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Recent Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine—3rd Edition
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Recent Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine—3rd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Rehabilitation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 4020

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Masahiro Kohzuki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Sciences, Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Yamagata 990-2212, Japan
Interests: multimorbidity and multiple disabilities; cardiac and renal rehabilitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, titled “Recent Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine—3rd Edition”. For more details on the first and second volumes, in which we published more than 13 papers and 11 papers, respectively, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm/special_issues/Rehabilitation_Medicine and https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm/special_issues/5YCEMQT58P.

With the aging of society worldwide, there is an increasing number of people experiencing impairments and disabilities, such as physical impairment, cognitive impairment, frailty, and comorbidity. These are associated with an increased incidence of adverse healthcare outcomes, including hospitalization, poorer quality of life, and increased healthcare expenditure. The number of people who need rehabilitation has increased dramatically.

Recent work in rehabilitation has made great progress. There are numerous randomized controlled studies in every field of rehabilitation. The outcome of rehabilitation, such as cardiac rehabilitation, is classified as Class I and Evidence A. Rehabilitation services are delivered quicker (stroke, etc.), more widely (heart failure, renal failure, pulmonary hypertension, etc.), and longer (not only in the acute and recovery stages, but also in the maintenance stage and prior to surgery) in order to obtain better outcomes.

This second volume aims to focus on the recent advances in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation generally aims to “add life to years” by helping patients with impairments achieve and utilize their full physical, mental, and social potential. However, a growing body evidence suggests that rehabilitation for patients with visceral impairment, such as renal, cardiac, and pulmonary impairment, can not only improve exercise performance and the health-related quality of life, but also increase survival. Therefore, rehabilitation for patients does not simply aim to “add life to years” but “add life to years and years to life”, which is a new rehabilitation concept.

We are soliciting such cutting-edge research reports and overviews in relation to clinical rehabilitation, to offer a promising model for new fields in rehabilitation.

Prof. Dr. Masahiro Kohzuki
Guest Editor

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. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • neuro-rehabilitation
  • cognitive rehabilitation
  • spinal rehabilitation
  • orthopedic rehabilitation
  • pediatric rehabilitation
  • cancer rehabilitation
  • visceral rehabilitation
  • cardiac rehabilitation
  • pulmonary rehabilitation
  • renal rehabilitation
  • hepatic rehabilitation
  • rehabilitation for transplantation
  • fitness
  • peak VO2
  • multimorbidity and multiple disabilities (MMD)
  • adding life to years and years to life

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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14 pages, 936 KB  
Article
Long-Term Efficacy of Novel and Traditional Home-Based, Remote Inspiratory Muscle Training in COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Filip Dosbaba, Martin Hartman, Magno F. Formiga, Daniela Vlazna, Jitka Mináriková, Marek Plutinsky, Kristian Brat, Jing Jing Su, Lawrence P. Cahalin and Ladislav Batalik
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(17), 6099; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176099 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 729
Abstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition leading to declining lung function, dyspnea, and reduced quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) remains a cornerstone in COPD management; however, access remains limited, with less than 3% of eligible patients participating. Inspiratory [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition leading to declining lung function, dyspnea, and reduced quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) remains a cornerstone in COPD management; however, access remains limited, with less than 3% of eligible patients participating. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT), especially through novel methods like the Test of Incremental Respiratory Endurance (TIRE), offers a potential home-based alternative to traditional rehabilitation services. Despite growing interest, a key knowledge gap persists: few randomized trials have directly compared TIRE with threshold loading IMT over extended, largely unsupervised home-based periods while concurrently evaluating inspiratory muscle endurance and adherence. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of TIRE IMT compared to traditional threshold IMT and sham training in COPD patients. The study also assessed adherence to these home-based interventions, focusing on unsupervised periods without additional motivational support. Methods: A total of 52 COPD patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: TIRE IMT, Threshold IMT, or Sham IMT. The study consisted of an 8-week supervised Phase I followed by a 24-week unsupervised Phase II. Training details: TIRE—session template set to 50% of the day’s maximal sustained effort; 6 levels × 6 inspirations (total 36) with preset inter-breath recoveries decreasing from 60 s to 10 s. Threshold IMT—spring-loaded valve set to 50% MIP (re-set at week 4); 36 inspirations completed within ≤30 min. Sham—valve set to minimal resistance (9 cmH2O); 36 inspirations within ≤30 min. Primary outcomes included changes in maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and sustained maximal inspiratory pressure. Secondary outcomes focused on adherence rates and correlations with functional capacity. Results: Of the 52 participants, 36 completed the study. Participant details: TIRE n = 12 (mean age 60.9 ± 12.9 years), Threshold n = 12 (67.4 ± 6.9 years), Sham n = 12 (67.3 ± 8.7 years); overall 21/36 (58%) men; mean BMI 30.0 ± 7.5 kg/m2. The TIRE IMT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in MIP (31.7%) and SMIP compared to both the Threshold and Sham groups at 24 weeks (p < 0.05). Despite a decline in adherence during the unsupervised phase, the TIRE group maintained superior outcomes. No adverse events were reported during the intervention period. Conclusions: In this randomized trial, TIRE IMT was associated with greater improvements in inspiratory muscle performance than threshold and sham IMT. While adherence was higher in the TIRE group, it declined during the unsupervised phase. The clinical interpretation of these findings should consider the relatively wide confidence intervals and modest sample size. Nevertheless, the mean change in MIP in the TIRE arm exceeded a recently proposed minimal important difference for COPD, suggesting potential clinical relevance; however, no universally accepted minimal important difference exists yet for SMIP. Further adequately powered trials are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine—3rd Edition)
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9 pages, 724 KB  
Article
Usefulness of the Phase Angle in Evaluating Locomotive Syndrome in Cancer Patients
by Ryoga Kashima, Ryo Yoshikawa, Wataru Saho, Yasumitsu Fujii, Risa Harada, Daisuke Makiura, Daisuke Tatebayashi, Katsuya Fujiwara, Mayu Mizuta, Junichiro Inoue and Yoshitada Sakai
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(11), 3980; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14113980 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 624
Abstract
Background: Locomotive syndrome (LS), a condition characterized by impaired mobility due to locomotive organ dysfunction, is highly prevalent among patients with cancer. The phase angle (PhA), measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), reflects cellular health and nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate [...] Read more.
Background: Locomotive syndrome (LS), a condition characterized by impaired mobility due to locomotive organ dysfunction, is highly prevalent among patients with cancer. The phase angle (PhA), measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), reflects cellular health and nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the association between LS and the PhA in patients with cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study included hospitalized patients who underwent cancer treatment. The assessed variables included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), gait speed, grip strength, PhA, and the outcomes of LS risk assessment using the stand-up test, two-step test, and the 25-Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS25). Results: A total of 190 patients (57 females, 133 males; mean age, 62.6 ± 17.2 years) were analyzed. The PhA was significantly negatively correlated with the LS stage (rs = −0.507, p < 0.001). Similarly, a significant negative correlation was observed between the PhA and each LS risk test, namely, the stand-up test, two-step test, and GLFS25. Furthermore, the PhA was identified as an independent and significant factor associated with LS progression (odds ratio, 0.361; 95% confidence interval, 0.221–0.588; p < 0.001). More effective and rapid than completing the full range of LS risk tests, measuring the PhA represents a convenient and practical tool for the early screening of mobility decline. Conclusions: The PhA is a simple and effective parameter for assessing mobility decline in patients with cancer. It is a potential clinical indicator for initiating rehabilitation interventions aimed at preventing the onset and progression of LS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine—3rd Edition)
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21 pages, 962 KB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Equine-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Alexandra N. Stergiou, Avraam Ploumis, Spyridon Kamtsios, Georgios Markozannes, Pineio Christodoulou and Dimitrios N. Varvarousis
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(11), 3731; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14113731 - 26 May 2025
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Abstract
Objectives: Different types of exercises that aim in the development of balance, motor function, and gait are necessary for patients with motor disorders. Equine-assisted therapy could play an important role in the rehabilitation of these participants. Methods: The purpose of this study was [...] Read more.
Objectives: Different types of exercises that aim in the development of balance, motor function, and gait are necessary for patients with motor disorders. Equine-assisted therapy could play an important role in the rehabilitation of these participants. Methods: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that equine-assisted therapy can exert on balance, motor function, spasticity, posture and gait, as well as quality of life on individuals with motor disorders. Clinical trials, published up to 20 April 2022, comparing equine-assisted therapy with conventional rehabilitation were systematically searched. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and assessed the quality of studies using the Downs and Black quality assessment tool. Results: Out of 27 studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria for systematic review, 15 included appropriate data for further comparative meta-analysis. Statistically significant differences were found in Dimension E (walking, running, jumping) of Gross Motor Function Measure in children with CP (0.009) and in Time Up and Go in Elderly and post-stroke participants (p = 0.006). Specifically, children with CP improved in walking, running, and jumping, as well as improved mobility in the elderly. The systematic review showed that the intervention had positive results, as well as in other domains, even though these were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Equine-assisted therapy is beneficial for individuals with impairments in balance, gross motor function, gait, spasticity, and coordination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine—3rd Edition)
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