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Background: Due to the prevalence and incidence worldwide of type 2 diabetes, and the significant role physical activity plays in these patients, a systematic review has been conducted to find out the effects that high-intensity interval training has on inflammatory biomarkers in subjects with type 2 diabetes. This project aims to determine the effect this training modality has on inflammatory biomarkers, in addition to observing its effects on the values of body composition and determining if this is a more effective, less effective or equally effective alternative to standard aerobic or resistance training. Methods: A search was conducted in the months of November and December 2020 on different databases: Pubmed, WoS and PEDro. A protocol for this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42021281186). The studies selected met the previously defined inclusion criteria, and the methodological quality of the papers used was evaluated according to the Downs and Black Checklist. Results: Out of 46 studies found, seven were included. The most relevant data concerning the characteristics of the clinical trials and HIIT characteristics, the values of body composition and the biomarkers under study were extracted from each study. Moreover, the results obtained from the different studies were described. Conclusions: HIIT could have an effect on inflammatory biomarkers. There is likely to be a relationship between changes in inflammatory profile and fat loss. A controlled diet may be a good complement to reduce the inflammatory profile. Further studies are required to determine whether HIIT is a better, worse or an equivalent alternative to medium-intensity aerobic exercise to improve the inflammatory profile.

Background: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the global postural re-education (GPR) program's effectiveness compared to other exercise programs in subjects with persistent chronic low back pain. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out using PRISMA2020. An electronic search of scientific databases was performed from their inception to January 2021. Randomized controlled trials that analyzed pain and patient-reported outcomes were included in this review. Four meta-analyses were performed. The outcomes analyzed were disability due to back pain and pain. The risk of bias and quality of evidence were evaluated. The final search was conducted in March. Results: Seven trials were included, totaling 334 patients. The results showed improvement in pain measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (Standardised Mean Difference (SMD) = -0.69; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), -1.01 to -0.37; p < 0.0001), Numerical Pain Scale (NRS) (SMD = -0.40; 95% CI, -0.87 to 0.06); p = 0.022), VAS + NRS (SMD = -1.32; 95% CI, -1.87 to -0.77; p < 0.0001) and function (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)) (SMD = -0.55; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.27; p < 0.0001) after GPR treatment. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides reliable evidence that GPR may be an effective method for treating LBP by decreasing pain and improving function, with strong evidence., This research was partially financially supported by the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership for Higher Education Programme (Key Action 203) [Grant number: 2018-1-PL01-KA203-051055].

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in children, however, the techniques and interventions applied allow the cure of 80% of diagnosed cases. The aim of this review was to determine the benefits of a health and physical activity promotion programme to reduce pain and fatigue symptoms in children and adolescents with cancer. The databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science and PEDro were searched between December 2020 and January 2021 to elaborate this review, using the keywords child, cancer, exercise, fatigue and pain. The review was preregistered in PROSPERO (ID CRD42021262183). Six studies, out of 937 identified at baseline, were finally included in the review: four randomised controlled trials and two quasi-experimental studies. The total sample size of all the included studies was of 474 participants with very different types of cancer and evolution, and outcome variables were pain, fatigue, physical activity level, self-efficacy and quality of life. A health and physical activity promotion programme seems to improve fatigue in paediatric cancer patients and survivors, but no significant results were found related to pain.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between muscle thickness and echo intensity with cognitive and physical dimensions like functional capacity measured in older people. This cross-sectional study involved 20 older adults (15 women and 5 men, mean age +/- SD: 85 +/- 7 years, body mass index: 25 +/- 3 kg/m(2)) from a geriatric centre in Malaga (Spain). Anthropometric measurements, cognitive assessment with Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and Motor Memory test, Physical Performance with Short Physical Performance Battery, and muscle strength were tested. Additionally, using B-mode ultrasonography, images of wrist flexors, biceps brachii, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were captured, and muscle thickness and echo intensity variables were extracted. An association between muscle parameters assessed by ultrasonography and cognitive and physical dimensions were found in older people. Echo intensity was the best predictor in a set of regression models with different muscle parameters and a battery of cognitive and physical tests in older people. Echo intensity adjusted by handgrip strength could be a low cost and ambulatory index and an indirect and reversible indicator of functional capacity., This work was partial financial supported by the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership for Higher Education Programme (Key Action 203) [Grant number: 2018-1-PL01-KA203-051055].

Background: the main objective of this study was to analyze the potential short-, medium- and long-term effects of a therapeutic physical exercise (TFE) programme on the functionality of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, measured with the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Scale (ALSFRS-R) scale. Methods: a systematic review of the PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane, Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDline) databases was carried out. The information was filtered using the following Medical Subjects Heading (MeSH) terms: “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”, “Physical Therapy”, and “Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine”. The internal validity of the selected documents was evaluated using the PEDro scale. The study included clinical trials published in the last 5 years in which one of the interventions was therapeutic physical exercise in patients with ALS, using the ALSFRS-R as the main outcome variable and functional variables as secondary variables. Results: 10 clinical trials were analyzed, with an internal validity of 5–7 points. The TFE groups showed significant short-, medium- and long-term differences, obtaining a mean difference of 5.8 points compared to the 7.6 points obtained by the control groups, at six months, measured with ALSFRS-R. In addition, the participants showed significant improvements in functional abilities in the short, medium and long terms. Conclusions: Therapeutic physical exercise could contribute to slowing down the deterioration of the musculature of patients with ALS, thus facilitating their performance in activities of daily living, based on the significant differences shown by these individuals in the short, medium and long term both in subjective perception, measured with ALSFRS-R, and functional capacities.

Background: to analyze the changes that a therapeutic physical exercise program is capable of causing in the functionality of patients suffering from ALS and in addition, to analyze the respiratory capacity. Methods: a systematic review of the PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane, SciELO, PEDro, CINAHL and MEDline databases is carried out. The information was filtered using the following MeSH terms: "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis", "Physical Therapy", "Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine". Clinical trials published in the last 5 years were included in which one of the interventions was therapeutic physical exercise in patients with ALS, which included the ALSFRS-R as a result variable. Results: 10 clinical trials with a total of 421 patients were analyzed, of which 183 underwent rehabilitation with physical exercise and were part of the case group; the rest belong to the control group and their treatment was mostly passive. The observed trend is of a decrease of approximately 6 points in the ALSFRS-R scale at 6 months in the case groups; however, no behavior pattern was met in the controls. Conclusions: Therapeutic physical exercise could contribute to slow down the deterioration of the musculature of people with ALS, thus facilitating the performance of their daily activities.What do you want to do ?New mailCopy

Due to high prevalence of spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and functional limitations that pain and gait alterations cause, is necessary to investigate possible benefits of Dry Needling (DN) in this pathology. A case study of a 35 years old Secondary Progressive MS woman with 6,5 points on Expanded Disability Status Scale by performing deep DN intervention on Rectus Femoris (RF) and Gastronecmius Medialis (GM) muscles of higher spasticity lower limb was carried out. Spasticity level, perceived pain, range of motion (ROM) and superficial electromyography activity of this lower limb, together with functional capacity, life quality and Spatial-Temporal Gait parameters before and after intervention were evaluated. After intervention, spasticity decrease (especially on RF) and gait speed increase was noticed. Also, less muscle activity on walking and less delay time of step execution was observed. Our results suggest a functional improvement of the patient’s gait motion, but conclusive changes were not objectified in pain perception and ROM. More research studies about the effect of DN in MS must be necessary in order to obtain better evidence.

Background To analyse the reliability, variance and execution time of the Extended Timed Up and Go (Extended TUG) test in three age groups of elderly participants (G1: 55–64 years; G2: 65–74 years; G3: 75–85 years). Methods An analytical cross-sectional study of 114 recruited participants (63 women) of average age 70.17 (± 7.3) years was undertaken. Each participant performed the Extended TUG three consecutive times, with a rest break between tests of 120 s. Both the intragroup and intergroup reliability of the measurements in the Extended TUG were analysed. Results The reliability of the Extended TUG test is excellent for the first and second decades but drops down to good for the third decade. Specifically, intragroup reliability ranged from 0.784 for G3 to 0.977 for G1 (G2 = 0.858). Intergroup reliability, compared with intragroup reliability, was slightly lower, ranging between 0.779 for G3 and 0.972 for G1 (G2 = 0.853). Conclusion The reliability of the Extended TUG test progressively decreases with increasing age, being excellent for the younger age groups and good for the oldest age group.

Background: Epidemiological studies have suggested a pathophysiological relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in AD and its relationship with neurocognitive function improvement. Methods: Systematic review conducted following PRISMA’s statements. Relevant studies were searched in MEDLINE, PEDro, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL and SportDicus. Original studies in which CPAP treatment was developel in AD patients have been included. Results: 5 studies, 3 RCTs (Randomized controlled trials) and 2 pilot studies. In all RCTs the CPAP intervention was six weeks; 3 weeks of therapeutic CPAP vs. 3 weeks placebo CPAP (pCPAP) followed by 3 weeks tCPAP in patients with AD and OSA. The two pilot studies conducted a follow-up in which the impact on cognitive impairment was measured. Conclusions: CPAP treatment in AD patients decreases excessive daytime sleepiness and improves sleep quality. There are indications that cognitive deterioration function measured with the Mini Mental Scale decreases or evolves to a lesser extent in Alzheimer’s patients treated with CPAP. Caregivers observe stabilization in disease progression with integration of CPAP. More research is needed on the topic presented.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training compared with no intervention and other types of training interventions for people with Type 2 diabetes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that used high-interval intensity training to improve anthropometric, cardiopulmonary and metabolic conditions were conducted. The search was performed during October−December 2017 using the databases PubMed, Web of Science and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale. A total of 10 articles were included in this meta-analysis. After statistical analysis, favorable results were obtained for high-Intensity Interval Training compared with control (non-intervention): [Weight: Standardized mean difference (SMD) = −2.09; confidence interval (CI) 95%: (−3.41; −0.78); body-mass index: SMD = −3.73; CI 95%: (−5.53; −1.93); systolic blood pressure: SMD = −4.55; CI 95%: (−8.44; −0.65); VO2max: SMD = 12.20; CI 95%: (0.26; 24.14); HbA1c: SMD = −3.72; CI 95%: (−7.34; −0.10)], moderate intensity continuous training: [body-mass index: SMD = −0.41; CI 95%: (−0.80; −0.03); VO2max: SMD = 1.91; CI 95%: (0.18; 3.64)], and low intensity training: [Weight: SMD = −2.06; CI 95%: (−2.80; −1.31); body-mass index: SMD = −3.04; CI 95%: (−5.16; −0.92); systolic blood pressure: SMD = −2.17; CI 95%: (−3.93; −0.41); HbA1c: SMD = −1.58; CI 95%: (−1.84; −1.33)]. The results show that high-intensity interval training can be a useful strategy in order to improve anthropometric, cardiopulmonary and metabolic parameters in people with Type 2 diabetes. Despite this, it could be essential to clarify and unify criteria in the intervention protocols, being necessary new lines of research.

Spasticity is one of the most frequent and disabling clinical manifestations of patients with stroke. In clinical practice, stretching is the most widely used physiotherapeutic intervention for this population. However, there is no solid evidence for its effectiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of stretching in reducing post-stroke spasticity. Research was carried out until March 2021 in the following scientific databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PEDro. The PEDro scale and the Cochrane collaboration tool were used to assess the methodological quality and risk of bias of the studies. Eight articles were selected for qualitative analysis; six of them contributed information to the meta-analysis. No conclusive evidence was obtained on the effectiveness of stretching in terms of treating spasticity and range of motion in patients with stroke. Further research is necessary in order to determine the effectiveness of the use of stretching in this population, considering the different types of stretching (static and dynamic), the time of application, the measurement of the different components of spasticity, and the extrapolation of functional results., FundingThis research and the APC was partial funded by the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership for Higher Education Program (Key Action 203), grant number 2018-1-PL01-KA203-051055.

Older adults are related to a reduction in physical functionality, as a result of a musculoskeletal system degeneration. In that way, physical exercise has been stated as a suitable intervention to prevent such health problems. Therefore, an adequate assessment of the physical activity and functional fitness levels is needed to plan the individualized intervention. A broad test used to assess the functional fitness level is the 6-minutes walk test (6MWT). It has been previously measured using accelerometer sensors. In views of this background, the main aim of the present study is to use deep learning to extract automatically and to predict the physical activity and functional fitness levels of the older adults through the acceleration signals recorded by a smartphone during the 6MWT. A total of 17 participants were recruited. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and body mass index), physical activity, and functional fitness levels from each participant were recorded. Consecutively, two deep learning-based methods were applied to determine the prediction. According to the results, the proposed method can predict physical activity and functional fitness levels with high accuracy, even using only one cycle. Thus, the approach described in the present work could be implemented in future mobile health systems to identify the physical activity profile of older adults.

New accessible learning methods delivered through mobile mixed reality are becoming possible in education, shifting pedagogy from the use of two dimensional images and videos to facilitating learning via interactive mobile environments. Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows to incorporate virtual data (text, links, audio, video, multimedia, etc) from an object in the real world. For this, we need a device (mobile, tablet, laptop, etc.) with a camera, a software that processes the information, augmented reality activators and a screen where to show the real image together with the recovered data. This is especially important in medical and health education, where the required knowledge acquisition is typically much more experiential, self-directed, and hands-on than in many other disciplines. This project intends to apply the AR with videos to develop appropriate materials for Physiotherapy Degree students of Cadiz University. For this, we will take advantage of the videos about the procedures explained in class that were carried out in the courses 2016-17 and 2017-18 in the teacher innovation projects (sol-201500054614-tra y sol-201700083802-tra). The videos that are most interesting were used to create practice sheets for the subject, so that students can see the video during practice as many times as they want and they can even continue to consult the material after classes to improve their manual ability with physical therapy modalities. The idea is to create some cards of the subject to be able to compare the sensations and the abilities of the students in the techniques learned with AR and in which those cards have not been developed. Finally, students will be surveyed to find out their satisfaction with the learning method included in the subject. The number of students who participated in the research was 45. The questionnaire used to assess student satisfaction was Teaching Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSD) framed in the evaluation tool 'eValua', designed by the Continuing Professional Development Project of the Andalusian Agency for Healthcare Quality (Spain). The CSD is presented as a reliable and valid tool for measuring satisfaction with continuing education in health. The global valuation with the activity obtained a value of 8.62, considered very high. After the analysis, we can confirm how the use of emerging technologies could be an appropriate and useful practice for students to play an active role in their education and being able to develop higher order skills and digital competences for the implementation of AR tools from an educational and didactic perspective.

Short-term and mid-term comparison of the efficacy of a multimodal program that incorporates a therapeutic workout program, medication review, diet adjustment and health education, in comparison to the standard medical practice in the improvement of the neuromuscular and physiological condition. Furthermore, it is intended to analyse the maintenance of these effects in a long-term follow-up (12 months) from the onset of the intervention. A randomized clinical trial of elderly frail patients drawn from the Clinical Management Unit “Tiro de Pichon”, Health District of Malaga, will be included in the study (after meeting the inclusion / exclusion criteria) will be randomized in two groups: a control group that will undergo an intervention consistent of medication review + diet adjustment + health education (regular workout recommendations within a complete advice on healthy lifestyles) and an experimental group whose intervention will consist of a multimodal treatment: therapeutic workout program+ medication review+ diet adjustment + health education. The sociodemographic, clinical and tracing variables will be reflected at the beginning of the study. In addition, the follow-up variables will be gathered at the second and sixth months after the beginning of the treatment and at the third and sixth months after the treatment (follow-up). The follow-up variables that will be measured are: body mass index, general health condition, fatigue, frailty, motor control, attention- concentration- memory, motor memory, spatial orientation, grip strength, balance (static, semi-dynamic), gait speed and metabolomics. A descriptive analysis of the sociodemographic variables of the participants will be conducted. One-Factor ANOVA will be used for the Within-Subject analysis and as for the Between-Subject analysis, the outcome variables between both the groups in each moment of the data collection will be compared. A multimodal program that incorporates a therapeutic workout program, medication review, diet adjustment and health education may be effective treatment to reduce the functional decline in elderly. The results of the study will provide information on the possible strengths and benefits in multimodal program in elderly. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02772952 registered May 2017.

Muscle thickness, measured by ultrasonography, has been investigated for nutritional assessment in older adults, however the associations between muscle ultrasound parameters in the lower limb and nutritional status have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle thickness echo intensity (EI), and nutritional status in home care residents. A cross sectional study was conducted involving 19 older adults from a home care in Malaga (Spain). We evaluated lower leg muscles by ultrasound, anthropometric data, physical function (measured by gait speed and the Short Physical Performance Battery), strength (handgrip and knee extensors strength) and nutritional status across the Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF). We found that muscle thickness assessed by ultrasonography independently predicts nutritional status by MNA-SF and after adjusting for handgrip strength or age and sex. As secondary findings, we found relations between strength, functional capacity and the MNA-SF test. These results suggest that lower leg muscle ultrasound parameters could be used as a low-cost objective method for muscle evaluation in nutritional assessment in older adults.

Ultrasound is a low-cost, safe and accessible tool to use on muscle mass assessment. The relations between muscle thickness and lower limb function have not been investigated in institutionalized elderly people. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations among sit-to-stand capacity, ultrasound-measured rectus femoris muscle thickness, hand grip strength and anthropometrics in a population of institutionalized older adults. Twelve older adults (nine women and three men, mean age ± SD 86 ± 7 years, body mass index 24 ± 3 kg/m2) participated in this cross-sectional study. Sit-to-stand capacity using five-repetition sit-to-stand test, rectus femoris muscle thickness using B-mode ultrasonography, handgrip and anthropometric were measured. The relationships of the variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis. Significant bivariate correlations were found between rectus femoris muscle thickness and sit-to-stand test (p

This article belongs to the Special Issue Spondyloarthritis: From Pathophysiology to Treatment., The aim of this study was to determine the role of global postural reeducation for people with ankylosing spondylitis. We compared the effects of treatments on pain, dysfunction (using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index), range of motion, and chest expansion in a specific population aged over 18 years old with ankylosing spondylitis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statements. The search was conducted using the PubMed, Physiotherapy Database (PEDro), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Web of Science (WoS) databases. Clinical trials and systematic reviews/meta-analysis were reviewed. Results: 154 studies were found. Finally, four were included. Conclusions: global postural reeducation is beneficial for ankylosing spondylitis, but no more so than other conventional treatments, except for spinal mobility, where Global Postural Reeducation demonstrated an advantage.

Este trabalho foi financiado pelo Concurso Anual para Projetos de Investigação, Desenvolvimento, Inovação e Criação Artística (IDI&CA) 2016 do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. Código de referência: IPL/2016/SFQ2017_ESTeSL Over the last decades, the world elderly population has increased exponentially and this tendency will continue during the coming years; from 2000 to 2050, people over 60 will double and those over 80 will quadruple. Loss of independence occurs as people age due to mobility restrictions, frailty, and decreased functional fitness and cognitive abilities. Evidence has shown that appropriate programs and policies contribute to keep older adults healthy and independent over time. The purpose of this chapter is to report the results of our 3-year follow-up study designed to characterize functional physical fitness in a sample of Portuguese community-dwelling older adults to propose a set of functional parameters that decline the most. We studied a group of 43 elderly people, aged 60 and over. Variables assessed on the participants were anthropometric measurements, functional capacity with the Senior Fitness Test battery (muscle strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility, agility, and dynamic balance), handgrip strength, levels of physical activity, and balance. Three years after the first assessment, a second assessment of the same variables was conducted. We analyzed what were the variables that, for this group, were related to a healthier aging and the relation with different physical activity levels. Our study showed that the distance covered in 6-min walk test and handgrip strength seem to explain a great amount of variability on functional variables that have changed on this period (68% of balance, lower and upper functional strength, respectively) and the active participants showed fewer decrements with aging in anthropometric and functional variables than those inactive or insufficiently active (p < 0.05). Greater importance should be given to prescription of exercise targeting older adults and, specifically, walking and manual activities should be given more attention as components of a community exercise program. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The aim of this study was to identify the series of kinematic variables demonstrating the greatest precision in discriminating between the function of two groups of elderly persons (frail and non-frail) in the 10 m expanded timed up and go (ETUG) test using inertial sensors embedded in the iPhone 4(®). A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the kinematic variables with the highest degree of precision in discriminating between the two groups. The predicted capability of the kinematic variables was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. The sample comprised 30 participants over 65 years old, 14 frail and 16 non-frail, assessed for frailty syndrome using the Fried criteria. Acceleration variables discriminated between the participant groups in the study; specifically these were the peak negative acceleration variables for motion axes x, y and z. In terms of sensitivity, the values were greater than or equal to those for the variable traditionally used to discriminate in the ETUG test, namely time. The kinematic parameters obtained from the internal inertial sensors in the iPhone 4(®) are promising additions to the ETUG analysis. There are encouraging signs that the analyses of these parameters in the separate phases of the ETUG procedure offer the potential for improved discrimination between frail and non-frail individuals. However, further in-depth study is required to verify the findings.

The purpose of this study was to identify the physicalfitness (PF) level of a cohort of elderly people that are subjected tophysical activity (PA), and to establish a regression model for theevaluation of health status (HS) of elderly people based on their PF.This is a Cross-sectional study. Consists of 114 Participants over60 years old, that were recruited from a physical activity program.Were measured variables about anthropometric characteristics,jumping tests with jumping platform, dynamic and static balance, riskof falls, lung capacity, HS and quality of life (QoL). We used Pearson’slinear correlation with 95% Zr. We looked for simple and multiple regression models. We used the bayesianinformation criterion approach and statistical inference to find and calculated a numerical estimate of thebest regression model. We used the dependent variable physical function of SF-12. Physical fitness variablesselected for the models were weight, height, Countermovement Jump test (flight time), Functional Reachtest, lumbosacral flexion mobility, Extended Timed Get Up and Go (ETGUG) (10 meters time score andtotal time score). The HS and QoL measurement are important for the prevention of injury during physicalexercise and should be conducted whenever is possible. The regression models proposed in this study can beused as an initial screening of HS or QoL at fitness facilities and fitness clubs that do not provide HS or QoLquestionnaires. However, these models are not an alternative to health care for a detailed determination ofHS and is not intended for use as a final evaluation.

Background. Criterion-related validity of a self-administered questionnaire listed as gold standard requires objective testing. The aim of this study was to analyze the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) using functional variable measures (dynamic plantar pressure and foot strength). Materials and methods. A total of 22 elderly healthy participants (13 women and 9 men) were screened by interview and physical examination for foot or gait abnormalities. Foot strength, footprint pressure, and foot health status were measured. Results. All the items of the FHSQ show significant correlation with functional variables, but general foot health shows the highest correlation with the 4 physical variables related to plantar pressure (R2 = 0.741), followed by foot pain (R2 = 0.652). Conclusion. A set of different, directly measured physical variables related to foot strength and plantar pressure significantly correlate with the FHSQ dimensions. Level of Evidence: Cross-sectional trial

Background: The capacity to diagnosys, quantify and evaluate movement beyond the general confines of a clinical environment under effectiveness conditions may alleviate rampant strain on limited, expensive and highly specialized medical resources. An iPhone 4® mounted a three dimensional accelerometer subsystem with highly robust software applications. The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability and concurrent criterion-related validity of the accelerations with an iPhone 4® in an Extended Timed Get Up and Go test. Extended Timed Get Up and Go is a clinical test with that the patient get up from the chair and walking ten meters, turn and coming back to the chair. Methods: A repeated measure, cross-sectional, analytical study. Test-retest reliability of the kinematic measurements of the iPhone 4® compared with a standard validated laboratory device. We calculated the Coefficient of Multiple Correlation between the two sensors acceleration signal of each subject, in each sub-stage, in each of the three Extended Timed Get Up and Go test trials. To investigate statistical agreement between the two sensors we used the Bland-Altman method. Results: With respect to the analysis of the correlation data in the present work, the Coefficient of Multiple Correlation of the five subjects in their triplicated trials were as follows: in sub-phase Sit to Stand the ranged between r =0.991 to 0.842; in Gait Go, r =0.967 to 0.852; in Turn, 0.979 to 0.798; in Gait Come, 0.964 to 0.887; and in Turn to Stand to Sit, 0.992 to 0.877. All the correlations between the sensors were significant (p

Objective: The aim of this article is to review systematically and appraise critically the literature surrounding the research, comparing inertial sensors with any kind of gold standard; this gold standard has to be a tool for measuring human movement (e.g. electrogoniometry, optoelectronic systems, electromagnetic systems, etc.). Method: A MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDRo and SCOPUS search of published English language articles was conducted, which focused on articles that compared inertial sensors to any kind of gold standard (e.g. electrogoniometry, optoelectronic systems, electromagnetic systems, etc.), from 2000 to 2010. Two independent reviewers completed the study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Español tool was used to assess study quality, and a reliability comparison between the systems was made. Results: Fourteen out of 242 articles were reviewed, which displayed a similar threat to validity, relating to sample selection and operator blinding. Other study limitations are discussed. A comparison between the different systems showed good agreement across a range of tasks and anatomical regions. Conclusions: This review concludes that inertial sensors can offer an accurate and reliable method to study human motion, but the degree of accuracy and reliability is site and task specific.

By contrast, an active lifestyle, seems to favor the reduction of pain, time to return to work and disability rather than bed rest. It has also been shown to maintain this level of activity promotes a faster recovery, reducing the risk of relapse and more chronic pathology. However, when attempting to go beyond the trigger level, introducing therapeutic exercises as part of treatment, we observe that the results are equal to or worse than any other conservative treatment1,8-11. Moreover, therapeutic exercise is not advised in many clinical practice guidelines from different countries as a means of intervention in the early stages of low back pain episode1,3,4,12-16.

Background: Vertical jump tests are used in athletics and rehabilitation to measure physical performance in people of different age ranges and fitness. Jumping ability can be analyzed through different variables, and the most commonly used are fly time and jump height. They can be obtained by a variety of measuring devices, but most are limited to laboratory use only. The current generation of smartphones contains inertial sensors that are able to record kinematic variables for human motion analysis, since they are tools for easy access and portability for clinical use. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the kinematics characteristics using the inertial sensor incorporated in the iPhone 4S, the lower limbs strength through a manual dynamometer, and the jump variables obtained with a contact mat in the squat jump and countermovement jump tests (fly time and jump height) from a cohort of healthy people. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on a population of healthy young adults. Twenty-seven participants performed three trials (n=81 jumps) of squat jump and countermovement jump tests. Acceleration variables were measured through a smartphone’s inertial sensor. Additionally, jump variables from a contact mat and lower limbs dynamometry were collected. Results: In the present study, the kinematic variables derived from acceleration through the inertial sensor of a smartphone iPhone 4S, dynamometry of lower limbs with a handheld dynamometer, and the height and flight time with a contact mat have been described in vertical jump tests from a cohort of young healthy subjects. The development of the execution has been described, examined and identified in a squat jump test and countermovement jump test under acceleration variables that were obtained with the smartphone. Conclusions: The built-in iPhone 4S inertial sensor is able to measure acceleration variables while performing vertical jump tests for the squat jump and countermovement jump in healthy young adults. The acceleration kinematics variables derived from the smartphone’s inertial sensor are higher in the countermovement jump test than the squat jump test. [JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2015;2(2):e7]

The diagnosis of frailty is based on physical impairments and clinicians have indicated that early detection is one of the most effective methods for reducing the severity of physical frailty. Maybe, an alternative to the classical diagnosis could be the instrumentalization of classical functional testing, as Romberg test or Timed Get Up and Go Test. The aim of this study was (I) to measure and describe the magnitude of accelerometry values in the Romberg test in two groups of frail and non-frail elderly people through instrumentation with the iPhone 4 ® , (II) to analyse the performances and differences between the study groups, and (III) to analyse the performances and differences within study groups to characterise accelerometer responses to increasingly difficult challenges to balance. This is a cross-sectional study of 18 subjects over 70 years old, 9 frail subjects and 9 non-frail subjects. The non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test was used for between-group comparisons in means values derived from different tasks. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to analyse differences between different variants of the test in both independent study groups. The highest difference between groups was found in the accelerometer values with eyes closed and feet parallel: maximum peak acceleration in the lateral axis (p

Background Physical conditions through gait and other functional task are parameters to consider for frailty detection. The aim of the present study is to measure and describe the variability of acceleration, angular velocity and trunk displacement in the ten meter Extended Timed Get-Up-and-Go test in two groups of frail and non-frail elderly people through instrumentation with the iPhone4® smartphone. Secondly, to analyze the differences and performance of the variance between the study groups (frail and non-frail). This is a cross-sectional study of 30 subjects aged over 65 years, 14 frail subjects and 16 non-frail subjects. Results The highest difference between groups in the Sit-to-Stand and Stand-to-Sit subphases was in the y axis (vertical vector). The minimum acceleration in the Stand-to-Sit phase was -2.69 (-4.17 / -0.96) m/s2 frail elderly versus -8.49 (-12.1 / -5.23) m/s2 non-frail elderly, p