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Musculoskeletal Disorders: Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation

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 September 2025 | Viewed by 2449

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Deparment of Physiotherapy. Faculty of Medicine, Health and Sports, European University of Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
Interests: musculoskeletal ultrasound; morphofunctional assessment; physical rehabilitation; musculoskeletal disorders; functional evaluation; health sciences; diagnostic imaging

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Physiotherapy, Nursing and Podiatry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: myofascial pain syndrome; neurodynamic techniques; minimally invasive musculoskeletal physiotherapy; rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI); validation and reliability studies; foot disorders; musculoskeletal biomechanics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major health concern worldwide, contributing to pain, disability, and diminished quality of life. These conditions require a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, encompassing not only innovative diagnostic tools such as morphofunctional and musculoskeletal ultrasound but also the evaluation of patients' functional performance, quality of life, strength levels, range of motion, functionality, and physical limitations.

This Special Issue, "Musculoskeletal Disorders: Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation", aims to highlight advancements in the assessment and management of MSDs. A particular focus will be given to approaches that integrate functional and biomechanical analysis into clinical practice, providing an in-depth understanding of patient functionality and physical limitations. Contributions are welcome from randomized controlled trials evaluating rehabilitation programs combined with various techniques, whether pharmacological, conservative, minimally invasive, or based on therapeutic exercise. Additionally, studies addressing the impact of these interventions on patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life and functional recovery, are highly encouraged.

We invite researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to submit original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that advance the understanding and management of musculoskeletal disorders. This Special Issue seeks to promote a multidisciplinary perspective to enhance patient care and recovery outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Jaime Almazán-Polo
Prof. Dr. César Calvo-Lobo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • therapeutic exercise
  • functional evaluation
  • rehabilitation protocols
  • musculoskeletal ultrasound
  • biomechanical análisis
  • quality of life
  • functional assessment of the musculoskeletal system
  • strength training
  • physical therapy
  • morphofunctional assessment
  • conservative treatments
  • range of motion evaluation
  • randomized controlled trials

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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19 pages, 3870 KiB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy of Ergonomic Interventions on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Weiner Santos, Carmen Rojas, Rui Isidoro, Alejandro Lorente, Ana Dias, Gonzalo Mariscal, María Benlloch and Rafael Lorente
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(9), 3034; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14093034 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1134
Abstract
Background: Among the leading causes of work-related disability, musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) profoundly affect productivity and quality of life. Workplace changes, equipment adjustments, and training courses, among other ergonomic interventions, seek to lower the frequency and degree of MSDs. This systematic review and [...] Read more.
Background: Among the leading causes of work-related disability, musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) profoundly affect productivity and quality of life. Workplace changes, equipment adjustments, and training courses, among other ergonomic interventions, seek to lower the frequency and degree of MSDs. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether ergonomic interventions help prevent and control MSDs in various workplace environments. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated ergonomic interventions against conventional conditions. Effect sizes were computed using mean differences and pooled using a random-effects model in case of heterogeneity. A uniform Excel sheet was used for data extraction. Revman software (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) was used for statistical analysis. Results: This meta-analysis included 24 RCTs with 4086 workers with different occupations. A meta-analysis of 10 included studies demonstrated lower pain intensity with a mean difference in VAS score between ergonomic interventions and the control group of −0.28 (95%CI: −0.43, −0.14, p = 0.0001). Also, there was a significant reduction in reported MSD-related pain in the lower back with ergonomic interventions with an OR 0.53 (95%CI: 0.40–0.70, p < 0.00001). Moreover, there were statistically significant results for ergonomic interventions in the upper back, ankles, wrists, and neck. In contrast, there were no significant improvements in the thighs, arms, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Conclusions: Our findings support implementing ergonomic strategies as a practical approach to reducing work-related MSDs. However, further research is needed to improve intervention design and long-term effectiveness. Full article
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14 pages, 542 KiB  
Systematic Review
Therapeutic Exercise Prescription for Overhead Athletes with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Systematic Review and CERT Analysis
by Fabien Guérineau, María Dolores Sosa-Reina, Jaime Almazán-Polo, Javier Bailón-Cerezo and Ángel González-de-la-Flor
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(5), 1657; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14051657 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1029
Abstract
Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a prevalent condition among overhead athletes, often managed through therapeutic exercise interventions. However, the quality of reporting in exercise protocols significantly impacts their reproducibility and clinical implementation. The Consensus for Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) provides a standardized [...] Read more.
Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a prevalent condition among overhead athletes, often managed through therapeutic exercise interventions. However, the quality of reporting in exercise protocols significantly impacts their reproducibility and clinical implementation. The Consensus for Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) provides a standardized framework to assess the quality of exercise reporting in clinical research. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the quality of exercise protocols used to treat SIS in overhead athletes by applying the CERT checklist. Additionally, the risk of bias was assessed to determine the methodological rigor of included studies. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Sport Discuss, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were searched for eligible studies. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case series that investigated exercise therapy for SIS in overhead athletes. Studies had to be published in English and provide details on exercise interventions. Exclusion criteria included non-human studies, acute injuries, and postoperative management. The primary outcome was the quality of intervention reporting, assessed using the CERT checklist. The secondary outcome was the risk of bias, evaluated using the modified Downs and Black checklist. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising four RCTs and one case series. CERT scores ranged from 6 to 13 (median = 8, IQR = 1), indicating suboptimal reporting quality. Commonly reported CERT items included equipment usage and exercise tailoring. However, key aspects such as adherence, motivation, and intervention fidelity were consistently underreported. None of the included studies provided comprehensive details on exercise interventions as per CERT guidelines, limiting their reproducibility and clinical application. Conclusions: The quality of reporting on exercise-based interventions for SIS in overhead athletes remains insufficient. Critical gaps in adherence monitoring, patient motivation, and intervention fidelity were identified. Future research should prioritize standardized and detailed reporting of exercise interventions to enhance reproducibility and facilitate evidence-based clinical practice. Full article
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