Joint Manipulation for Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Pain Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 1852

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Interdisciplinary Research Group on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
2. Physiotherapy and Orofacial Pain Working Group, Sociedad Española de Disfunción Craneomandibular y Dolor Orofacial (SEDCYDO), 28009 Madrid, Spain
3. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
Interests: osteoarthritis; rehabilitation; dry needling; ultrasonography; pulmonary rehabilitation; therapeutic exercise
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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
Interests: physical therapy; spine; rehabilitation; pain management; manipulation; physical examination; posture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of rehabilitation, manual therapy and joint manipulation at varying grades are widely employed to address joint dysfunctions, such as restricted mobility, pain, and diminished function. Despite significant advances in research, the precise benefits of these techniques within clinical rehabilitation remain to be fully elucidated, particularly regarding their neurophysiological impact. This Special Issue invites submissions that provide scientific evidence and new insights into the role of manual therapy in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders.

We encourage researchers to submit original studies and reviews addressing topics such as:

  • Neurophysiological Effects of Manual Therapy: We invite investigations examining how manual therapy influences the central nervous system, including studies on autonomic markers like heart rate variability and other physiological indicators. This approach can deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of these interventions and their potential to modulate pain responses and other neurological processes. Additionally, original research or systematic reviews or meta-analyses that explore the effects of manipulation on joint structure and connective tissues are welcome, particularly for practitioners interested in understanding the mechanisms and efficacy behind higher-grade manipulations.
  • Impact of Audible Sounds on Clinical Success Perception: Both patients and practitioners hold expectations regarding the audible sounds accompanying joint manipulations, an area that still requires stronger empirical support. We seek studies that investigate the relationship between these audible cues and patient expectations, exploring how they influence perceptions of success and satisfaction with treatment.
  • Combined Rehabilitation Protocols: We welcome manuscripts that explore the effectiveness of protocols combining manual therapy with other interventions, such as exercise and trigger point therapy. This integrated approach aims to offer a more robust and comprehensive recovery, a fundamental area for developing effective, evidence-based treatment protocols.
  • Technological Validation and Precision in Force Application: We also invite studies that validate the use of technological tools to standardize and measure the consistency of applied forces during manipulations. This area of research is crucial for enhancing precision in clinical practice and achieving more predictable, uniform results.

This Special Issue aims to provide clinicians and researchers with evidence-based recommendations to guide the use of manual therapy in managing musculoskeletal disorders. We invite authors to contribute work that expands our knowledge of the current and future role of joint manipulation and supports a more effective, scientifically grounded rehabilitation process.

Dr. Eleuterio A. Sánchez Romero
Guest Editor

Dr. Rob Sillevis
Guest Editor Assistant

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Keywords

  • orthopedic manual therapy (OMT)
  • chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP)
  • joint manipulation
  • treatment outcomes
  • evidence-based intervention

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 3992 KiB  
Article
Do Audible Sounds During a Metacarpophalangeal and Metatarsophalangeal Thrust Manipulation Have an Impact on Intra-Articular Joint Space and Brainwave Activity?
by Rob Sillevis, Fransisco Selva-Sarzo, Valerie Weiss and Eleuterio A. Sanchez Romero
Healthcare 2025, 13(5), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13050554 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1686
Abstract
Background: Joint manipulation is commonly used to manage musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Joint manipulation can result in audible sounds. The clinical significance and cause of manipulation sound remain unclear. This study aimed to identify intra-articular distance following a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) II and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) II [...] Read more.
Background: Joint manipulation is commonly used to manage musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Joint manipulation can result in audible sounds. The clinical significance and cause of manipulation sound remain unclear. This study aimed to identify intra-articular distance following a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) II and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) II joint manipulation in healthy subjects. Additionally, the cortical response pattern was measured. Methods: Twenty-five subjects completed this quasi-experimental repeated-measures study protocol. Musculoskeletal ultrasound was used to measure intra-articular joint distance, and a portable EEG device captured brainwave activity. The environment was controlled during testing. Initially, the joint distance of the MCP II and MTP II was measured followed by the recording of initial brainwaves. Following a pre-manipulation hold, a second brainwave measure was taken. After this, each subject underwent a thrust manipulation of either MCP II or MTP II, immediately followed by the next brainwave measurement. One minute later, the final and fourth measurement took place. Results: All subjects regardless of audible sound increased in joint space following both the MCP and MTP joint manipulation. The audible group had more significant EEG changes (p < 0.05) following the MCP manipulation but less following the MTP manipulation. Conclusions: This study supports the tribonucleation theory explaining audible joint manipulation sounds. The manipulation of the MCP II joint resulted in increased Theta wave activity, indicating a state of relaxation, which was larger in the audible group. The MTP II manipulation had decreased cortical effects regardless of the presence of a sound. Despite these findings, the clinical usefulness of audible sounds remains questionable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Joint Manipulation for Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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