register, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and SCOPUS databases. Different mesh terms and key words were combined for the search strategy, with the aim of encompassing all studies that have used any type of physical therapy treatment in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and have measured both TS and CPM. RESULTS: Eighteen studies remained for qualitative analysis and 16 for quantitative analysis. Statistically significant differences with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were obtained for TS (-0.21, 95% CI = -0.39 to -0.03, Z = 2.50, P = 0.02, N = 721) and CPM (0.34, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.56, Z = 2.99, P = 0.003, N = 680) in favor of physical therapy as compared with control. Manual therapy produces a slight improvement in TS, and physical therapy modalities in general improve CPM. No significant differences between the subgroups of the meta-analysis were found. The methodological quality of the studies was high. CONCLUSIONS: Physical therapy produces a slight improvement in central sensitization (CS)-related variables, with TS decreased and CPM increased when compared with a control group in patients with CMP. Only significant differences in TS were identified in the manual therapy subgroup.

Effect of Manual Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise Applied to the Cervical Region on Pain and Pressure Pain Sensitivity in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of cervical manual therapy (MT) on patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and to compare cervico-craniomandibular MT vs cervical MT. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis (MA). METHODS: A search in PubMed, EMBASE, PEDro, and Google Scholar was conducted with an end date of February 2019. Two independent reviewers performed the data analysis, assessing the relevance of the randomized clinical trials regarding the studies' objectives. The qualitative analysis was based on classifying the results into levels of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: Regarding cervical MT, MA included three studies and showed statistically significant differences in pain intensity reduction and an increase in masseter pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), with a large clinical effect. In addition, the results showed an increase in temporalis PPT, with a moderate clinical effect. MA included two studies on cervical MT vs cervico-craniomandibular MT interventions and showed statistically significant differences in pain intensity reduction and pain-free maximal mouth opening, with a large clinical effect. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical MT treatment is more effective in decreasing pain intensity than placebo MT or minimal intervention, with moderate evidence. Cervico-craniomandibular interventions achieved greater short-term reductions in pain intensity and increased pain-free MMO over cervical intervention alone in TMD and headache, with low evidence.

Is aerobic exercise helpful in patients with migraine? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) on patients with migraine in terms of pain intensity, frequency and duration of migraine, and quality of life. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were conducted. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for relevant outcomes and were pooled in a meta-analysis using the random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 10 articles from 1950 to 2019 were included, involving 508 patients. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant differences in the decrease in pain intensity (five studies, n = 166; SMD = 1.25; 95% CI 0.47-2.04), frequency (six studies, n = 214; SMD = 0.76; 95% CI 0.32-1.2) and duration of migraine (four studies, n = 106; SMD = 0.41; 95% CI 0.03-0.8), in the short-term. In addition, the meta-analysis showed statistically significant differences in the increase in quality of life (four studies, n = 150; SMD = 2.7; 95% CI 1.17-4.24), even though the Egger's test suggested significant evidence of publication bias for the analysis of quality of life (intercept = 5.81; t = 6.97; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: There is low- and moderate-quality evidence that in patients with migraine AE can decrease the pain intensity, frequency and duration of migraine and can also increase quality of life.

Evidence for Central Sensitization in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

OBJECTIVES: Several authors have evaluated different pain measurements, including quantitative sensory testing (QST), temporal summation (TS), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in order to determine the presence of central sensitization (CS) and its influence on patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Since there are no convincing studies about this topic, the purpose of this study was to conduct a review of the studies involving CS-related measures in TMD patients. METHODS: A meta-analysis of case-control and cohort/cross sectional studies was conducted. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for relevant QST outcomes and pooled in a meta-analysis using the random effects model. Twenty-two studies (eleven case-control and eleven cross sectional studies) met the inclusion criteria; eight were included in the meta-analysis (five cross-sectional and three case-control). Patients with TMD had decreased pressure pain thresholds in both trigeminal (five studies; n = 1,985; SMD = -1.55, 95% CI -2.23 to -0.77; P < 0.01) and remote areas (five studies; n = 1,985; SMD = -1.92, 95% CI -2.95 to -0.89; P < 0.01). When analyzing for thermal hyperalgesia (hot and cold pain thresholds), differences were not found in trigeminal areas or remote areas in patients with TMD. The TS qualitative analysis showed strong evidence of spinal hyperexcitability for mechanically evoked pain. CONCLUSION: These meta-analyses support the existence of differences in widespread pressure pain sensitivity in patients with TMD when compared with asymptomatic subjects. Spinal and central hyperexcitability can be found in TMD patients as shown by an increase in mechanical TS.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effectiveness of Graded Activity and Graded Exposure for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness of graded activity (GA) or graded exposure (GEXP) for chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP). METHODS: A literature search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL, and PsychINFO) was conducted to identify randomized control trials (RCTs). Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for relevant outcome measures (pain intensity, disability, quality of life, and catastrophizing). RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Only nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. GA was significantly more effective than the control group (CG) for improvements in disability in the short term (three studies: n = 254, SMD = -0.3, 95% CI -0.55 to -0.05, P = 0.02) and long term (two studies: n = 238, SMD = -0.53, 95% CI -0.79 to -0.27, P < 0.0001). GA was significantly less effective than GEXP for the improvement of disability in the short term (two studies: n = 105, SMD = 0.39, 95% CI 0.003-0.78, P = 0.048). GA was also significantly less effective than GEXP at improving catastrophizing in the short term (two studies: n = 105, SMD = 0.48, 95% CI 0.09-0.87, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Limited evidence has been found to show that GA significantly reduces disability in the short and long term when compared with the CG in CNSLBP. There is moderate evidence that GEXP more effectively decreases catastrophizing than GA in the short term. No difference was found between GA and other exercise for any variable.

Multimodal manual therapy vs. pharmacological care for management of tension type headache: A meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Manual therapies are generally requested by patients with tension type headache. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of multimodal manual therapy vs. pharmacological care for the management of tension type headache pain by conducting a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, EBSCO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Collaboration Trials Register, PEDro and SCOPUS were searched from their inception until June 2014. All randomized controlled trials comparing any manual therapy vs. medication care for treating tension type headache adults were included. Data were extracted and methodological quality assessed independently by two reviewers. We pooled headache frequency as the main outcome and also intensity and duration. The weighted mean difference between manual therapy and pharmacological care was used to determine effect sizes. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials met our inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analyses found that manual therapies were more effective than pharmacological care in reducing frequency (weighted mean difference -0.8036, 95% confidence interval -1.66 to -0.44; three trials), intensity (weighted mean difference -0.5974, 95% confidence interval -0.8875 to -0.3073; five trials) and duration (weighted mean difference -0.5558, 95% confidence interval -0.9124 to -0.1992; three trials) of the headache immediately after treatment. No differences were found at longer follow-up for headache intensity (weighted mean difference -0.3498, 95% confidence interval -1.106 to 0.407; three trials). CONCLUSION: Manual therapies were associated with moderate effectiveness at short term, but similar effectiveness at longer follow-up for reducing headache frequency, intensity and duration in tension type headache than pharmacological medical drug care. However, due to the heterogeneity of the interventions, these results should be considered with caution at this stage.

Masticatory sensory-motor changes after an experimental chewing test influenced by pain catastrophizing and neck-pain-related disability in patients with headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has shown a relationship of craniomandibular disability with neck-pain-related disability has been shown. However, there is still insufficient information demonstrating the influence of neck pain and disability in the sensory-motor activity in patients with headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of neck-pain-related disability on masticatory sensory-motor variables. METHODS: An experimental case-control study investigated 83 patients with headache attributed to TMD and 39 healthy controls. Patients were grouped according to their scores on the neck disability index (NDI) (mild and moderate neck disability). Initial assessment included the pain catastrophizing scale and the Headache Impact Test-6. The protocol consisted of baseline measurements of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and pain-free maximum mouth opening (MMO). Individuals were asked to perform the provocation chewing test, and measurements were taken immediately after and 24 hours later. During the test, patients were assessed for subjective feelings of fatigue (VAFS) and pain intensity. RESULTS: VAFS was higher at 6 minutes (mean 51.7; 95% CI: 50.15-53.26) and 24 hours after (21.08; 95% CI: 18.6-23.5) for the group showing moderate neck disability compared with the mild neck disability group (6 minutes, 44.16; 95% CI 42.65-45.67/ 24 hours after, 14.3; 95% CI: 11.9-16.7) and the control group. The analysis shows a decrease in the pain-free MMO only in the group of moderate disability 24 hours after the test. PPTs of the trigeminal region decreased immediately in all groups, whereas at 24 hours, a decrease was observed in only the groups of patients. PPTs of the cervical region decreased in only the group with moderate neck disability 24 hours after the test. The strongest negative correlation was found between pain-free MMO immediately after the test and NDI in both the mild (r = -0.49) and moderate (r = -0.54) neck disability groups. VAFS was predicted by catastrophizing, explaining 17% of the variance in the moderate neck disability group and 12% in the mild neck disability group. CONCLUSION: Neck-pain-related disability and pain catastrophizing have an influence on the sensory-motor variables evaluated in patients with headache attributed to TMD.

Effectiveness of therapeutic patient education for adults with migraine. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness of therapeutic patient education for migraine. METHODS: A literature search of multiple electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL, and PsychINFO) was conducted to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) published in the English and Spanish languages up to and including May 2013. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, conducted the quality assessment (Delphi list), and extracted the results. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method was used throughout the systematic review and meta-analysis. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for relevant outcome measures (headache frequency, headache disability, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and quality of life) and pooled in a meta-analysis using the random effects model. RESULTS: Fourteen RCTs were included in the systematic review. Only nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The median quality score was 6.14 ± 1.29 (range: 5-9). There was strong-moderate evidence for intermediate-term effectiveness of therapeutic patient education on headache frequency (five studies: N = 940, SMD = -0.24, 95% CI of -0.48 to -0.01, P = 0.03), headache disability (four studies: N = 799, SMD = -1.02, 95% CI of -1.95 to -0.08, P = 0.03), and quality of life (three studies: N = 674, SMD = 0.36, 95% CI of 0.05-0.67, P = 0.02). There was no evidence for either short-term or intermediate-term effectiveness of therapeutic patient education on self-efficacy or depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: This systematic review revealed strong-moderate evidence for intermediate-term effectiveness of therapeutic patient education for migraine. Further high-quality RCTs are required for conclusive determination of its effectiveness.

Intra-rater and Inter-rater Reliability of Mandibular Range of Motion Measures Considering a Neutral Craniocervical Position.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the mandibular range of motion (ROM) considering the neutral craniocervical position when performing the measurements. [Subjects and Methods] The sample consisted of 50 asymptomatic subjects. Two raters measured four mandibular ROMs (maximal mouth opening (MMO), laterals, and protrusion) using the craniomandibular scale. Subjects alternated between raters, receiving two complete trials per day, two days apart. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was determined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess reliability, bias, and variability. Finally, the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were analyzed to measure responsiveness. [Results] Reliability was good for MMO (inter-rater, ICC= 0.95-0.96; intra-rater, ICC= 0.95-0.96) and for protrusion (inter-rater, ICC= 0.92-0.94; intra-rater, ICC= 0.93-0.96). Reliability was moderate for lateral excursions. The MMO and protrusion SEM ranged from 0.74 to 0.82 mm and from 0.29 to 0.49 mm, while the MDCs ranged from 1.73 to 1.91 mm and from 0.69 to 0.14 mm respectively. The analysis showed no random or systematic error, suggesting that effect learning did not affect reliability. [Conclusion] A standardized protocol for assessment of mandibular ROM in a neutral craniocervical position obtained good inter- and intra-rater reliability for MMO and protrusion and moderate inter- and intra-rater reliability for lateral excursions.

Shoulder mobility and strength impairments in patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta analysis.

Background: The methods previously proposed in the literature to assess patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain, based on special orthopedic tests to precisely identify the structure causing the shoulder symptoms have been recently challenged. This opens the possibility of a different way of physical examination. Objective: To analyze the differences in shoulder range of motion, strength and thoracic kyphosis between rotator cuff related shoulder pain patients and an asymptomatic group. Method: The protocol of the present research was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO) (registration number CRD42021258924). Database search of observational studies was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, WOS and CINHAL until July 2023, which assessed shoulder or neck neuro-musculoskeletal non-invasive physical examination compared to an asymptomatic group. Two investigators assessed eligibility and study quality. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodology quality. Results: Eight studies (N = 604) were selected for the quantitative analysis. Meta-analysis showed statistical differences with large effect for shoulder flexion (I2 = 91.7%, p < 0.01, HG = -1.30), external rotation (I2 = 83.2%, p < 0.01, HG = -1.16) and internal rotation range of motion (I2 = 0%, p < 0.01, HG = -1.32). Regarding to shoulder strength; only internal rotation strength showed statistical differences with small effect (I2 = 42.8%, p < 0.05, HG = -0.3). Conclusions: There is moderate to strong evidence that patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain present less shoulder flexion, internal and external rotation range of motion and less internal rotation strength than asymptomatic individuals.

Somatosensory Profiling of Patients With Cluster Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The objectives were 1) to synthesize quantitative sensory testing results in cluster headache (CH) patients and to identify somatosensory differences from healthy subjects (HS), and 2) between symptomatic and asymptomatic sides in CH patients. Two independent reviewers conducted a literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases. Studies with observational designs were included. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. The selected studies underwent qualitative and quantitative analyses. The qualitative analysis showed inconsistent findings among multiple studies. Meta-analysis showed lower pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) on the symptomatic side of CH patients than HS in V2 (standardized mean difference [SMD] -1.01 [95% confidence interval (CI) -1.79, -.23], P = .01, I2 = 73%, n = 114), V3 (SMD -1 [95% CI -1.54, .45], P < .01, I2 = 82%, n = 354), and cervical region (SMD -1.25 [95% CI -2.07, -.44], P < .01, I2 = 84%, n = 194). Furthermore, lower PPTs than those detected in HS were found on the asymptomatic side in V3 (SMD -.77 [95% CI -1.27, -.27], P < .01, I2 = 79%, n = 354) and in the cervical region (SMD -1.13 [95% CI -1.97, -.3], P < .01, I2 = 85%, n = 194). However, no differences were found in V1 or the extratrigeminal points between these groups. No significant changes were found between symptomatic and asymptomatic sides in trigeminal and extratrigeminal regions. Mechanical hyperalgesia in the trigemino-cervical region of patients with CH could suggest the presence of central pain mechanisms. These results are of clinical relevance because their presence could be associated with a poorer prognosis, chronification, and treatment response. PERSPECTIVE: This study provides consistent findings on the somatosensory profile characterizing patients with CH. Clinicians should assess PPTs and other quantitative sensory testing variables in the trigeminal and extratrigeminal (cervical) regions.

Cognitive Reserve in Parkinson's Disease without Dementia: ß-Amyloid and Metabolic Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive reserve (CR) is the mismatch between preserved cognition and neuropathological damage. Amyloidopathy in Parkinson's disease (PD) could be associated with faster progression to dementia, but the putative protective effect of CR is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of CR on ß-amyloid burden and brain metabolism in non-demented PD subjects. METHODS: Participants with PD (n = 53) underwent a clinical evaluation, [18 F]-fluorodeoxyglucose and [18 F]-flutemetamol positron emission tomography magnetic resonances, and were classified according to CR. The metabolic pattern of 16 controls was compared to PD subjects. RESULTS: The PD subjects showed hypometabolism mainly in the bilateral posterior cortex. Superior-CR subjects (n = 22) exhibited better cognitive performance, increased amyloid burden, and higher metabolism in several right hemisphere areas compared to low-medium-CR subjects (n = 31). CONCLUSIONS: Higher CR in non-demented PD is associated with better cognitive performance, which might reduce vulnerability to the effect of ß-amyloid. Whether superior CR leads to protection against metabolic deterioration, and predominantly right hemisphere involvement, deserves further exploration.

Respiratory dysfunction in patients with chronic neck pain: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the differences in respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function between patients with chronic neck pain (CNP) and asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: Databases were MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and EMBASE up to the end of September 2021. Studies with cross-sectional and longitudinal design were selected, with adult patients with CNP and asymptomatic individuals with reports respiratory function. RESULTS: 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and 10 were included in the meta-analysis showing a statistically significant reduction in inspiratory/expiratory muscle strength (MIP/MEP) in the patients with CNP compared with the asymptomatic individuals (mean difference (MD) for MIP, -11.67 [-14.57 to -8.77]; MD for MEP, -11.80 [-14.99 to -8.60]) and pulmonary function: vital capacity (standardized mean difference (SMD), -0.31 [-0.56 to -0.06]); maximum voluntary ventilation (SMD, -0.36 [-0.59 to -0.14]); forced vital capacity (SMD, -0.53 [-0.99 to -0.06]); peak expiratory flow (SMD, -0.58 [-1.03 to -0.12]); and forced expiratory volume in the first second (SMD, -0.28 [-0.51 to -0.05]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CNP have reduced respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function compared with asymptomatic individuals, and this difference could be clinically meaningful. However, more studies of high methodological quality and longitudinal studies are needed to strengthen the results of this meta-analysis. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONRespiratory dysfunction has been observed in patients with chronic neck pain.Patients with chronic neck pain present a decrease in respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function compared with asymptomatic individuals.Respiratory pattern disorders should be considered in the clinical context of chronic neck pain.Interventions focused on respiratory muscle training could be helpful for this population.

Effects of Physiotherapy on Pain and Mouth Opening in Temporomandibular Disorders: An Umbrella and Mapping Systematic Review with Meta-Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this meta-meta-analysis was to assess the current evidence regarding the effect of physical therapy (PT) interventions on pain and functional variables in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). We conducted an umbrella systematic review (SR) and four meta-meta-analyses (MMA) and created an evidence map to determine the effectiveness of PT on pain intensity and maximum mouth opening in patients with TMD. The quality of the included SR was assessed with the AMSTAR 2, and the risk of bias with ROBIS. Of the 31 SR included in the umbrella SR, only 10 were included in the MMA. The MMA showed moderate effects for manual therapy and therapeutic exercise, and large effects for low-level laser therapy on improving pain intensity and maximum mouth opening in patients with TMD, with a limited to moderate quality of evidence. The overlapping analyses showed only a slight overlap for all the MMA according to the corrected covered area (range from 0.07 to 0.2), 23.1% to 41.6%. This umbrella SR showed that manual therapy and exercise interventions, as well as low-level laser therapy interventions, are effective in the reduction in pain intensity and improvement of maximum mouth opening in TMD. This article presents a synthesis of the available evidence related to the various physical therapy interventions used in patients presenting with temporomandibular disorders. These results could help clinicians to select the optimal intervention for their patients and to reject those that are less useful.

Morphological Changes of the Suboccipital Musculature in Women with Myofascial Temporomandibular Pain: A Case-Control Study.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is an umbrella term including pain problems involving the cranio-cervical region. It has been suggested that patients with TMD also exhibit cervical spine disturbances. Evidence suggests the presence of morphological changes in the deep cervical muscles in individuals with headaches. The objective of this study was to compare the morphology of the suboccipital muscles between women with TMD and healthy controls. An observational, cross-sectional case-control study was conducted. An ultrasound examination of the suboccipital musculature (rectus capitis posterior minor, rectus capitis posterior major, oblique capitis superior, oblique capitis inferior) was conducted in 20 women with myofascial TMD and 20 matched controls. The cross-sectional area (CSA), perimeter, depth, width, and length of each muscle were calculated by a blinded assessor. The results revealed that women with myofascial TMD pain exhibited bilaterally reduced thickness, CSA, and perimeter in all the suboccipital muscles when compared with healthy women. The width and depth of the suboccipital musculature were similar between women with myofascial TMD and pain-free controls. This study found morphological changes in the suboccipital muscles in women with myofascial TMD pain. These changes can be related to muscle atrophy and are similar to those previously found in women with headaches. Future studies are required to investigate the clinical relevance of these findings by determining if the specific treatment of these muscles could help clinically patients with myofascial TMD.

Effects of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation of the Vagus Nerve for Management of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of actual external stimuli. Other associated symptoms include frustration, annoyance, anxiety, depression, stress, cognitive dysfunction, insomnia, or emotional exhaustion. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of the non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve in patients with tinnitus. METHODS: Six databases were searched from their date of inception to 15 June 2022 to identify clinical trials in which at least one group received any form of non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve for tinnitus management, with outcomes based on annoyance and related disability. Data on participants, interventions, blinding strategies, assessment outcomes, and results were extracted by two reviewers. RESULTS: The search identified 183 articles with five clinical trials eligible for inclusion in the review and four for the meta-analysis. The methodological quality scores ranged from 6 to 8 (mean: 7.3, SD: 0.8) points. The meta-analysis identified a significant positive effect on THI post-treatment for unilateral auricular stimulation (hg = 0.69, 95% CI 0.06, 1.32) or transcutaneous nerve stimulation (hg = 0.51, 95% CI 0.1, 0.9) compared with a comparative group. No effect on loudness intensity was observed. CONCLUSION: The results of the meta-analysis suggest that the application of the non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve has a positive effect post-treatment in terms of related disability in patients with tinnitus, although its clinical relevance is low. No firm conclusions about the effect of the non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve on tinnitus are available based on the current literature.

Influence of different upper cervical positions on electromyography activity of the masticatory muscles.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the activity of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in relation to different positions of the upper cervical spine during maximal voluntary isometric clenching by surface electromyography (EMG). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with a repeated-measures design performed using 25 asymptomatic subjects (13 female and 12 male; mean age, 31 years; SD, 8.51). The EMG activity of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles was recorded bilaterally during maximal clenching at neutral position and during extension, flexion, ipsilateral lateral flexion, contralateral lateral flexion, and ipsilateral and contralateral rotations in maximal flexion. In addition, the upper cervical range of motion and mandibular excursions were assessed. The EMG activity data were analyzed using a 3-way analysis of variance in which the factors considered were upper cervical position, sex (male and female), and side (right and left), and the hypothesis of importance was the interaction side x position. RESULTS: The 3-way analysis of variance detected statistically significant differences between the several upper cervical positions (F = 13.724; P < .001) but found no significant differences for sex (F = 0.202; P = .658) or side (F = 0.86; P = .53) regarding EMG activity of the masseter muscle. Significant differences were likewise observed for interaction side x position for the masseter muscle (F = 12.726; P < .001). The analysis of the EMG activity of anterior temporalis muscle did not produce statistically significant differences (P > .05). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests that the upper cervical movements influence the surface EMG activity of the masseter muscle. These findings support a model in which there are interaction between the craniocervical and the craniomandibular system.

Pain relief by movement representation strategies: An umbrella and mapping review with meta-meta-analysis of motor imagery, action observation and mirror therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a mapping and umbrella review with a meta-meta-analysis (MMA) to critically evaluate the current evidence of motor imagery (MI), action observation and mirror therapy (MT) on pain intensity. METHODS: The study involved a systematic search of PubMed, PEDro, Scielo, EBSCO and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Ten systematic reviews were included in the qualitative synthesis, 70% of which showed high methodological quality. Three reviews found a significant reduction in chronic musculoskeletal pain as the result of applying movement representation methods (MRM) plus usual-care (UC), with a large clinical effect (standardized mean difference [SMD] of -1.47; 95% CI -2.05 to -0.88; heterogeneity Q = 1.66; p = 0.44; I2  = 0%). However, two reviews showed no statistically significant reduction in acute and postsurgical pain as a result of applying MI plus UC. Four reviews showed no significant reduction in phantom limb pain (PLP) as a result of applying MT plus UC interventions. In four reviews, the MMA showed a significant reduction in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) as a result of applying MT plus UC, with a large clinical effect (SMD -1.27; 95% CI -1.87 to -0.67; heterogeneity Q = 3.95; p = 0.27; I2  = 24%). In two reviews, the MMA showed no significant differences in poststroke pain as a result of applying MT plus UC. CONCLUSION: Results show that MRM could be effective for chronic musculoskeletal pain, with low to moderate-quality evidence. The results also show a reduction in pain intensity through MT interventions in patients with CRPS, although these results were not found in patients with PLP or poststroke pain. SIGNIFICANCE: This umbrella review analysed systematic reviews evaluating movement representation techniques, with the aim of synthesizing the available evidence regarding motor imagery, action observation and mirror therapy on pain. The results provide relevant information about the potential clinical use of movement representation techniques in different types of patients with painful conditions.

Respiratory muscle training improves exercise tolerance and respiratory muscle function/structure post-stroke at short term: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous reviews relating to the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) after stroke tend to focus on only one type of training (inspiratory or expiratory muscles) and most based the results on poor-quality studies (PEDro score ≤4). OBJECTIVES: With this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the effects of RMT (inspiratory or expiratory muscle training, or mixed) on exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle function and pulmonary function and also the effects depending on the type of training performed at short- and medium-term in post-stroke. METHODS: Databases searched were MEDLINE, PEDro, CINAHL, EMBASE and Web of Science up to the end of April 2020. The quality and risk of bias for each included study was examined by the PEDro scale (including only high-quality studies) and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. RESULTS: Nine studies (463 patients) were included. The meta-analysis showed a significant increase in exercise tolerance [4 studies; n = 111; standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.65 (95% confidence interval 0.27-1.04)]; inspiratory muscle strength [9 studies; n = 344; SMD = 0.65 (0.17-1.13)]; inspiratory muscle endurance [3 studies; n = 81; SMD = 1.19 (0.71-1.66)]; diaphragm thickness [3 studies; n = 79; SMD = 0.9 (0.43-1.37)]; and peak expiratory flow [3 studies; n = 84; SMD = 0.55 (0.03-1.08)] in the short-term. There were no benefits on expiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function variables (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) in the short-term. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis provided moderate-quality evidence that RMT improves exercise tolerance, diaphragm thickness and pulmonary function (i.e., peak expiratory flow) and low-quality evidence for the effects on inspiratory muscle strength and endurance in stroke survivors in the short-term. None of these effects are retained in the medium-term. Combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training seems to promote greater respiratory changes than inspiratory muscle training alone.

Motor effects of movement representation techniques and cross-education: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to assess the impact of movement representation techniques (MRT) through motor imagery (MI), action observation (AO) and visual mirror feedback (VMF) and cross-education training (CE) on strength, range of motion (ROM), speed, functional state and balance during experimental immobilization processes in healthy individuals, in patients with injuries that did not require surgery and in those with surgical processes that did or did not require immobilization. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Google Scholar were searched. Thirteen meta-analyses were conducted. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Regarding the immobilized participants, in the healthy individuals, MI showed significant results regarding maintenance of strength and ROM, with low-quality evidence. Regarding the process with no immobilization, VMF and MI techniques showed significant changes in maintaining ROM in patients with injury without surgery, with very low-quality evidence. Results had shown that MI demonstrated significantly higher maintenance of strength and speed in patients undergoing surgery, with low-quality evidence. No significant results were found in ROM. Low-quality evidence showed better results in AO plus usual care compared with usual treatment in isolation with respect to maintenance of functional state and balance. CE training demonstrated maintenance of strength in patients undergoing surgery, with moderate evidence; however, not in healthy experimentally immobilized individuals. VMF did not show significant results in maintaining ROM after surgery without immobilization, nor did MI in maintaining strength after surgery and immobilization. CONCLUSIONS: MRT and CE training have been shown to have a significant impact on the improvement of various motor variables and on physical maintenance in general.