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Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

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A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 7763

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hana I. Alsobayel

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Guest Editor

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Interests: physical therapy and rehabilitation; digital health innovations; musculoskeletal health; self-management and behavioral change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders can be caused by the impairment of body structures, such as muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and bones, which can impact how the body functions. Common characteristics are persistent pain, activity limitations, and participation restrictions, often affecting a person’s independence, ability to work, and quality of life. Globally, MSK disorders were listed in the top five of the most common noncommunicable diseases in 2011-12, leading to significant socioeconomic problems, with projections that the number of people living with a disability caused by an MSK disorder is likely to rise, further impacting healthcare resources.

The majority of MSK disorders are managed conservatively and/or can be self-limiting; however, a proportion, estimated to be between 15 and 20%, do seek help and support from healthcare practitioners. Physical therapy and rehabilitation remain the most popular referral options for moderate to severe MSK problems, with good short- and long-term outcomes. At least one in every three people in the world needs rehabilitation at some point during the course of their disease or injury. The highest contribution to the need for rehabilitation comes from musculoskeletal disorders.

This Special Issue on MSK disorders, physical therapy, and rehabilitation will address evidence-based approaches to the management of these disorders, with a special focus on bio-psycho-social models of care.

Dr. Hana I. Alsobayel
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

musculoskeletal
physical therapy
rehabilitation
injury
evidence-based modalities
bio-psycho-social
pain

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Immediate Effects of Muscle Energy Technique in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients with Functional Leg Length Discrepancy: A Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Trial

by Jung-Dae Yoon, Jin-Hwa Jung, Hwi-Young Cho and Ho-Jin Shin

Healthcare 2024, 12(1), 53; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare12010053 - 26 Dec 2023

Viewed by 892

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of muscle energy technique (MET) on pelvic alignment, leg length, pain, and fatigue in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients with leg length discrepancy (LLD). Forty-two CLBP patients with LLD volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to the MET group (n = 21) and placebo group (n = 21). The intervention group performed three METs with 5 s of isometric contraction and 30 s of rest once, and the placebo group performed three times the placebo-MET, maintaining the same posture as the MET group without muscle isometric contraction. X-ray equipment, tape measure, and visual analog scale were used to evaluate pelvic alignment, leg length, pain, and fatigue before and after each intervention. In comparison pre- and postintervention, only the MET group showed significant changes in pelvic alignment, leg length, pain, and fatigue (p < 0.05). In comparison between groups, there were significant differences in all variables (pelvic alignment, leg length, pain, fatigue) (p < 0.05). The results of this study confirmed the therapeutic effect of MET for improving pelvic alignment, functional LLD, pain, and fatigue in CLBP patients with functional LLD. Future research is needed to evaluate the long-term effect on more chronic low back pain patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation)

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11 pages, 960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Effects of Centralization of the Glenohumeral Joint and Dynamic Humeral Centering on Shoulder Pain, Disability, and Grip Strength in Patients with Secondary Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

by Yong-Hee Kim, Hwi-Young Cho and Sung-Hyeon Kim

Healthcare 2023, 11(22), 2914; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare11222914 - 07 Nov 2023

Viewed by 850

Abstract

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in adults and is caused by muscle imbalance around the shoulder joint, which is referred to as secondary SIS. Centralization of the glenohumeral joint (CGH), one of the intervention methods for this, targets strengthening the control ability of the rotator cuff. Dynamic humeral centering (DHC) targets the learning of selective contractile function of the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi as depressors of the humeral head. This study aims to determine the short-term effects of CGH and DHC on pain, disability, and grip strength in patients with secondary SIS. Forty-eight patients with secondary SIS participated in the study and were randomly allocated into three groups (CGH group (n = 16), DHC group (n = 16), and simple exercise group (n = 16)) and received the intervention for 50 min. The Constant–Murley score was used to assess shoulder pain and disability (primary outcome), and a hand-held dynamometer was used to assess grip strength (secondary outcome). Measurements were performed before the intervention and one day after the intervention. The results showed that the Constant–Murley score improved in the CGH and DHC groups. In addition, pain and disability (range of motion scores) improved in both the CGH and DHC groups. Improvements in disability (shoulder strength) and grip strength were seen only in the CGH group. Both CGH and DHC can be used as methods for short-term pain release and disability recovery in secondary SIS. In particular, CGH appears to be more effective in the short-term improvement in shoulder strength and grip strength. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation)

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11 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Preoperative Patient Socioeconomic Status and Pain-Related Outcomes with Pain and Function in Patients Undergoing Rotator Cuff Repairs

by Borja Perez-Dominguez, Sara Perpiña-Martinez, Sara Garcia-Isidoro, Isabel Escobio-Prieto, Alvaro Manuel Rodriguez-Rodriguez and Maria Blanco-Diaz

Healthcare 2023, 11(20), 2786; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare11202786 - 21 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 873

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing rotator cuff repairs commonly experience postoperative pain and functional limitations. Various socioeconomic and pain-related factors have been recognized as influential in the prognosis of such patients. This study aims to investigate the associations between postoperative pain and functionality and preoperative pain-related outcomes and socioeconomic status in patients undergoing rotator cuff repairs. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between the outcomes of rotator cuff repairs and participants’ socioeconomic status and pain-related measures. Socioeconomic status was assessed through indicators such as educational level, monthly household income, and occupation. Pain-related outcomes included measures of kinesiophobia and pain self-efficacy. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients (68 male, 37 female) were included in the analysis. The findings revealed no significant association between postoperative pain or functionality and the patients’ socioeconomic status (p > 0.05). However, postoperative pain levels demonstrated a significant association with preoperative kinesiophobia (p < 0.05) and pain self-efficacy (p < 0.013). In contrast, functionality did not exhibit a significant association with these measures (p < 0.072 and 0.217, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative pain-related outcomes play a role in postoperative pain levels among patients undergoing rotator cuff repairs. However, they do not appear to be related to functionality. Additionally, socioeconomic status does not significantly impact either pain or functionality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation)

13 pages, 698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responsiveness and Minimal Important Change of the Arabic Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) in Patients with Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders

by Ali H. Alnahdi

Healthcare 2023, 11(19), 2623; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare11192623 - 26 Sep 2023

Viewed by 715

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the responsiveness of the Arabic Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and to quantify its minimal important change (MIC) for improvement. People with upper extremity musculoskeletal problems who were receiving physical therapy were evaluated at baseline and again during a follow-up appointment, with a median time frame of 7 days between the two testing sessions (range of 6 to 72 days). The participants completed the Arabic DASH, Global Assessment of Function (GAF), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Global Rating of Change Scale (GRC). The responsiveness of the Arabic DASH was assessed by examining the pre-specified hypotheses. The MIC for improvement was determined using the receiver operating characteristic method (MIC_ROC) and the predictive modeling method (MIC_pred). As hypothesized, a change in the Arabic DASH demonstrated a significant positive correlation with changes in the GAF (r = 0.69), NPRS (r = 0.68) and GRC (r = 0.73). Consistent with our hypotheses, the DASH change scores could be used to differentiate between participants who improved and those who did not improve (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.87), and they showed a large magnitude of change (effect size = 1.53, standardized response mean = 1.42) in patients who improved. All the hypotheses specified a priori were supported by the results. The Arabic DASH MIC_ROC and MIC_pred were estimated to be 14.22 and 14.85. The interaction between the DASH change and baseline score was not a significant predictor of status (improved vs. not improved) (p = 0.75), indicating that the DASH MIC was not baseline-dependent. The Arabic DASH demonstrated sufficient responsiveness, supporting the idea that the Arabic DASH is capable of detecting changes in upper extremity function over time. The value of the Arabic DASH MIC was similar when estimated using the predictive modeling and ROC methods, and the MIC was not dependent on baseline status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation)

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12 pages, 734 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responsiveness of the Arabic Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand in Patients with Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders

by Mishal M. Aldaihan and Ali H. Alnahdi

Healthcare 2023, 11(18), 2507; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare11182507 - 10 Sep 2023

Viewed by 719

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the responsiveness of the Arabic Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand short version (Quick-DASH) in patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Participants with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (N = 88) under physical therapy care were assessed at initial visit and later at a follow-up visit, and they completed the Arabic Quick-DASH, DASH, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Global Assessment of Function (GAF), and the Global Rating of Change Scale (GRC). Responsiveness of the Arabic Quick-DASH was assessed by examining six pre-defined hypotheses. Consistent with the pre-defined hypotheses, the Arabic Quick-DASH changes scores exhibited significant positive correlation with the change in DASH (r = 0.98), GAF (r = 0.67), NPRS (r = 0.72), and the GRC (r = 0.78). As hypothesized, the Arabic Quick-DASH showed a large effect size above the pre-determined level (ES = 1.61, SRM = 1.49) in patients who reported improved upper extremity function. The Arabic Quick-DASH change score discriminated between patients who reported improvement versus no improvement in upper extremity function (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.90). The results supported 100% (six out of six) of the pre-defined hypotheses. The Arabic Quick-DASH demonstrated sufficient responsiveness where all the pre-defined hypotheses were supported, leading to the established validity of the Arabic Quick-DASH change score as a measure of change in upper extremity function and symptoms. The minimal importance change in the Arabic Quick-DASH needs to be determined in future studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation)

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Other

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21 pages, 6175 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Effects of Exercise Intervention (with and without Joint Mobilization) in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Jong Hyeon Lee, Hyung Gyu Jeon and Yong Jin Yoon

Healthcare 2023, 11(10), 1504; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare11101504 - 22 May 2023

Viewed by 2899

Abstract

This review aimed to investigate the effects of exercise and exercise with joint mobilization on shoulder range of motion (ROM) and subjective symptom recovery in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). Related Studies published from 2000 to 2021 that were peer-reviewed and for which pre-and post-values could be calculated were extracted from PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Nine studies met our inclusion criteria. As a result of calculating the standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), both exercise and exercise with joint mobilization showed a large effect on shoulder ROM and subjective outcomes. The combination showed a more significant effect than exercise alone on shoulder flexion (SMD = −1.59 [−2.34, −0.65]), extension (SMD = −1.47 [−2.05, −0.89]), internal rotation (SMD = −1.77 [−2.17, −1.36], external rotation (SMD = −2.18 [−2.92, −1.44]), and abduction ROM (SMD = −1.99 [CI −3.86, −0.12]). Patients who performed exercise alone showed a higher effect of improvement in subjective function (SMD = 3.15 [2.06, 4.24]) and pain (SMD = 4.13 [1.86, 6.41]). Based on these results, an AC rehabilitation exercise program should be developed by adjusting the amount of exercise and joint mobilization by identifying the patient’s needs, subjective symptoms, and ROM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation)

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