Innovative Approaches in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Medicine and Sports Traumatology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 March 2025) | Viewed by 4054

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Research Group Research Methods in Social Sciences, Mare Nostrum Camùsof International Excellence, Univerity of Murcia, 30100 Murcia
Interests: pain perception; public health; health education; pain measurement, rehabilitation medicine, physical therapy

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Guest Editor
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urb. Montepríncipe, s/n., 28668 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
Interests: physical therapy; rehabilitation medicine; hip arthroplasty; knee ICC

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of physiotherapy and rehabilitation is to treat, prevent, promote health and improve physical performance. Physical therapy and rehabilitation have undergone significant changes in recent years, adapting to new challenges and the demands of today’s society. As the world’s population ages, there are more and more people with chronic diseases or disabilities. Professionals must be able to address these specific conditions and develop physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs tailored to each patient. Traditional methods have proven effective over the years, but with rapid advances in technology and research, there is a growing need to explore and implement innovative approaches in this field.

Innovation in physiotherapy and rehabilitation can take many forms, from new therapeutic techniques and exercises to advanced equipment and technologies such as virtual reality, robotics and tele-rehabilitation. These innovative approaches have revolutionized the field of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, offering new ways of treating and caring for patients. The aim of this Special Issue is to summarize new trends on assessment, prevention and therapeutic approaches in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Original articles, case reports, systematic reviews and meta-analyses are all welcome. With this Special Issue, we hope to promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, ultimately contributing to better patient care and health outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Antonia Aurelia Gómez Conesa
Prof. Dr. Carmen Belén Martínez Cepa
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • physical therapy
  • rehabilitation
  • chronic diseases
  • virtual reality
  • tele-rehabilitation
  • new trends

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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10 pages, 758 KiB  
Article
Effects of Standard Physiotherapy with the Addition of Mechanical Traction on Pain, Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
by Kati Florjančič and Renata Vauhnik
Medicina 2025, 61(3), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61030507 - 15 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1075
Abstract
Background and Objectives: There is evidence of decreasing knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis when knee mechanical traction is performed surgically. Our aim was to measure the effects of standard physiotherapy with the addition of knee mechanical traction on pain, physical activity [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: There is evidence of decreasing knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis when knee mechanical traction is performed surgically. Our aim was to measure the effects of standard physiotherapy with the addition of knee mechanical traction on pain, physical activity and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: A clinical observational study with intervention and without a control group was conducted at three outpatient health clinics on a primary level of the health care system. Twenty-three patients with knee osteoarthritis voluntarily participated in the study. Standard physiotherapy included education, therapeutic and aerobic exercise, conventional TENS, low-intensity laser and manual soft tissue techniques. Mechanical traction of 150 N continuous force for 15 min with the knee joint at 25° flexion was added to standard physiotherapy. The following outcome measures were used: VAS, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and a 30 s sit-to-stand test. Results: The pain measured for the VAS at rest (p < 0.001) and during movement (p < 0.001) as well as for the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain part decreased (p < 0.05). The quality of life did not improve (p > 0.05), but the physical activity of the patients did (p < 0.05). A decrease in pain correlated with body mass (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Standard physiotherapy with the addition of mechanical traction had an effect on reducing pain and improving physical activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation)
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19 pages, 2897 KiB  
Article
Active Neurodynamic Technique at Home in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: An Open Single Arm Clinical Trial
by Beatriz Serrano-García, Carmen Belén Martínez-Cepa, Francisco Forriol and Juan Carlos Zuil-Escobar
Medicina 2024, 60(11), 1857; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60111857 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 2239
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KO) stands as the third leading cause of disability among the elderly, causing pain, reduced quality of life, and decreased functionality. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of an active neurodynamic technique programme [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KO) stands as the third leading cause of disability among the elderly, causing pain, reduced quality of life, and decreased functionality. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of an active neurodynamic technique programme at home on pain, quality of life, and function among individuals with KO. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five participants (69.7% women) aged ≥50 years with KO (Kellgren–Lawrence grades I–II) performed a femoral nerve mobilization programme at home for 6–8 weeks (20 repetitions per day). Pain intensity, using the numerical rating scale (NRS), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), central sensitization inventory (CSI), temporal assessment, pain modulation, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the 12-item Short Form Survey questionnaire (SF-12) were collected before, after the intervention, and at one, three, six, and twelve months. Results: Participants improved significantly in pain (p < 0.05), with the improvement maintained throughout the follow-up in the NRS and for at least one month in the PPT. There were also statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in all subscales of the KOOS, which were maintained throughout the follow-up. Improvements were also found in the CSI and CPM. Conclusions: A home-based active neurodynamic programme for the femoral nerve has been demonstrated to yield positive effects on pain and function in patients with KO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation)
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