Innovative Diagnostics Tools in Physiotherapy: from the Laboratory to the Clinical Setting

Proper diagnosis in physical therapy is a challenging step before the application of any clinical procedure. The evidence-based physical therapy paradigm has established the patterns of a well-grounded practice, and the diagnosis and monitoring of the status and the evaluation of the patients are also submitted to the highest standardized rules.

Currently, the broad spectrum of pathologies and syndromes requiring physical therapy attention has been increased. Nevertheless, an adequate support of proper and valuable diagnostic procedures is not always available.

Recently, technological and non-technological tools have been developed with promising approaches in health care and, specifically, in physiotherapy. Some examples include movement analyses throughout portable or non-portable devices, such as inertial measurement units, cameras, or smartphones; and the evaluation of normal tissue mechanical properties determined by elastography, ultrasound, or myotonometry. Examples of non-technological tools include the identification of clinical features (clinical prediction rules) for anticipating the results of defined treatments; specific questionnaires designed to address pathological features of chronic pain syndromes; or patient classification systems for a better definition of the most disabling syndromes, such as low back pain or fibromyalgia.

In summary, this Special Issue targets any innovative solution for a better detection, quantification, or control of any relevant biopsychosocial dimensions for physical therapy in clinical setting application.

Prof. Francisco Alburquerque-Sendín
Prof. César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
Guest Editors

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