Spinal Orthosis in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Overview of the Braces Provided by the National Health Service in Italy.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a lateral, rotated curvature of the spine. It is a 3-dimensional deformity that arises in otherwise healthy children at or around puberty. AIS is the most common form of scoliosis in the pediatric population. The etiology is multifactorial, including genetic and environmental factors. The incidence is roughly equal between males and females, while there is a higher risk of progression in females. Guidelines for AIS treatment identify three levels of treatment: observation, physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercises, and braces. In this paper, we carried out a review of the scientific literature about the indication and success rates of the braces provided for free by the National Health Service in Italy (SSN). Despite a general consensus on the efficacy of rigid bracing treatment and its use in AIS, an important heterogeneity about the treatment is present in the scientific literature, demonstrating a high degree of variability. The overall success rate of the braces provided by the SSN is high, suggesting an important therapeutic role in the treatment of AIS. Robust guidelines are needed to ensure uniform and effective treatments.

Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Lavage and Biocompatible Electrical Neurostimulation, in Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy and Shoulder Pain, A Prospective Pilot Study.

Calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder (CTS) is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Conservative treatment is considered as the first therapeutic choice for CTS. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of US-guided needling (UGN) compared to UGN plus Biocompatible Electrical Neurostimulation (BEN) in the treatment of the CTS. Pilot, prospective, non-interventional, monocentric, and observational study of patients treated for calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy and shoulder pain. Patients' selection, enrollment and interventions were conducted at the Chiparo Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient facility. Forty adult patients (aged 40−60 years) with a diagnosis of CTS in the acute and colliquative phase were recruited and enrolled into the study. Participants were assessed for self-perceived pain through the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and for functional limitation through the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index score (SPADI) at baseline (T0), after 15 days (T1), and after 40 days (T2). As a possible confounding factor between the two treatments' response, the dimension of the tendon calcification was also assessed by US-examination. Through the study, both groups improved their perceived functional performance of the arm (p-value < 0.001). AT T1, the SPADI score decreased by half in both groups, and the improvement remained stable at T2. A multiplicative effect (Time × Treatment) was demonstrated (p-value < 0.001). An improvement in the NRS score was measured at T1, and it remained stable at T2, a multiplicative effect was also reported (p-value < 0.001). The main results of this pilot study provide evidence that UGN plus BEN increases functional performance and reduces shoulder pain in individuals with CTS. Moreover, the tendon calcification dimension at the baseline and the percentage of drainage of the lesion were associated with a functional performance recovery and pain reduction detected after intervention.

An Observational Cross-Sectional Study of Gender and Disability as Determinants of Person-Centered Medicine in Botulinum Neurotoxin Treatment of Upper Motoneuron Syndrome.

The motor behaviour of patients with Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome (UMNS) is characterised by spasticity. The first-line treatment for this clinical condition is Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNTA), but the number and key locations of muscles which need to be treated is not much discussed in the literature. Cross-sectional analysis of outpatient cohort with UMNS spasticity, who were potential candidates for BoNTA treatment, was performed. Between November 2020 and November 2021, all consecutive adult patients eligible for BoNTA treatment were enrolled. The inclusion criteria encompass UMNS spasticity (onset being ≥6 months), with disabling muscles hypertonia. Patients underwent a clinical evaluation, a comprehensive assessment with the Modified Ashworth Scale, with the Modified Rankin Scale, and a patients' perception-centred questionnaire. In total, 68 participants were enrolled in the study, among them 40 (58.8%) were male; mean age 57.9 ± 15.1. In women, BoNTA was more frequently required for adductor group muscles, independently from potential confounders (OR = 7.03, 95%CI: 1.90-25.97). According to the pattern of disability, patients with hemiparesis more frequently need to be treated in the upper limb, whereas the diplegia/double-hemiparesis group needed to be treated more frequently at the adductor and crux muscles compared to their counterparts. UMNS spasticity in women could require more attention to be paid to the treatment of adductor muscle spasticity, potentially because the dysfunction of those muscles could influence sphincteric management, required for perineal hygiene and/or sexual life.

Parentification, distress, and relationship with parents as factors shaping the relationship between adult siblings and their brother/sister with disabilities.

According to parentification theory, when the siblings of a brother/sister with disabilities assume parent-like duties, this role reversal is known as sibling-focused parentification. It has a significant impact on these siblings' distress and the quality of their family relationships; 605 Italian adult siblings (19-26 years) of people with disabilities completed the online survey. Measures of siblings' parentification, distress, quality of family relationships, social support, and perceived benefits of parentification were used. The hypothesized model aims to test, on the target sample, the distress and the quality of the relationship with parents as mediators on the interplay between the siblings' parentification and their sibling relationship. Additionally, social support and perceived benefits of parentification as protective factors were considered. Results showed that the distress and the low quality of the relationship with parents negatively affected the interplay between the siblings' parentification and the relationship with their own brother/sister with disabilities. Social support and the perceived benefits of parentification decreased the siblings' distress levels; the perceived benefits of parentification served as a protective factor for the quality of the relationship with parents. Current findings extend the knowledge regarding the risk and protective factors of the siblings' mental health when disability occurs in the family. Additionally, they inform family-based intervention programs, which should involve the whole family system for reducing distress and improving the wellbeing of siblings without disabilities.