New Trends in Physiotherapy Care: Improvements in Functionality, Pain Management, and Quality of Life

Abstract submission deadline

31 December 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

3 March 2026

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physiotherapy is emerging as one of the most rapidly expanding fields within healthcare systems, while rehabilitation is undergoing significant modernization across various specialties, including neurology, cardiology, rheumatology, and traumatology. The integration of new systems and protocols represents an unstoppable wave of progress; however, these clinical advancements demand robust evidence, making it essential to publish findings that validate and support the efficacy of new interventions.

Key areas of impact today include exercise-based therapies, telerehabilitation, virtual reality applications, and the evolving paradigm of pain management. This Topic aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in rehabilitation, addressing critical clinical challenges such as pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnostic strategies, cost-effective intervention methods, treatment efficacy, innovative clinical perspectives, and the formulation of new rehabilitation protocols.

Researchers in the field are invited to contribute original articles or comprehensive reviews to this Topic. Please note that case reports and short reviews will not be considered.

• Exercise therapy.
• Telerehabilitation.
• New tends in rehabilitation.
• Pain management.
• Neurology.
• Rheumatology.
• Musculoskeletal.
• Manipulations.
• Cost-effectiveness.

Dr. Carlos Bernal-Utrera
Dr. Ernesto Anarte-Lazo
Prof. Dr. Juan José González Gerez
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology jfmk	2.6	4.2	2016	19.7 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Medicina medicina	2.4	3.3	1920	17.1 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Therapeutics therapeutics	-	-	2024	15.0 days *	CHF 1000	Submit
Healthcare healthcare	2.4	3.5	2013	20.3 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine jcm	3.0	5.7	2012	16 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Rheumato rheumato	-	-	2021	26.7 Days	CHF 1000	Submit

* Median value for all MDPI journals in the second half of 2024.

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All JFMK Medicina Therapeutics Healthcare JCM Rheumato

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19 pages, 1077 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review

by Kevin Paúl Guachizaca Moreno, Lucía Fernanda Flores-Santy and Israel Vinueza Fernández

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(2), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020121 - 5 Apr 2025

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Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic rheumatological disease that affects the musculoskeletal system, primarily characterized by widespread chronic pain and other symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life of those who suffer from it, being more prevalent in the female population. In this [...] Read more.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic rheumatological disease that affects the musculoskeletal system, primarily characterized by widespread chronic pain and other symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life of those who suffer from it, being more prevalent in the female population. In this context, among the non-pharmacological treatments available for this condition, resistance exercise has shown to be a promising intervention. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the optimal intensity of resistance exercise in patients with fibromyalgia and evaluate its effects and benefits. Methods: An exhaustive literature search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PEDro databases. After the selection process, from the 405 studies initially identified, 17 met the established inclusion criteria. Subsequently, the methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Results: From the 405 studies initially identified, 17 met the established inclusion criteria. The results indicate that among the interventions studied, progressive intensity is the most recommended, where it is suggested to start with 40% of 1RM. This is followed, in order of recommendation, by low- and medium-intensity exercises, while high-intensity exercises are, in principle, the least used. Furthermore, the analysis of the effects of progressive intensity exercise showed promising results, including a significant decrease in pain, an increase in physical functionality, and, consequently, an improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: These findings suggest that progressive resistance exercise is an effective intervention for treating patients with fibromyalgia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Trends in Physiotherapy Care: Improvements in Functionality, Pain Management, and Quality of Life)

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14 pages, 1735 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Ankle Joint Angles and Surrounding Muscles on Hip Joint Musculature

by Yuta Murata, Noriyuki Kida, Takumi Jiromaru, Michio Wachi, Kohei Yoshikawa, Shinichi Noguchi and Hitoshi Onishi

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020110 - 27 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Hip abductor weakness is a common issue in patients with lower back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and hip disorders, and compromises pelvic stability, gait control, and function. Side-lying hip abduction exercises are widely used as safe and effective interventions for patients unable [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Hip abductor weakness is a common issue in patients with lower back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and hip disorders, and compromises pelvic stability, gait control, and function. Side-lying hip abduction exercises are widely used as safe and effective interventions for patients unable to perform high-load or weight-bearing activities. However, the influence of ankle joint angles and distal muscle activity on the hip abductor muscles remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ankle joint angles and activation states on unilateral right hip abductor strength and muscle activity. Methods: Fifteen healthy male adults (29.1 ± 5.4 years) participated. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure the activity of the tensor fasciae latae (TFL), gluteus medius (G-med), gluteus maximus, tibialis anterior, and medial gas-trocnemius muscles. Hip abduction strength was evaluated in a side-lying position with the ankle positioned at three angles (neutral, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion) and in three activation states (no activation, maximal dorsiflexion, and maximal plantarflexion). Two-factor (3 × 3) repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze strength and EMG activity. Results: ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect. The results of the simple main effects showed significantly higher hip abduction strength in dorsiflexion than in the neutral position and plantarflexion (p < 0.001). TFL and G-med EMG activities peaked during dorsiflexion, particularly under maximal dorsiflexion. Conclusions: These findings suggest that dorsiflexion enhances hip abductor strength and activity by increasing fascial tension (lateral line and superficial backline) and improving limb alignment. This approach may provide effective rehabilitation strategies. This is a load-adjustable training recovery approach that should be confirmed with future intervention studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Trends in Physiotherapy Care: Improvements in Functionality, Pain Management, and Quality of Life)

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16 pages, 846 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Training According to Radiological Stages in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

by Sibel Gayretli Atan, Esra Pehlivan and Sinan Bağçacı

Medicina 2025, 61(3), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61030546 - 20 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of proprioceptive studies according to radiological stages in patients with knee osteoarthritis and to determine at which stage of the disease it should be added to the rehabilitation program. [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of proprioceptive studies according to radiological stages in patients with knee osteoarthritis and to determine at which stage of the disease it should be added to the rehabilitation program. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective clinical trial. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (name of the registry: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Training According to Radiological Stages in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis; trial registration number: NCT06150170; date of registration: 21 November 2023). The patients were divided into two groups, which were Grade 1–2 (Group 1) and Grade 3–4 (Group 2) knee osteoarthritis. Both groups underwent a strengthening plus proprioception exercise 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Our primary scale was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis (WOMAC) scale. The secondary outcome measures were pain intensity level, proprioception, range of motion, muscle strength, physical performance, physical activity, quality of life and patient satisfaction. All evaluations were performed twice, before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: After treatment, there were significant improvements in pain, range of motion, proprioception, muscle strength, functionality, physical performance and quality of life in both groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the total WOMAC scores among groups after treatment (p = 0.086). There was more improvement in hip external rotation range of motion in Group 1 (p = 0.022). No significant difference was found in other secondary outcomes (p > 0.05). As a result of this study, we found that proprioceptive training was effective on pain, joint position sense, range of motion, muscle strength, functionality, physical performance and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis in all radiological stages. However, there was no difference between the groups, except for hip external rotation angles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Trends in Physiotherapy Care: Improvements in Functionality, Pain Management, and Quality of Life)

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