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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disease that, due to dyspnea, decreases patients' physical function and quality of life. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of water-based exercise (WE) in improving functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength in patients with COPD. It consisted of a systematic review and meta-analysis of eight randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from the last 10 years, found in PubMed, PEDro, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Methodological quality was analyzed using the PEDro scale and the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Regarding the evaluation of functional capacity, mainly assessed were lung function, respiratory muscle strength, and maximal or aerobic exercise. The results showed that WE improves functional capacity compared to a non-exercising control group (SMD: 73.42; IC 95%: 40.40 to 106.45; I2: 0%). There are no statistically significant differences between a WE treatment and a land exercise (LE) treatment (p = 0.24) in functional capacity, nor with respect to respiratory muscle strength (p = 0.97). These data should be interpreted with caution, as more RCTs with aquatic intervention in COPD patients are needed to elucidate whether there are differences between WE or LE according to patient characteristics and comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which fatigue is one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms, and it is believed to be associated with respiratory involvement. Individuals who are physically inactive for long lengths of time display greater symptomatic fatigue. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the effectiveness of breathing exercises within rehabilitation programs in improving fatigue in patients with MS. A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro, was conducted up until November 2022. Nine articles, with a total of 290 participants, were selected. The studies combined breathing exercises with other treatment techniques, such as Ai-Chi, Pilates, and upper and lower limb exercises. Four studies used the Modified Fatigue Severity scale, observing a reduction in the perception of fatigue, in favor of the experimental group. Incorporating respiratory exercises into physical exercise programs, such as Ai-Chi and Pilates, may help to reduce the perception of fatigue. However, the heterogeneity in the protocols and outcome measures makes the generalization of the results difficult. Nonetheless, further studies that include specific respiratory variables are needed to analyze whether this perceived improvement is associated with enhanced pulmonary capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the prevalence of gambling disorder (GD) and problem gambling has remained stable in recent years, the expansion of legalized gambling is considered a public health problem leading to significant personal, familial, and social impacts. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of various physiotherapy interventions on the symptoms of patients with GD. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in December 2022, using descriptors related to physiotherapy and GD in ten databases. Inclusion criteria were designed to identify clinical trials published in the last decade. Eight studies were identified, with a total of 357 patients, and the main variables measured were anxiety and depression symptoms, gambling craving, and gambling desire. The interventions included aerobic exercise, relaxation techniques, and non-invasive brain stimulation. Results suggest that physiotherapy may help with GD symptoms, although more research is needed to strengthen these findings. These findings highlight the potential of physiotherapy in treating GD and provide a basis for future research to better understand the effectiveness of these interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome continues to increase considerably, having serious healthcare, social and economic repercussions. The objective of this study is to describe the effectiveness of telerehabilitation to alleviate the symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome. A systematic review was conducted using the information available on four databases (PubMed, Medline, Scielo and PEDRo) on these patients until November 2022. The MeSH search terms were: Post-COVID syndrome, Post-COVID-19, Long COVID, Telerehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Virtual, Home care. Six articles were included which provided information on 140 patients, detailing their symptomatology, assessment, treatment and monitoring. The variables measured were dyspnea, fatigue, physical performance and quality of life. All studies included aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Most notable among the techniques used were rib cage expansion exercises, respiratory control and thoracic cage stretching, patient education, Mindfulness and virtual reality games to address physical, mental and relaxation aspects. The use of telerehabilitation could be an effective tool for the treatment of persistent symptoms after suffering from COVID-19. It has been shown in these studies that patients improve both their physical performance and their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) may be defined as involuntary urine loss, which can be diagnosed based on patient-reported measures and is a hygiene and social problem in those who have it, affecting their quality of life negatively. Objective: The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of distinct physiotherapy techniques used in the treatment of UI in women through a systematic review of the existing literature. The scales and instruments used for the assessment and follow-up of UI were described. Methods: On searching the PubMed, Dialnet, PEDro, and SciELo databases, 16 articles, with information on 1220 patients that comply with the inclusion criteria and conform to the proposed objectives were obtained, limiting the publication period to 2007–2016. The PRISMA statement was adopted. Results: The "Pad Test" is a commonly used diagnostic test and bladder diaries on paper; the Oxford scale was used in the assessment of pelvic floor muscle strength. Distinct protocols and techniques have been described in the treatment of UI in women, namely, pelvic floor exercises, vaginal cones, biofeedback, and electrostimulation. Upon analysis of the content of the articles, the quality of the included clinical trials was determined using the PEDro scale. Conclusions: Studies included in this work propose that physiotherapy treatment may improve UI, the patients' quality of life, and social relations in women. It is necessary to establish group treatment protocols for women with UI, supervised by a physiotherapist to reduce the financial burden incurred from this health problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of health and social policies is to encourage older people more longevity, remain free of disability and experience quality of life while living in their homes. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of 473 patients diagnosed with motor impairment in primary care, the objectives of home-based rehabilitation and its functional impact.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Almería Health District. The analysed variables included age, gender, secondary diagnosis, Barthel Index (BI), physiotherapeutic objectives and techniques, and number of sessions.Results: The sample had a mean age of 83 years, and 59% were women. The assessed conditions with a high prevalence included osteoarticular pathology (55%), Alzheimer's disease (15.1%), cardiovascular disease (13.7%) and stroke (6.5%). The techniques applied mainly consisted of functional exercises (57.1%), caregiver education (13.8%), and technical assistance (5.7%). There were statistically significant differences (t = -15.79; p < 0.001) between initial (X = 34.8) and final BI (X = 48.1), with an improvement of 13.4 points in patients' functional capacity (95% confidence interval [CI]: -15.0 to -11.7). An equation was constructed to predict patients' final BI as a function of the initial BI using a multiple linear regression model. The regression model explained 78% of the variance in patients with motor impairment.Conclusions: Important improvements were obtained in terms of functional capacity with a mean of ten sessions of physiotherapy. Lower patient age was correlated with higher initial and final functional capacities in primary care. This study aimed to present a useful starting point for decision making among management and health administration regarding this population group by approaching the process from the reality of practice and in relation to the rehabilitation provided.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02715245 ; Date of registration: 18 January 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare home-based rehabilitation (RITH) and standard outpatient rehabilitation in a hospital setting, in terms of improving the functional recovery and quality of life of stroke patients. Study Design and Setting: This was a prospective cohort study in Andalusia (Spain). Participants: One hundred and forty-five patients completed the outcome data. Measures: Daily activities were measured by the Barthel index, Canadian Neurological Scale (to assess mental state), Tinetti scale (balance and gait), and Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36 to compare the quality of life). Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the clinical characteristics of patients in the initial measurement, except for age and mental state (younger and with greater neurological impairment in the hospital group). After physical therapy, both groups showed statistically significant improvements from baseline in each of the measures. These improvements were better in RITH patients than in the hospital patients on all functionality scales with a smaller number of sessions. Conclusions: Home rehabilitation is at least as effective as the outpatient rehabilitation programs in a hospital setting, in terms of recovery of functionality in post-stroke patients. Overall quality of life is severely impaired in both groups, as stroke is a very disabling disease that radically affects patients’ lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The progressive incorporation of the physiotherapist as part of the multidisciplinary team in geriatric institutions around the country has become evident. But data on the degree of satisfaction of users with this service are almost non-existent, due to the lack of reliable instruments for measuring it. Objective. Design and validate a useful questionnaire which defines the satisfaction of users of geriatric centers with the physiotherapy service they receive. Methodology. Different thematic blocks were established to compose the main issues in the role of the physiotherapist within a residence, information that was submitted to a panel of expert's consultation. Following the analysis carried out by these judges-experts, generated through consensus a series of items that would form the provisional questionnaire on satisfaction with the physiotherapy service taking into account the validity of content, construct, clarity and intelligibility of information. This provisional questionnaire was tested on a sample of 100 users; the final questionnaire was submitted to the assessment of a sample of 353 institutionalized elders in Andalusia. Results and conclusions. Provides a validated questionnaire that allows expressing satisfaction with the physiotherapy service in nursing homes. The information that this questionnaire can generate could contribute to reveal what are the current strengths and weaknesses of the physiotherapy services provided and opening new horizons both for research and for the management and improvement of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical training at home by making individuals play active video games is a new therapeutic strategy to improve the condition of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We reviewed studies on the use of video games and their benefits in the treatment of CF. We conducted a systematic review with data from six databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, and Cochrane library plus) since 2010, according to PRISMA standards. The descriptors were: "Cystic Fibrosis", "Video Game", "Gaming Console", "Pulmonary Rehabilitation", "Physiotherapy", and "Physical Therapy". Nine articles with 320 participants met the inclusion criteria and the study objective. Patients who played active video games showed a high intensity of exercise and higher ventilatory and aerobic capacity compared to the values of these parameters in tests such as the cardiopulmonary stress test or the six-minute walk test. Adequate values of metabolic demand in these patients were recorded after playing certain video games. A high level of treatment adherence and satisfaction was observed in both children and adults. Although the quality of the included studies was moderate, the evidence to confirm these results was insufficient. More robust studies are needed, including those on evaluation and health economics, to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]