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Complementary Therapeutic Practices in Physiotherapy

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 14575

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
2. Uncertainty, Mindfulness, Self, Spirituality (UMSS) Research Group, University of Seville, 41004 Seville, Spain
Interests: new technologies in rehabilitation; neurological physiotherapy; oncology physiotherapy; electrotherapy

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Guest Editor
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Science, Ampliacion de Campus de Teatinos, University of Malaga, C/Arquitecto Francisco Peñalosa 3, 29071 Malaga, Spain
Interests: physiotherapy; telehealth and e-health; education innovation; bronchiectasis; multiple sclerosis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Complementary therapies can be defined as therapeutic practices used in addition to conventional treatments. Since the last years, physiotherapists have integrated these practices in their clinical setting. However, in some cases, further scientific evidence tends to be needed. Therefore, for the best evidence-based clinical practice, new complementary approaches need to be investigated. This Special Issue aims to give an overview of the most effective complementary therapies applied in the field of physiotherapy. It aims at providing rigorous peer-review papers that will help to advance the discipline. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: 

  • Acupunture
  • Dry needling;
  • Mind–body therapies;
  • Manual lymphatic drainage;
  • Myofascial release therapy;
  • Virtual reality;
  • New technology;
  • Pain/health education;
  • Imagery.

Dr. María Jesús Casuso-Holgado
Dr. Rocío Martín-Valero
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • complementary therapies
  • physiotherapy
  • mind-body therapies
  • virtual reality
  • new technology

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 922 KiB  
Article
Satisfaction Level and Performance of Physiotherapy Students in the Knowledge of Musculoskeletal Disorders through Nearpod: Preliminary Reports
by Maria Jesus Vinolo-Gil, Ismael García-Campanario, Carolina Lagares-Franco, Gloria Gonzalez-Medina, Manuel Rodríguez-Huguet and Francisco Javier Martín-Vega
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010099 - 21 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1595
Abstract
Physiotherapists are at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders. There is a need in academia to address workers’ health issues at the time of graduation. Nearpod is an educational application founded on a web-based learning tool. In the field of Health Sciences, the use [...] Read more.
Physiotherapists are at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders. There is a need in academia to address workers’ health issues at the time of graduation. Nearpod is an educational application founded on a web-based learning tool. In the field of Health Sciences, the use of Nearpod has been scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the level of satisfaction with using this interactive tool and to assess the influence of using Nearpod in class on students’ performance while dealing with the topic of musculoskeletal disorders in third-year Degree in Physiotherapy students during the 2021–2022 academic year. The participants were students at the University of Cadiz. They were randomly divided into two groups, a control group using a PowerPoint presentation and an experimental group using the interactive Nearpod application. The experimental group took two surveys to determine their satisfaction with the method used. Students also took a multiple-choice test to assess the knowledge acquired. In the surveys, a high percentage of satisfaction was obtained (97.62% and 99.39%). There were no significant differences in the scores obtained by the two groups, although there were significant differences in response time in favor of the experimental group (p = 0.022). Although studies should be carried out with larger samples and on different subjects, it seems that Nearpod is a tool with great potential for teaching the study of musculoskeletal disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complementary Therapeutic Practices in Physiotherapy)
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12 pages, 2139 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of an Inpatient Virtual Reality-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program among COVID-19 Patients on Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life: Preliminary Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial
by Sebastian Rutkowski, Katarzyna Bogacz, Oliver Czech, Anna Rutkowska and Jan Szczegielniak
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16980; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416980 - 17 Dec 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2567
Abstract
Forms of rehabilitation for patients after COVID-19 are gaining interest. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare an innovative in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation programs augmented with training elements performed in virtual reality. This randomized controlled study included 32 patients enrolled in [...] Read more.
Forms of rehabilitation for patients after COVID-19 are gaining interest. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare an innovative in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation programs augmented with training elements performed in virtual reality. This randomized controlled study included 32 patients enrolled in post-COVID-19 rehabilitation at a Public Hospital in Poland. The rehabilitation models included exercise capacity training on a cycle ergometer, breathing and general fitness workout, resistance training, and relaxation. The forms of training and relaxation differed between the groups: the experimental group employed virtual reality, and the control group used a traditional form of therapy. Exercise tolerance was assessed using a 6 min walk test (6 MWT), while psychological parameters were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the brief World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BRIEF). The analysis of the post-rehabilitation results showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups regarding depression (VR: 6.9 (3.9) vs. 4.7 (3.5), p = 0.008; CG: 7.64 (4.5) vs. 6.6 (4.8), p = 0.017) and anxiety (VR: 8.6 (4.6) vs. 5.6 (3.3), p < 0.001; CG: 9.57 (6.0) vs. 8 (4.8), p = 0.003). No statistically significant improvements in quality of life were noted in both groups. Moreover, the analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in the exercise capacity in both groups after completion of the rehabilitation program, expressed as a distance in the 6 MWT, as well as a statistically significant improvement in dyspnea in the VR group. To conclude, the analysis of the preliminary data revealed that a 3-week hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for COVID-19 patients led to an improvement in exercise tolerance as well as a reduction in the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The virtual reality-based form of training delivery, despite its attractiveness, did not significantly affect patients’ performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complementary Therapeutic Practices in Physiotherapy)
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11 pages, 1177 KiB  
Article
Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Myofascial Adhesions for Patients after Breast Cancer (MAP-BC) Evaluation Tool: Spanish Version
by María Jesús Casuso-Holgado, Beatriz Ostos-Díaz and María Jesús Muñoz-Fernández
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4337; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074337 - 4 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1426
Abstract
(1) Background: The Myofascial Adhesions for Patients after Breast Cancer (MAP-BC) evaluation tool is a quantitative measure for the evaluation of tissue adhesions in breast cancer patients. The aims of this study were to create a Spanish version of the MAP-BC and to [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The Myofascial Adhesions for Patients after Breast Cancer (MAP-BC) evaluation tool is a quantitative measure for the evaluation of tissue adhesions in breast cancer patients. The aims of this study were to create a Spanish version of the MAP-BC and to test its convergent validity and responsiveness. (2) Methods: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation were performed in five phases according to international guidelines. For the analysis of the convergent validity and responsiveness, a sample of 77 patients after breast cancer surgery were analysed at two timepoints (T1: immediately after the stitches were taken out; T2: one month after surgery). The COSMIN (Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments) guidelines and checklist were used to verify the whole adaptation and validation process. (3) Results: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the original English version resulted in an easily understandable Spanish version of the tool. A moderate convergent validity (r = 0.438) with the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment (POSAS) at T1 and a strong correlation at T2 (r = 0.816) were observed. A moderate standardised response mean (0.45) and effect size (0.63) were also observed. (4) Conclusions: The MAP-BC Spanish version is a useful tool that could be incorporated into the evaluation of scars and surrounding tissues in breast cancer patients. It has shown a moderate convergent validity and responsiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complementary Therapeutic Practices in Physiotherapy)
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Review

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23 pages, 1610 KiB  
Review
The Effects of Mind–Body Exercises on Chronic Spinal Pain Outcomes: A Synthesis Based on 72 Meta-Analyses
by Javier Martinez-Calderon, Maria de-la-Casa-Almeida and Javier Matias-Soto
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12062; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912062 - 23 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
An umbrella review of systematic reviews with a meta-analysis was developed to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of qigong, tai chi, and yoga in chronic spinal pain outcomes. The CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed and SPORTDiscus databases were searched. Pain, psychological [...] Read more.
An umbrella review of systematic reviews with a meta-analysis was developed to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of qigong, tai chi, and yoga in chronic spinal pain outcomes. The CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed and SPORTDiscus databases were searched. Pain, psychological factors, and quality of life (QOL) were the outcomes of interest. The methodological quality of the reviews was evaluated using the AMSTAR-2 tool. The overlap was calculated using the corrected covered area. A total of 72 meta-analyses drawn from 20 systematic reviews were included and often were rated at a critically low quality. The effects of qigong on chronic low back and neck pain (CLBP and CNP, respectively) were inconsistent, although it improved the physical component of QOL after 12 weeks for CNP. Tai chi was superior to the controls in reducing CLBP; no reviews of interest were found on CNP. Yoga was superior to multiple controls in reducing CLBP, but no relevant effects on depression or QOL were found. QOL, anxiety, depression, and general mood improved with yoga for CNP. Inconsistencies arose related to yoga and CNP. Our findings mainly supported the potential effects of yoga and tai chi on pain-related outcomes, psychological factors, and QOL in populations with CLBP and NP. Clinical and methodological considerations were discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complementary Therapeutic Practices in Physiotherapy)
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15 pages, 2754 KiB  
Review
Dry Needling Alone or in Combination with Exercise Therapy versus Other Interventions for Reducing Pain and Disability in Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Gonzalo Para-García, Ana María García-Muñoz, José Francisco López-Gil, Juan Diego Ruiz-Cárdenas, Ana Isabel García-Guillén, Francisco Javier López-Román, Silvia Pérez-Piñero, María Salud Abellán-Ruiz, Fernando Cánovas and Desirée Victoria-Montesinos
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10961; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710961 - 2 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3175
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of dry needling alone or in combination with exercise therapy for reducing pain and disability in people with subacromial pain syndrome. Systematic searches of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were performed in five different databases. A [...] Read more.
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of dry needling alone or in combination with exercise therapy for reducing pain and disability in people with subacromial pain syndrome. Systematic searches of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were performed in five different databases. A meta-analysis was carried out with the data obtained, and the risk of bias and quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 and GRADE tools. Finally, five RCTs (n = 315) were included in the meta-analysis and qualitative analysis. Our results determine that dry needling alone or combined with exercise therapy showed improvements in pain in the short-term (5RCTs: SMD: −0.27; [−0.49, −0.05]; low-quality) and mid-term (4RCTs: SMD: −0.27; [−0.51, −0.04]; low-quality) compared to a range of interventions. However, no differences were shown for disability at short-term (3 RCTs: SMD: −0.97; [−2.04, 0.11]; very-low quality) and mid-term (3 RCTs: SMD: −0.85; [−1.74, 0.04]; very-low quality). Dry needling alone or in combination with exercise therapy may result in a slight reduction in pain in the short-term and mid-term. However, the evidence about the effect of this therapy on disability in the short- or mid-term is very uncertain compared to the range of interventions analyzed in this systematic review (Registration: INPLASY202260112). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complementary Therapeutic Practices in Physiotherapy)
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Other

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13 pages, 1021 KiB  
Systematic Review
Prenatal Yoga-Based Interventions May Improve Mental Health during Pregnancy: An Overview of Systematic Reviews with Meta-Analysis
by Olga Villar-Alises, Patricia Martinez-Miranda and Javier Martinez-Calderon
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1556; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021556 - 14 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2783
Abstract
An overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis was developed to summarize evidence on the effectiveness of prenatal yoga-based interventions on pain, psychological symptoms, and quality of life during pregnancy. CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus (via EBSCOhost), and the Cochrane Library were searched [...] Read more.
An overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis was developed to summarize evidence on the effectiveness of prenatal yoga-based interventions on pain, psychological symptoms, and quality of life during pregnancy. CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus (via EBSCOhost), and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 15 December 2022. The intervention of interest was any prenatal yoga-based intervention. Pain, psychological symptoms, and quality of life were considered as outcome measures. The methodological quality of systematic reviews was judged using AMSTAR 2. The primary study overlap among systematic reviews was evaluated, building a citation matrix and calculating the corrected covered area (CCA). A total of ten systematic reviews, including fifteen meta-analyses of interest and comprising 32 distinct primary clinical trials, were included. Meta-analyses on pain and quality of life were not found. Most meta-analyses (93%) showed that prenatal yoga-based interventions are more effective than control interventions in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms. However, the overall methodological quality of systematic reviews was judged as critically low, and primary study overlap among systematic reviews was very high (CCA = 16%). Altogether, prenatal yoga-based interventions could improve the mental health of pregnant women, although due to the important methodological flaws that were detected, future systematic reviews should improve their methodological quality before drawing firm conclusions on this topic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complementary Therapeutic Practices in Physiotherapy)
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