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Life
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Advances on Physiotherapy and Functional Rehabilitation in Chronic Conditions
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Advances on Physiotherapy and Functional Rehabilitation in Chronic Conditions

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 4013

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Anna Arnal-Gómez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physiotherapy in Motion, Multispeciality Research Group (PTin MOTION), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: physiotherapy; aging; sarcopenia; respiratory conditions; neurological conditions; healthcare

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, entitled “Advances on Physiotherapy and Functional Rehabilitation in Chronic Conditions”, to be published in the journal Life.

Physiotherapy has become an essential and strategic component in the comprehensive management of chronic diseases across all stages of life. A wide spectrum of conditions—such as cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis in childhood; chronic pain syndromes in young and middle-aged adults, including low back pain, pelvic pain, or endometriosis; and degenerative, respiratory, or neurological disorders such as arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Parkinson’s disease, or stroke in older adults—are frequently addressed within physiotherapy clinical practice. These chronic conditions not only prevail globally but increasingly influence the epidemiological profile of populations, shaping public health priorities and imposing growing clinical, social, and economic burdens on healthcare systems.

From a functional standpoint, chronic diseases exert long-term and often progressive effects on mobility, postural control, muscular strength, balance, aerobic capacity, and overall functional independence. They also impair participation in daily activities and significantly reduce quality of life. Consequently, therapeutic interventions must be grounded in robust scientific evidence and adapted to the evolving needs of individuals throughout the course of their condition.

In this context, there is a critical need to update and refine physiotherapy and functional rehabilitation protocols, with particular emphasis on interventions targeting pain modulation, functional mobility, and long-term self-management. Establishing clearer evidence regarding the optimal frequency, intensity, duration, and combination of therapeutic modalities is essential to enhance clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and promote cost-effective models of care.

The objective of this Special Issue is to showcase high-quality scientific and technical contributions that explore health-related factors influencing the well-being, functional status, and quality of life of people living with chronic conditions. By fostering the dissemination of innovative clinical approaches, outcome-based research, and interdisciplinary perspectives, this Special Issue aims to support the development of more effective, personalized, and sustainable physiotherapeutic interventions.

Dr. Anna Arnal-Gómez
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life 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 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

  • physiotherapy
  • chronic condition
  • functionality
  • pain

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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16 pages, 1304 KB  
Article
Electromyographic Differences in Hyoid and Superficial Muscle Activity During Dynamic Neck Movement in Individuals with Chronic Neck Pain
by Hirofumi Sageshima, Ruba Albatayneh, Chipo Malambo and Dagmar Pavlů
Life 2026, 16(4), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16040616 - 7 Apr 2026
Viewed by 393
Abstract
Chronic neck pain (CNP) is associated with pain-related neuromuscular adaptations; however, in contrast to other superficial neck muscles, the influences of pain on hyoid muscles remain to be investigated. This study investigated how hyoid and superficial neck muscle activity differ between individuals with [...] Read more.
Chronic neck pain (CNP) is associated with pain-related neuromuscular adaptations; however, in contrast to other superficial neck muscles, the influences of pain on hyoid muscles remain to be investigated. This study investigated how hyoid and superficial neck muscle activity differ between individuals with and without CNP during dynamic neck flexion and extension. In this observational cross-sectional, case–control study, 20 individuals with CNP and 20 sex- and age-matched asymptomatic controls were recruited. All participants performed dynamic neck flexion and extension in a crook-lying position at a controlled tempo. Surface electromyography was used to examine bilateral sternocleidomastoid (SCM), anterior scalene, upper trapezius, suprahyoid, and infrahyoid muscle activity. Normalised EMG values and their absolute phase-to-phase changes were analysed using linear mixed-effects models. A significant group × muscle interaction was observed (F = 3.34, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.04), with higher normalised EMG values in the bilateral anterior scalene (left: GMR = 1.42, p = 0.01; right: GMR = 1.37, p = 0.03) and suprahyoid muscles (left: GMR = 1.42, p = 0.01; right: GMR = 1.37, p = 0.03) in individuals with CNP. In contrast, the phase-to-phase changes did not differ between the groups. These findings suggest that individuals with CNP exhibit selective alterations in muscle activation patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Physiotherapy and Functional Rehabilitation in Chronic Conditions)
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18 pages, 851 KB  
Article
Effect of Physical Therapy with Combined Resistance Exercises and Vigorous Walking in Older Adult Women with Chronic Non-Specific Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Rocío Cogollos-de-la-Peña, Gemma Victoria Espí-López, Anna Arnal-Gómez, Lucas Monzani, Juan J. Carrasco and Laura Fuentes-Aparicio
Life 2026, 16(2), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16020341 - 16 Feb 2026
Viewed by 844
Abstract
Background: Age-related hormonal changes in older women accelerate bone and muscle loss, leading to postural dysfunction and chronic musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a physical therapy program combining elastic band exercises and vigorous walking on pain, thoracic [...] Read more.
Background: Age-related hormonal changes in older women accelerate bone and muscle loss, leading to postural dysfunction and chronic musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a physical therapy program combining elastic band exercises and vigorous walking on pain, thoracic mobility, and functional capacity in older adult women. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted older adult women (60–80 years) with chronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain, allocated to an elastic band plus vigorous walking group (EBWG), a vigorous walking group (VWG), or a control group (CG). A total of 91 participants completed all of the assessments. Outcomes included pressure pain threshold (PPT), self-reported pain (VAS), thoracic mobility (UPC, LWC), functional capacity (5XSTS), and perceived improvement (PGIC), evaluated at baseline, after a 4-week intervention, and at 4-week follow-up. Results: The EBWG demonstrated greater improvements in PPT (+0.66 kg/cm2 at T2), upper chest expansion (+1.00 cm), and 5XSTS performance (−1.7 s) compared to the control group. The VWG showed significant reductions in overall pain (−0.9 points) and lumbar pain (−1.7 points). Improvements in PPT and thoracic mobility in the EBWG exceeded MDC/MCID thresholds, indicating clinically meaningful changes. Vigorous walking alone improved self-reported pain but was less effective than the multicomponent program. Conclusions: A 4-week combined program of elastic band exercises and vigorous walking produced clinically relevant improvements in pain threshold, thoracic mobility, functional capacity, and perceived change compared to walking alone or usual activity. These findings support the clinical utility of short, feasible, multicomponent interventions for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain in older women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Physiotherapy and Functional Rehabilitation in Chronic Conditions)
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Other

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25 pages, 2768 KB  
Systematic Review
Comparative Rehabilitation Benefits of Water-Based Versus Land-Based Exercise in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Weiping Du, Jianhua Zhou and Aiping Chi
Life 2026, 16(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16020207 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 875
Abstract
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly experience impaired lung function, reduced exercise tolerance, and respiratory muscle weakness. Owing to the unique properties of the aquatic environment, water-based exercise may provide rehabilitation benefits that differ from those of traditional land-based exercise. Objective [...] Read more.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly experience impaired lung function, reduced exercise tolerance, and respiratory muscle weakness. Owing to the unique properties of the aquatic environment, water-based exercise may provide rehabilitation benefits that differ from those of traditional land-based exercise. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of water-based versus land-based exercise on lung function, exercise capacity, and respiratory muscle function in patients with COPD, thereby providing evidence to inform the optimization of pulmonary rehabilitation exercise modalities. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and other databases were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials comparing water-based and land-based exercise interventions in adults with COPD. Primary outcomes included lung function (FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC), exercise capacity (six-minute walk distance, 6MWD), respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP]) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). Meta-analyses were performed using Stata 17.0. Results: A total of 14 RCTs were included. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with land-based exercise, water-based exercise significantly improved FEV1% predicted (WMD = 3.33, 95% CI: 0.02–6.64) and FEV1/FVC (WMD = 4.00, 95% CI: 1.27–6.73). Regarding exercise capacity, water-based exercise significantly increased 6MWD (WMD = 47.81 m, 95% CI: 20.19–75.44), with more pronounced improvements observed in short-term interventions (≤8 weeks). Respiratory muscle function analyses demonstrated significant improvements in MIP (WMD = 14.22 cmH2O, 95% CI: 7.75–20.69) and MEP (WMD = 14.40 cmH2O, 95% CI: 4.92–23.89). Conclusions: Compared with land-based exercise, water-based exercise demonstrates consistent advantages in improving exercise capacity and respiratory muscle function in patients with COPD and shows additional benefits for lung function indices. Therefore, water-based exercise may serve as a valuable adjunct to land-based training within pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Physiotherapy and Functional Rehabilitation in Chronic Conditions)
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18 pages, 1024 KB  
Systematic Review
Anxiety-Related Functional Dizziness: A Systematic Review of the Recent Evidence on Vestibular, Cognitive Behavioral, and Integrative Therapies
by Rosario Ferlito, Francesco Cannistrà, Salvatore Giunta, Manuela Pennisi, Carmen Concerto, Maria S. Signorelli, Rita Bella, Maria P. Mogavero, Raffaele Ferri and Giuseppe Lanza
Life 2026, 16(1), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010159 - 18 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1419
Abstract
Background: Functional dizziness and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) involve mutually reinforcing vestibular symptoms and anxiety. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), aim to address both mechanisms, yet their overall effectiveness remains unclear. Methods: We [...] Read more.
Background: Functional dizziness and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) involve mutually reinforcing vestibular symptoms and anxiety. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), aim to address both mechanisms, yet their overall effectiveness remains unclear. Methods: We systematically examined randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2000 and 2025 that evaluated VRT, CBT, or multimodal approaches for adults with functional or chronic dizziness (including PPPD and related functional dizziness constructs) accompanied by significant anxiety. Twelve RCTs (513 participants) met the criteria, involving individuals with PPPD, chronic subjective dizziness, chronic vestibular disorders with prominent anxiety, and residual dizziness after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Results: Conventional VRT delivered in clinic or as structured home-based programs produced small-to-moderate improvements in dizziness-related disability versus usual care. Combining VRT with CBT or psychologically informed components yielded larger and more consistent reductions in disability and maladaptive dizziness-related beliefs. CBT-based interventions reduced anxiety and dizziness-related distress compared with supportive controls. Emerging modalities, including virtual-reality-based VRT, non-invasive neuromodulation, and heart-rate-variability biofeedback, showed potential, although they were limited by small samples and methodological issues. Most trials had some risk-of-bias concerns and evidence certainty ranged from very low to moderate. Conclusions: Integrated multimodal rehabilitation shows promise, although larger, high-quality RCTs using standardized procedures and outcome measures are required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Physiotherapy and Functional Rehabilitation in Chronic Conditions)
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