Efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy, compared to corticosteroid injections, on pain, plantar fascia thickness and foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock waves versus corticosteroids injections on pain, thickness of plantar fascia and foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis. Secondarily, to assess the efficacy of radial and focused extracorporeal shock waves and the most appropriated intensity (high, medium or low). DATA SOURCES: PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL and PEDro, until April 2024, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. REVIEW METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of extracorporeal shock waves versus corticosteroids injections on pain intensity and sensitivity, thickness of plantar fascia and foot function in patients with plantar fasciitis. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using PEDro Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Pooled effect was calculated using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: Sixteen studies involving 1121 patients, showing a mean of 6 points in PEDro scale, were included. At three months, extracorporeal shock waves were better than corticosteroids injections in reducing pain (SMD -0.6; 95%CI -1.1 to -0.11) and thickness of the plantar fascia (SMD -0.4; 95%CI -0.8 to -0.01) and increasing foot function (SMD 0.27; 95%CI 0.12-0.44). At six months, extracorporeal shock waves are more effective in reducing pain (SMD -0.81; 95%CI -1.6 to -0.06) and increasing foot function (SMD 0.67; 95%CI 0.45-0.89). Local pain and slight erythema were the most frequent adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock waves are a safe therapy, presenting more efficacy than corticosteroids injections in improving pain, thickness of plantar fascia and foot function at mid-term.

Optokinetic stimulation for the treatment of vestibular and balance disorders: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effectiveness of optokinetic stimulation (OKS) for improving symptoms and function in patients with vestibular and balance disorders. METHODS: PubMed (MEDLINE), SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), CINAHL Complete, and PEDro databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included patients with vestibular and balance disorders and compared the effects of OKS versus other interventions or no intervention on subjective or objective functional outcomes. Data were analysed by the standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies were selected including 468 patients, 177 of whom received OKS. There were no significant differences in scores on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) (SMD = 0.02; 95% CI - 0.18 to 0.23; p = 0.83) or the visual analogue scale (VAS) for vertigo (SMD = 0.16; 95% CI - 1.25 to 1.58; p = 0.82). However, there were statistically significant differences in the timed up and go (TUG) test, with a large effect (SMD = - 1.13; 95% CI -2 to - 0.28; p = 0.009), and in the sensory organization test (SOT), with a medium effect (SMD = - 0.7; 95% CI - 1.21 to - 0.19; p = 0.007). Subgroup analysis showed significant effects of OKS on VAS (p = 0.017), TUG (p = 0.009) and SOT (p = 0.001) only in patients with balance disorders without vestibular disease (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OKS may improve dizziness intensity measured with VAS or dynamic balance measured whit TUG and SOT in patients with balance disorders not due to vestibular disease. The quality of the evidence was low or very low due to the small number of included studies. PROSPERO REGISTRY NUMBER: CRD42023445024.

Agro-physiological and soil microbial responses to desalinated seawater irrigation in two crops.

Irrigation with desalinated seawater (DSW) is a potential solution for addressing water scarcity in semiarid regions across the globe. However, this strategy may compromise the health of agricultural ecosystems due to the high content of phytotoxic elements (mainly boron, B) in this water. Here, a three-year experiment was carried to evaluate the response of the soil's physicochemical and microbiological properties, and plant physiology, to three irrigation water treatments (DSW; fresh water, FW; and their blend (1:1), BW) in the presence or not of organic amendments. Lemon trees (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fil. cv. Eureka), with a higher sensitivity to B toxicity, and apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. 'Búlida'), with a lower one, were used as model plants. Lemon trees irrigated with BW and DSW showed a decline in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, and an accumulation of B in leaves that exceeded the toxicity threshold. These effects were stronger in amended soils. In soils cultivated with lemon trees, DSW irrigation increased the water-soluble nitrogen content, the urease activity, and the activity and biomass of the microbial community, and shifted the microbial community structure as compared with the other water treatments. The soil microbial community responses were controlled by the addition of organic amendments. The irrigation of apricots with DSW did not negatively impact plant physiological parameters but increased the soil microbial biomass, as in the case of the lemon tree-soil system. These results suggest that DSW irrigation increases soil microbial biomass in both crop-soil systems but harms the physiological status of the most sensitive crop. Our findings provide an initial approach to evaluate the response of the plant-soil system to DSW.

Validity and reliability of the Niigata PPPD Questionnaire in a Western population.

PURPOSE: To analyze the psychometric properties of the Niigata Questionnaire (NPQ) for use in a European population with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD). METHODS: Observational study included 140 patients with different vestibular conditions. Construct validity, internal consistency and concurrent validity were analyzed. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test diagnostic values. RESULTS: Of the 140 patients, 47 had a diagnosis of PPPD. Factorial analysis showed a single-factor structure and concurrent validity analysis showed strong correlations with other instruments. Cronbach alpha coefficients of 0.938 for the total score, 0.869 for the standing and gait subscale, 0.803 for the subscale of movements and 0.852 for the visual stimulation subscale were obtained. The reproducibility was substantial except for the standing subscale, which could be considered moderate. For the standing, movement and visual stimulation subscales and for the total score, the SEM was 3.27, 2.41, 2.50 and 6.63, respectively, and the MDC was 6.40, 4.72, 4.91 and 12.99, respectively. The NPQ total score showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.661, a sensitivity of 72.34 and a specificity of 55.91 for discriminating between PPPD and other vestibular disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The NPQ is feasible for use in a Western population and presents a uni-factorial structure, high internal consistency and strong correlation with other instruments. The reliability can be considered substantial. The NPQ has low accuracy in discriminating between subjects with or without PPPD.

Priming effects in soils across Europe.

Land use is a key factor driving changes in soil carbon (C) cycle and contents worldwide. The priming effect (PE)-CO2 emissions from changed soil organic matter decomposition in response to fresh C inputs-is one of the most unpredictable phenomena associated with C cycling and related nutrient mobilization. Yet, we know very little about the influence of land use on soil PE across contrasting environments. Here, we conducted a continental-scale study to (i) determine the PE induced by 13 C-glucose additions to 126 cropland and seminatural (forests and grasslands) soils from 22 European countries; (ii) compare PE magnitude in soils under various crop types (i.e., cereals, nonpermanent industrial crops, and orchards); and (iii) model the environmental factors influencing PE. On average, PEs were negative in seminatural (with values ranging between -60 and 26 µg C g-1 soil after 35 days of incubation; median = -11) and cropland (from -55 to 27 µC g-1 soil; median = -4.3) soils, meaning that microbial communities preferentially switched from soil organic C decomposition to glucose mineralization. PE was significantly less negative in croplands compared with seminatural ecosystems and not influenced by the crop type. PE was driven by soil basal respiration (reflecting microbial activity), microbial biomass C, and soil organic C, which were all higher in seminatural ecosystems compared with croplands. This cross European experimental and modeling study elucidated that PE intensity is dependent on land use and allowed to clarify the factors regulating this important C cycling process.

Manual Therapy Approach to the Extraocular Muscles in Migraine Treatment: A Preliminary Study.

The oculomotor system plays an important role in the development of migraines. This is an observational study that aims to investigate the rehabilitative efficacy of muscle energy therapy (MET) in reducing migraine symptoms. MET was based on post-isometric relaxation and reciprocal inhibition, targeting the extraocular muscles. Patients diagnosed with chronic migraines and positive results in the Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement Test were enrolled in the study. The effects of treatment were assessed using the following questionnaires: Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and the neck range of motion (ROM). Additionally, rheological parameters of neck muscles were assessed. We reported beneficial effects of MET on the amelioration of the frequency of headaches, neck pain and dizziness-related disabilities and disordered sleep. However, benefits concerning the neck motion and rheological properties of oculomotor structures were unconvincing. In conclusion, the study showed advantageous effects of manual oculomotor therapy consisting of reductions in migraine-related painful symptomatology. The results diminish the role of ocular muscle mechanical properties in the genesis of migraine, shifting attention to the modulatory role of the neuromuscular ocular component, likely involving trigeminal innervation, which can be subject to migraine manual therapy.

Effects of Non-Invasive Radiofrequency Diathermy in Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Background and Objectives: In recent years, the use of radiofrequency diathermy in pelvic floor disorders has grown proportionally to the interest in this specialty. Despite the common use of this therapy among pelvic floor physiotherapists, little is known about its effects and effectiveness in pelvic floor disorders. For this reason, the aim of the present review is to assess the effects of non-invasive 300 kHz-1 MHz radiofrequency diathermy in the treatment of pelvic floor disorders. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, searching for any type of study that included pelvic floor disorder participants and an experimental group treated with non-invasive nor ablative radiofrequency diathermy. Results: There were a total of 578 studies after removing duplicates. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in a total of 15 studies, which were methodologically assessed with PEDro and the Newcastle and Ottawa scale. Conclusions: Despite the low quality of most of them, the studies showed improvements in urinary incontinence, pelvic pain conditions, pelvic floor muscles strength and sexual function. These findings must be considered with caution until more randomized clinical trials are performed to solve the biases detected.

Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome with Dielectric Radiofrequency Diathermy: A Preliminary Single-Group Study with Six-Month Follow-Up.

Background and Objectives: Notwithstanding patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) being one of the most common causes of pain in the front of the knee in outpatients, few studies have shown the effects of radiofrequency on knee pain and function in this population. The aim of the present study was to determine whether outpatients diagnosed with PFPS obtained improvement in pain and function after treatment by dynamic application of monopolar dielectric diathermy by emission of radiofrequency (MDR). Materials and Methods: An experimental study was conducted with 27 subjects with PFPS. Subjects were treated with 10 sessions of MDR in dynamic application. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the Kujala scale, the DN4 questionnaire, the lower extremity function scale (LEFS), the range of movement (ROM) in knee flexion and extension and the daily drug intake were measured pre- and post-intervention and at the time of the follow-up (six months). Results: Statistically significant differences were found in pain perception (VAS: F1,26 = 92.43, p < 0.000, ŋ2 = 0.78 and DN4: F1.26 = 124.15, p < 0.000, ŋ2 = 0.82), as well as improvements in functionality (LEFS: F1.26 = 72.42, p < 0.000, ŋ2 = 0.74 and Kujala: F1.26 = 40.37, p < 0.000, ŋ2 = 0.61]) and in ROM (Flexion: F1.26 = 63.15, p < 0.000, ŋ2 = 0.71). No statistically significant changes in drug intake were found. Conclusions: The present study shows that the dynamic application of MDR seems effective in reducing pain and increasing functionality and knee flexion in patients with PFPS, after a follow-up of six months.

Efficacy of monopolar dielectric transmission radio frequency in panniculus adiposus and cellulite reduction.

INTRODUCTION: Despite high incidence rate of cellulite, there are few studies regarding its treatment. Most of them present non-validated evaluation tools. Radio frequency is a focused treatment very used in aesthetics to reduce it. OBJECTIVES: To know the efficacy of Monopolar Dielectric Radio frequency (MDR) treatment in dynamic applications to reduce cellulite, panniculus adiposus and gluteal and posterior thigh regions. METHODS: Experimental study consisting of inferior members of nine women. They received 10 sessions based on dynamic applications of MDR. Variables included the following: Cellulite Severity Scale (CSS), appearance of the cutaneous area, flaccidity and ultrasound measurement of the panniculus adiposus. RESULTS: The final CSS score of the leg treated reflects statistically significative differences (p = 0.023) when compared with control leg (p = 0.622). Significant reductions of body perimeters at the level of the great trochanter (p = 0.02), the gluteal region (p = 0.03) and the midpoint of the posterior thigh (p = 0.01) are found. The reduction of the panniculus adiposus measured using ultrasound techniques shows significant changes in the midpoint of the posterior thigh (p = 0.028) as well as in the gluteal region (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic application of MDR seems to be effective in order to reduce not only the thickness of panniculus adiposus but also gluteal and posterior thigh perimeters.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy on Balance and Gait in the Elderly: A Systematic Review.

Virtual reality (VR) therapies are presently utilized to treat physical and cognitive impairments among elderly people. This systematic review aims to collect the most recent evidence on the effectiveness of VR in improving balance and gait among healthy elderly individuals, in comparison with other therapies. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, and WoS databases, by selecting randomized clinical trials that evaluated balance, both static and dynamic, as well as gait in a population of healthy older adults who underwent virtual reality therapy. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. After eligibility criteria were applied and duplicates were removed, 20 studies were selected out of 1705 initially identified. The present systematic review concludes that virtual reality therapy is more effective than minimal intervention or usual care in enhancing static balance, dynamic balance, and gait in healthy elderly individuals. Moreover, virtual reality therapy yields better outcomes compared to traditional balance training and physical exercise in improving balance and gait in this demographic. However, both methods have shown effectiveness.

Effectiveness of a specific strength program of the gluteus maximus muscle to improve dynamic postural control in female basketball players. A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Basketball is a team sport in which players perform multidirectional movements, jumps and landings, experiencing abrupt accelerations and decelerations and numerous changes of rhythm. In this sport, speed and intensity are two key factors that are associated with an increased risk of injury. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effectiveness of a specific gluteus maximus strength programme as preventive work for young female basketball players, to improve dynamic postural stability and to observe its impact in the rate of lower limb injuries, vertical jump, dynamic knee valgus and pain. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is effective a strength programme to improve dynamic postural stability, vertical jump and dynamic valgus in female basketball players? METHODS: A hundred and thirteen female basketball players that play in professional clubs were recruited, reaching the final stage 92 (46 per group). One group (CG) received conventional injury prevention training while the experimental group (EG) added to the conventional team prevention program, a gluteus maximus strength programme of 5 months composed of 4 exercises/2 days per week/2 sets of 10 repetitions per leg. RESULTS: The total injury incidence decreased from 0.33 to 0.16 cases (control group pre=0.43 to post=0.14 cases, EG pre=022 to post=0.19). The EG improved overall (p = 0.000), posterior (p = 0.001), posteromedial (p = 0.001) and posterolateral (p = 0.000) dynamic stability of the right leg; anterior (p = 0.024), medial (p = 0.07) and posteromedial (p = 0.01) of the left leg. Both groups improved vertical jump (GC: p = 0.045 and GE: p = 0.000). There was no significant improvement in pain or valgus. SIGNIFICANCE: This strength programme is effective in improving dynamic stability especially of the dominant leg and jump height.

Effects of High-Velocity Spinal Manipulation on Quality of Life, Pain and Spinal Curvature in Children with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Scoliosis is a condition that involves deformation of the spine in the coronal plane and commonly appears in childhood or adolescence, significantly limiting a person's life. The cause is multifactorial, and treatment aims to improve the spinal curvature, prevent major pathologies, and enhance aesthetics. The objective of this review was to determine whether high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation is more effective than other treatments for children with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and PEDro databases were searched for both clinical trials and cohort studies. Methodological quality was assessed via the PEDro scale (for clinical trials) and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (for observational studies). The protocol of this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024532442). RESULTS: Five studies were selected for review. The results indicated moderate improvements in pain and the Cobb angle and limited improvements in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: HVLA spinal manipulation does not seem to have significant effects on reducing spinal deformity in IS patients, nor does it significantly impact quality of life. However, this therapy may have significant effects on reducing pain in these patients.

Non-Invasive Radiofrequency Diathermy Neuromodulation Added to Supervised Therapeutic Exercise in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Single Blind Randomized Controlled Trial with Six Months of Follow-Up.

The evidence-based treatment of patellofemoral pain (PFP) suggests that therapeutic exercise (TE) focused on improving muscle strength and motor control be the main conservative treatment. Recent research determined that the success of the TE approach gets improved in the short term by the addition of neuromodulation via radiofrequency diathermy (RFD). As there is no follow up data, the objective of this research is to assess the long-term effects of adding RFD to TE for the pain, function and quality of life of PFP patients. To this aim, a single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 86 participants diagnosed of PFP. Participants who met the selection criteria were randomized and allocated into either a TE group or an RFD + TE group. TE consisted of a 20 min daily supervised exercise protocol for knee and hip muscle strengthening, while RFD consisted of the application of neuromodulation using a radiofrequency on the knee across 10 sessions. Sociodemographic data, knee pain and lower limb function outcomes were collected. The RFD + TE group obtained greater improvements in knee pain (p < 0.001) than the TE group. Knee function showed statistically significant improvements in Kujala (p < 0.05) and LEFS (p < 0.001) in the RFD + TE group in the short and long term. In conclusion, the addition of RFD to TE increases the beneficial effects of TE alone on PFP, effects that remain six months after treatment.

Idiopathic scoliosis in subjects with eye diseases: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Our aim was to find the best evidence on the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) in subjects with eye diseases (EDs) and to determine the most common visual alterations that are present. Following the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), a bibliographic search up to June 2023 in the PubMed, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, and CINAHL Complete databases was performed. Observational studies were selected and the results were analyzed with prevalence odds ratio (OR). A total of six studies, including 18,396 subjects, were selected. The group of subjects with EDs was made up of 6048 individuals, of whom 655 (10.83%) had IS. The group of subjects without EDs was made up of 12,348 individuals of whom 444 (3.60%) presented with IS with an OR = 2.91, CI (95%) = [1.75, 4.83]. Blindness was assessed in a single study with an OR = 7.83, CI (95%) = [1.66, 36.90]; all three studies in the refractive error subgroup yielded an OR = 2.24, CI (95%) = [1.10, 4.58]; and the two studies that included subjects with strabismus showed an OR = 3.09, CI (95%) = [1.38, 7.00]. EDs were associated with an almost three times greater odds of having IS. We recommend the inclusion of vision testing in children with IS.

Relationship between stomatognathic alterations and idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies.

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review was to assess a possible relationship between stomatognathic alterations and idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Design: This study is a systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies. Methods: The protocol of this systematic review with meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022370593). A bibliographic search was carried out in the Pubmed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL databases using the MeSH terms 'Scoliosis' and 'Stomatognathic Disease'. The odds ratio (OR) of prevalence and standardized mean difference (SMD) were used to synthesize the results. Results: Of 1592 studies located, 14 studies were selected with 3018 subjects (age: 13.9 years). IS was related to Angle's class II (OR = 2.052, 95% CI = 1.236-3.406) and crossbite (OR = 2.234, 95% CI = 1.639-3.045). Patients with malocclusion showed a higher prevalence of IS than controls (OR = 4.633, 95% CI = 1.467-14.628), and subjects with IS showed high overjet (SMD = 0.405, 95% CI = 0.149-0.661) and greater dysfunction due to temporomandibular disorders (SMD = 1.153, 95% CI = 0.780-1.527). Conclusion: Compared with healthy controls, subjects with IS have twice the risk of suffering from occlusion disorders, present greater temporomandibular dysfunction and have a greater overjet in the incisors. Moreover, subjects with malocclusion have an IS prevalence up to four times higher. The systematic orofacial examination of patients with IS should be recommended.

Transcultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Spanish Version of the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the main musculoskeletal pain conditions, and it affects 23-28% of the global population. Strong evidence supports the absence of a direct relationship between the intensity of pain and tissue damage, with psychosocial factors also playing a crucial role. In this context, the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT) is a useful tool for evaluating physiotherapists' treatment orientations and beliefs regarding the management of low back pain (LBP). It helps identify practitioners who may benefit from additional education in modern pain neuroscience. However, there is not a Spanish validation of this scale for physiotherapists. Thus, the aims of this study were to translate and culturally adapt the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT) into Spanish and to evaluate its psychometric properties. This validation study used three convenience samples of physiotherapists (PTs) (n = 22 for the pilot study, n = 529 for the validity study and n = 53 for assessing the instrument's responsiveness). The process of translating and adapting the PABS-PT into Spanish followed international guidelines and produced a satisfactory pre-final version of the questionnaire. Factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of the original version, with the biomedical (BM) factor explaining 39.4% of the variance and the biopsychosocial (BPS) factor explaining 13.8% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha values were excellent for the BM factor (0.86) and good for the BPS factor (0.77), indicating good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was excellent for both factors, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.84 for BM and 0.82 for BPS. The standard error of measurement (SEM) was acceptable for both factors (3.9 points for BM and 2.4 points for BPS). Concurrent validity was moderate and in the expected direction and had significant correlations with the Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS) and Revised Neurophysiology Pain Questionnaire (R-NPQ). Sensitivity to change was demonstrated by significant improvements in both factors after an educational intervention, with medium-to-large effect sizes. The PABS-PT also showed good discriminative ability, as it was able to distinguish between physiotherapists with and without pain education. Cut-off values for the BM and BPS factors were determined. In conclusion, the translated and adapted Spanish version of the PABS-PT demonstrated good psychometric properties and can be reliably used to assess the attitudes and beliefs of Spanish-speaking physiotherapists regarding LBP. The questionnaire is recommended for use in clinical and educational research in the Spanish language context.

Does Inspiratory Muscle Training Affect Static Balance in Soccer Players? A Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is effective in improving postural stability and balance in different clinical populations. However, there is no evidence of these effects in soccer players. A single-blind, two-arm (1:1), randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study on 14 soccer players was performed with the main aim of assessing the effect of IMT on static balance, and secondarily, of examining changes in the respiratory muscle function. The experimental group (EG) received an IMT program with progressive intensity, from 20% to 80%, of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). The sham group (SG) performed the same program with a fixed load of 20% of the MIP. Static balance and respiratory muscle function variables were assessed. A two-factor analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to assess differences after training. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Significant increases were observed in the EG on length of sway under eyes open (from 2904.8 ± 640.0 to 3522.4 ± 509.0 mm, p = 0.012) and eyes closed (from 3166.2 ± 641.3 to 4173.3 ± 390.8 mm, p = 0.004). A significant increase in the maximal voluntary ventilation was observed for both groups (EG p = 0.005; SG p = 0.000). No significant differences existed between the groups. IMT did not improve the static balance in a sample of soccer players. Conducting a high-scale study is feasible and could refine the results and conclusions stemming from the current pilot study.

Psychometric Properties of the Short Version of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale in Vestibular Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale Short Version (ABC-6) in vestibular patients. METHODS: The sample consisted of 87 subjects aged over 18 years with vestibular pathology. Construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and capacity to discriminate between subjects with or without risk of falling as measured with the ABC-16 standard version were analyzed. RESULTS: The ABC-6 showed a unifactorial structure. Cronbach's alpha was 0.873. The reliability was moderate for each of the items and substantial for the total score (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.778). The standard error of measurement was 10.24, with a minimum detectable change of 20.07. The ABC-6 version showed a strong correlation with physical and functional measures, moderate correlation with emotional measures, and poor correlation with the Physical Component Summary of SF-12 and retrospective 12-month falls. A cutoff point ≤55 showed a sensitivity = 94.44% and a specificity = 92.75% in differentiating between patients with or without risk of falling measured with the ABC-16 standard version, with an area under the curve = 0.975. CONCLUSIONS: The ABC-6 showed acceptable psychometric properties for measuring balance confidence and risk of falling in vestibular patients.

Effects of Radiofrequency Diathermy Plus Therapeutic Exercises on Pain and Functionality of Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Although consensus has been reached about the use of therapeutic exercise in patellofemoral pain syndrome, several techniques used worldwide such as radiofrequency diathermy could be useful as complementary therapy. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of adding radiofrequency diathermy to therapeutic exercises in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Fifty-six participants were randomly assigned either to radiofrequency diathermy plus therapeutic exercises group (n = 29) or therapeutic exercises group (n = 27). Both groups received the same therapeutic exercises, and the diathermy group additionally received monopolar dielectric diathermy for three weeks (5-3-2 weekly sessions). Data related to intensity of pain, probability of neuropathic pain, functionality, and range of movement of the knee were measured at baseline and three weeks after the intervention. Comparing pre-treatment and values obtained at the third week, significant improvements were found in intensity of pain, neuropathic pain, functionality, and range of motion in both groups (p < 0.05). The diathermy plus exercises group had significantly better intensity of pain than the control group at the end of the three weeks (p < 0.01). The addition of diathermy by emission of radiofrequency to the therapeutic knee exercise protocol is more effective than a therapeutic exercise protocol alone in the relief of intensity of pain in patients with patellofemoral pain in the immediate post-treatment follow-up compared with baseline scores.

In non-specific low back pain, is an exercise program carried out through telerehabilitation as effective as one carried out in a physiotherapy center? A controlled randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: s:The effectiveness of telerehabilitation (TLRH) in patients with non-specific low back pain (NLBP) remains unknown. No study till date has investigated the efficacy of a mobile-based TLRH in patients with NLBP. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if a TLRH program is as effective as a clinical exercise programme in improving disability, pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and hip pain and strength in patients with NLBP. DESIGN: Single-blind, two-armed, randomized controlled study. METHOD: A total of 71 individuals with NLBP were randomly allocated to either the TLRH home group (TLRH) or clinic group (CG). The TLRH followed exercise videos and read information on pain neurophysiology. The CG performed the same exercises and received on-site pain education. Both groups performed the exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks. Disability, pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and hip pain and strength were assessed at baseline, at post-treatment, and at three months. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences for time-by-group interaction were detected in the strength of left hip flexors (supine [F = 8.356; p = .005]; sitting [F = 9.828; p = .003]), right hip extensors with extended knee [F = 7.461; p = .008], left hip extensors (extended knee [F = 13.175; p = .001]; flexed knee [F = 13.505; p < .001]), pain during flexion of the right [F = 5.133; p = .027] and left [F = 4.731; p = .033] hips in the supine position, disability [F = 4.557; p = .014], and pain catastrophizing [F = 14.132; p < .001]. CONCLUSION: A TLRH mobile-based is as effective as clinical treatment in improving disability, pain catastrophizing, and pain and strength of the hip structures in patients with NLBP.