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Musculoskeletal Pain: Clinical Management Updates
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Musculoskeletal Pain: Clinical Management Updates

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 2861

Editor

Dr. Carmen Ridao-Fernandez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, Avicena St., 41009 Seville, Spain
Interests: gait assessment; gait reeducation; outcome measures; patellofemoral pain; musculoskeletal disorders; therapeutic exercise

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues，

Musculoskeletal pain is a determining factor in the quality of life in human beings and a frequent cause of disability. Despite scientific advances in recent years, furthering our understanding of the processes responsible for musculoskeletal pain remains essential today, including the evaluation of each of the injuries responsible for pain and the approach to patients who suffer from it. Improving our understanding of the processes that cause musculoskeletal pain will allow us to personalize the evaluation and treatment of each patient, contributing to the improvement of clinical practice, based on scientific evidence.

This Special Issue in the Journal of Clinical Medicine aims to deepen the assessment and treatment of injuries or conditions that cause musculoskeletal pain. Authors are therefore invited to submit their research related to this topic, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, consensus statements, clinical trials, study protocols, and observational studies.

Dr. Carmen Ridao-Fernandez
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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

  • musculoskeletal pain
  • chronic pain
  • gait assessment
  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • patellofemoral pain

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1462 KB  
Article
Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of Knee Quality of Life 26-Item Questionnaire into Spanish in Patellofemoral Pain
by Fernando Espuny-Ruiz, Carmen Ridao-Fernandez, Rocio Aldon-Villegas, Maria-Luisa Benitez-Lugo and Gema Chamorro-Moriana
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(13), 5102; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15135102 - 30 Jun 2026
Viewed by 184
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a persistent knee disorder that impacts quality of life (QoL). Although holistic assessments are needed, no specific tools exist regarding QoL in PFP. The Knee Quality of Life 26-item questionnaire (KQoL-26), covering physical and psychosocial dimensions, could [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a persistent knee disorder that impacts quality of life (QoL). Although holistic assessments are needed, no specific tools exist regarding QoL in PFP. The Knee Quality of Life 26-item questionnaire (KQoL-26), covering physical and psychosocial dimensions, could be useful but has not been adapted for Spanish speakers. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt KQoL-26 into Spanish and assess its psychometric properties regarding PFP, including validity and reliability. Methods: This cross-cultural adaptation followed COSMIN recommendations. The cultural and linguistic adaptation of KQoL-26 included 104 subjects with PFP, involving 145 affected knees. Inclusion criteria: symptomatic PFP, aged between 16 and 55, and being native Spanish speakers. Validity (structural, construct, and external), reliability (internal consistency, test–retest, and agreement), discriminant ability, and feasibility were assessed. Results: Factor Analysis identified five dimensions. Convergent validity demonstrated a strong correlation between KQoL-26 and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Patellofemoral pain and osteoarthritis, Kujala Score, Fulkerson Scale, and the Physical Component Summary of 12-item Short Form, while weak correlations with descriptive data supported discriminant validity. The questionnaire demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.949) and test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.949), with adequate agreement parameters. No floor or ceiling effects were observed. Regarding feasibility, KQoL-26 was understandable and completed by all participants. Conclusions: The Spanish KQoL-26 is a valid, reliable, and feasible QoL assessment tool for Spanish speakers with PFP. Its use may support both clinical decision-making and research in this population group by providing a comprehensive assessment of patient-reported outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Pain: Clinical Management Updates)
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14 pages, 2113 KB  
Article
Temporomandibular Disorder-like Pain in Parkinson’s Disease Is Associated with Motor Symptom Severity and Disability Levels
by Nontawat Chuinsiri, Krittima Rungrattrakul, Piyamitr Mungngam, Prachnasatee Hongboon, Ratchaphon Phromrueangrit, Natthapol Thinsathid and Sarawut Suksuphew
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(10), 3897; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15103897 - 19 May 2026
Viewed by 1795
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms, including pain. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)-like pain, defined as self-reported pain modified by jaw activities, has been suggested to be more prevalent in PD, but its association with [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms, including pain. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)-like pain, defined as self-reported pain modified by jaw activities, has been suggested to be more prevalent in PD, but its association with PD severity remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between pain modified by jaw activities and PD severity and the temporal stability of such pain in PD. Methods: This prospective study recruited 28 individuals with PD. Motor symptom severity and disability levels were evaluated using the modified Hoehn and Yahr (mHY) staging and modified Rankin Scale (mRS), respectively. Based on the diagnostic criteria for TMD, a questionnaire assessing pain modified by jaw activities and clinical examination were utilised. Pain modified by jaw activities was reassessed at one, two, and three months. Statistical analyses included Spearman’s rank correlation test and Friedman test, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The participants’ mean age was 69.2 ± 9.6 years; 53.6% were male. Eight participants reported pain modified by jaw activities. Clinical examination identified painful palpation sites in 14 participants, most commonly in the masseter muscle body. Pain modified by jaw activity count showed significant positive correlations with mHY stage (rho = 0.48, p = 0.015) and mRS score (rho = 0.41, p = 0.04). Twenty-four participants completed follow-up, with no significant changes in pain reports over three months. Conclusions: Some individuals with PD may experience persistent TMD-like pain, which is correlated with motor symptom severity and disability levels, highlighting the importance of routine TMD screening in PD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Pain: Clinical Management Updates)
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Other

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15 pages, 540 KB  
Study Protocol
Efficacy of Pain Neuroscience Education Combined with Exercise in Older Adults with Chronic Pain: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
by Javier Torres-Alonso, Luis Polo-Ferrero, Sara Hernández-Rubia, María Carmen Sánchez-Sánchez, Ana Silvia Puente-González, Susana Sáez-Gutiérrez, Roberto Méndez-Sánchez and Fausto J. Barbero-Iglesias
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(10), 3696; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15103696 - 11 May 2026
Viewed by 492
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chronic pain in older adults is a highly disabling epidemic, often overtreated with passive pharmacological approaches. Although clinical guidelines recommend active strategies combining multicomponent exercise and Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), robust geriatric evidence remains scarce. Therefore, the central objective of this randomized [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chronic pain in older adults is a highly disabling epidemic, often overtreated with passive pharmacological approaches. Although clinical guidelines recommend active strategies combining multicomponent exercise and Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), robust geriatric evidence remains scarce. Therefore, the central objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of combined PNE and exercise versus exercise alone. Crucially, this RCT addresses a major literature gap by investigating the long-term dose–response effect of PNE (an 8-week intensive vs. a 32-week maintenance program) to determine the optimal strategy for sustaining behavioral change and pain relief. Methods: A prospective, single-blind RCT (1:1:1 allocation) will recruit 90 older adults (≥65 years) with primary chronic musculoskeletal pain. The 32-week intervention comprises three arms: a control group (multicomponent exercise), Intervention Group 1 (exercise + 8 weeks of PNE), and Intervention Group 2 (exercise + 32 weeks of PNE). The primary outcome is pain intensity (assessed via the Numeric Rating Scale [NRS]). Secondary outcomes include kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, chronic pain grade and related disability, quality of life, physical performance, body composition and analgesic consumption. Data collected at baseline, 8, and 32 weeks will be analyzed using mixed-effects models for repeated measures. Results: As this is a study protocol, there are no results to report yet. Upon completion of the trial, data will be analyzed using mixed-effects models for repeated measures to evaluate intra- and intergroup changes over time, and the findings will be disseminated in future publications. Conclusions: By evaluating the long-term dose–response effect, this study will determine the optimal PNE dosage required for sustained pain relief and behavioral change in older adults. If our hypotheses are confirmed, the findings will generate high-quality evidence to support the integration of combined active interventions into community settings, promoting active aging and reducing the burden of chronic pain. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07287501. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Pain: Clinical Management Updates)
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