European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

Unveiling the benefits of stretch-shortening cycle exercise for children with obstetric brachial plexus injury: a clinical trial assessing muscle strength, bone mineral density, and functional capacity
Elnaggar RK, Radwan NL, Alhowimel AS, Elbanna MF, Aboeleneen AM, Abdrabo MS, Qissi FA and Morsy WE
Obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) is associated with several temporary or permanent impairments including muscle weakness/atrophy and retarded bone accrual, which negatively affect upper extremity functionality. Thus, to remedy these impairments, improved and unequivocally effective intervention strategies are required.
Addressing the gap: stroke-related sarcopenia in Brazil
Imamura M, Sanchez EF, Sigaki GT, Souza PT, Battistella LR and Özçakar L
Proposed categories for reporting of service organization in rehabilitation in clinical trials: a discussion paper
Røe C, Gutenbrunner C, Bökel A, Kirkevold M, Nugraha B, Andelic N, Lu J, Bautz-Holter E, Perrin PB, Anke A, Jahnsen R, Månum G, Howe E, Kildal Bragstad L and Soberg HL
The lack of standardized reporting for crucial organizational factors in rehabilitation poses a significant barrier to understanding their impact on patient outcomes in clinical trials and meta-analyses.
The role of single case experimental designs in evidence creation in rehabilitation
Machalicek W, Gross DP, Armijo-Olivo S, Ferriero G, Kiekens C, Martin R, Walshe M, Negrini S and
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard of evidence guiding intervention selection in rehabilitation. However, conduct of sufficiently powered RCTs in rehabilitation can be expensive, pose ethical and attrition concerns when participants are assigned to ineffective treatment as usual conditions, and are infeasible with low-incidence populations. Single-case experimental designs (SCEDs), including N-of-1 RCTs are causal inference studies for small numbers of participants and not necessarily one participant as the name implies. These designs are increasingly used to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions in diverse clinical settings and employ design features including but not limited to randomization and each participant serving as their own control. These and other internal validity enhancements can increase the confidence in study results coming from these designs. This manuscript discusses the expanded application of SCEDs in rehabilitation contexts to answer everyday clinical rehabilitation research questions with emphasis on strategies to use: 1) to maximize internal validity of this family of designs; 2) improve utility, effectiveness, and acceptability of these designs for rehabilitation end-users (clinicians, policymakers, and participants); 3) build evidence bases in areas of rehabilitation where RCTs are uncommonly used. Primary considerations for situating SCEDs within the continuum of experimental designs include increasing internal validity within designs, improving transparency in conduct and reporting of these studies, and increasing access to advanced research methods training for rehabilitation professionals.
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Sconza C, Palloni V, Lorusso D, Guido F, Farì G, Tognolo L, Lanza E and Brindisino F
Ultrasound-guided lavage (UGL) is a minimally invasive percutaneous treatment for rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy (RCCT). It involves the use of a syringe containing saline and/or anesthetic solution injected directly into the calcification allowing aspiration of the fragmented calcific material. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate if UGL is effective in improving pain, function, quality of life, range of motion (ROM), and in promoting complete resorption of calcifications in patients with RCCT.
Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone fractures: a systematic review update
Picelli A, DI Censo R, Tomasello S, Scaturro D, Letizia Mauro G, Smania N, Filippetti M and
Fractures are common bone injuries, which have a great burden on global health. Fracture healing is a long-term process that may be influenced by a number of factors. The 10-15% of all bone fractures may be complicated by an impaired healing (i.e. delayed union or non-union). The application of weak electromagnetic fields has been proposed to have different effects on bones such as enhancing proliferation - orientation - migration of osteoblast-like cells and supporting osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Despite the amount of evidence on cellular and histological effects, to date the application of pulsed electromagnetic fields has not achieved univocal consensus in daily practice. The purpose of this systematic review update is to research, select, analyze and summarize the most recent scientific evidence regarding the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of acute bone fractures.
Non-inferiority of hybrid outpatient telerehabilitation: 3-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial
Albers R, Lemke S, Fauser D, Knapp S, Krischak G and Bethge M
International studies identified comparable or better effects for telerehabilitation compared with face-to-face rehabilitation or no rehabilitation in people with back pain. In German rehabilitation centers, a standardized back school for patients with back pain is provided usually face-to-face as part of a multimodal rehabilitation program.
What can I do for my low back pain? The Work In Progress questionnaire!
Monticone M, Arippa F, Garri R, Pibiri A, Formentelli M and Rocca B
There is growing evidence on Commitment Therapy for people with low back pain (LBP). A self-reported questionnaire is lacking which evaluates commitment by relying on the most recommended actions, the most important core outcome domains, and the most evidenced treatment options.
A continuum of balance performance between children with developmental coordination disorder, spastic cerebral palsy, and typical development
Johnson C, Hallemans A, Meyns P, Velghe S, Jacobs N, Verbecque E and Klingels K
Balance deficits are one of the most common impairments in developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and cerebral palsy (CP), with shared characteristics between both groups. However, balance deficits in DCD are very heterogeneous, but unlike in CP, they are poorly understood.
Lower peak expiratory flow rate is associated with a higher risk of pneumonia in patients with stroke
Wu W, Lin J, Zhou X, Ye S, Shao M, Yu J, Zhou C and Li H
Low peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate is common in patients with stroke. Studies on changes in PEF rates in patients with stroke often have small sample sizes, limiting the generalizability of their findings.
Efficacy of virtual reality on balance impairment in ataxic cerebral palsy children: randomized controlled trial
Mouhamed HA, Abo-Zaid NA, Khalifa HA, Ali ME, Elserty NS, Behiry MA and Heneidy WE
Children with ataxic cerebral palsy have unsteady movements and poor balance. Many therapeutic interventions are used to improve their upper and lower functioning.
Navigating Rehabilitation: the General Index of Rehabilitation Knowledge developed by Cochrane rehabilitation through a global interprofessional Delphi process
Gimigliano F, Moretti A, Lazzarini SG, Pollet J, Arienti C, Ceravolo MG, Cordani C, Kiekens C and Negrini S
The effect of patients' socioeconomic status in rehabilitation centers on the efficiency and performance
Milcent C
Patients' socioeconomic status on hospitals' efficiency in controlling for clinical component characteristics may have a role that has few been studied in rehabilitation centers.
Behavior change theory and behavior change technique use in cancer rehabilitation interventions: a secondary analysis
Voss ML, Brick R, Padgett LS, Wechsler S, Joshi Y, Ammendolia Tomé G, Arbid S, Campbell G, Campbell KL, El Hassanieh D, Klein C, Lam A, Lyons KD, Sabir A, Sleight AG and Jones JM
There is limited evidence depicting ways that behavioral theory and techniques have been incorporated into cancer rehabilitation interventions. Examining their use within cancer rehabilitation interventions may provide insight into the active ingredients that can maximize patient engagement and intervention effectiveness.
The effect and mechanism of motor imagery based on action observation treatment on dysphagia in Wallenberg Syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Wang L, Li Y, Liu R, Li H, Wang L, Yuan Y, Li W, Song Y and Zeng X
The effect of motor imagery applied to dysphagia patients with Wallenberg syndrome has not yet been reported.
Clinical presentation of anterior pelvic tilt and trunk muscle endurance among patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: a cross-sectional study
González-DE-LA-Flor Á, García-Arrabé M, Fernández-Pardo T and Cotteret C
Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) significantly affects the physical function and quality of life of the young and middle-aged population. Pelvic tilt and trunk muscle endurance are physical features poorly studied in FAIS.
Digital technologies for pediatric rehabilitation: current access and use in the European Rehatech4child survey
Mensah-Gourmel J, Bekteshi S, Brochard S, Monbaliu E, Grigoriu AI, Newman CJ, Konings M, DE LA Cruz J and Pons C
Digital technologies such as robotics and treadmill-systems (RobTS), virtual-reality and active video-gaming (VR-AVG), and telehealth and apps (T&Apps) used within pediatric motor rehabilitation may promote recovery and improve function. However, digital technology uptake may be limited in clinical practice.
Unveiling the mosaic: comparing demographics and outcomes in traumatic vs. non-traumatic spinal cord injuries
Lena E, Timelli L, DI Fonzo S, Tonini A, Pisani V, Garcovich C, Covella E, Tamburella F and Scivoletto G
This study analyzed the percentage of patients with nontraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) which is increasing with the increase of population age. However, little is known about the effect of the etiology of SCI on the outcome of these subjects.
Development of core sets for deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: the perspectives of individuals with lived experience
Wittich W, Dumassais S, Prain M, Ogedengbe TO, Gravel C, Jaiswal A, Minhas R, Lopez R and Granberg S
The needs of people with deafblindness remain poorly understood and addressed globally. This study is part of a larger body of work to develop Core Sets for deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).
Long-term life expectancy in severe traumatic brain injury: a systematic review
DE Tanti A, Bruni S, Bonavita J, Zadra A, Ciavarella M, Cannavò G and Saviola D
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) pose significant challenges to public health, medicine, and society due to their substantial impact on victims, caregivers, and the community. While indicators like life expectancy or death rates provide insights into mortality and long-term outcomes, they fail to address how TBIs affect aging, neurological sequelae, cognitive impairment, and psychological or psychiatric disorders. Moreover, most studies are limited to North America, limiting the generalizability of findings across different social welfare systems. As a result, clinicians face difficulties in providing optimal care and prognosis, hindering the improvement of life quality for victims and caregivers and efficient public health service planning. This study aims to address these limitations by examining life expectancy, mortality rates, and long-term outcomes in severely injured individuals.
Physiotherapy intervention on monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a systematic review
Pinto M, Jacobsohn L, Florindo-Silva F and Costa E Silva L
Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis is the most common voiding disorder and is associated with a decrease in the well-being and quality of life. Physiotherapy intervention has emerged as a second line treatment, and the treatment strategies that have been most commonly used to treat children and adolescents with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis are electrostimulation, magnetotherapy, biofeedback, behavioral therapy and pelvic floor muscle training. Establishing the efficacy of these physiotherapy strategies in children and adolescents up to 16 years is the aim of this Systematic Review.