International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Dear Colleagues,

Physiotherapy is currently one of the fastest growing areas in healthcare systems, while rehabilitation is being modernized in many areas, such as neurology, cardiology, rheumatology, and traumatology. The implementation of new systems and protocols is an unstoppable advance; however, these clinical advances require a high level of evidence, so it is necessary to publish results that validate the new interventions. Exercise, telerehabilitation,

virtual reality systems, and the new pain paradigm are some of the areas of greatest impact today. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of recent advances in the field of rehabilitation and to discuss clinical challenges related to pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnostic management, cost-effective approaches to interventions, treatment efficacy, innovative clinical perspectives, and the development of new rehabilitation protocols. Therefore, researchers in the field are encouraged to submit an original article or review for this Special Issue (case reports and short reviews are not accepted).

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

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Healthcare.

Dr. Carlos Bernal-Utrera
Guest Editor

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Keywords

rehabilitation
occupational therapy
telerehabilitation
neurology
cardiovascular rehabilitation
exercise
musculoskeletal manipulation
rheumatology
pain

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1056 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mediation Effect of Pain on the Relationship between Kinesiophobia and Lumbar Joint Position Sense in Chronic Low Back Pain Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Mohammad A. ALMohiza, Ravi Shankar Reddy, Faisal Asiri, Adel Alshahrani, Jaya Shanker Tedla, Snehil Dixit, Kumar Gular and Venkata Nagaraj Kakaraparthi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5193; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20065193 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2584

Abstract

(1) Background: Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) and impaired lumbar joint position sense (LJPS) play a vital role in developing and maintaining non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, how kinesiophobia impacts LJPS is still being determined. The aims of this study are to (1) assess the correlation between kinesiophobia and LJPS in individuals with chronic low back pain; (2) compare LJPS between individuals with CLBP and those who are asymptomatic; and (3) evaluate if pain can mediate the relationship between kinesiophobia and LJPS in CLBP individuals. (2) Methods: Eighty-three individuals (mean age = 48.9 ± 7.5 years) with a diagnosis of CLBP and 95 asymptomatic individuals (mean age = 49.4 ± 7.0 years) were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Fear of movement in CLBP individuals was assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). LJPS was determined using the active target repositioning technique using a dual-digital inclinometer. LJPS was evaluated in lumbar flexion, extension, and side-bending left and right directions, and the repositioning accuracy was determined in degrees using a dual digital inclinometer. (3) Results: Kinesiophobia showed a significant (p < 0.001) moderate positive correlation with LJPS (flexion: r = 0.51, extension: r = 0.41, side-bending left: r = 0.37 and side-bending right: r = 0.34). LJPS errors were larger in CLBP individuals compared to asymptomatic individuals (p < 0.05). Mediation analyses showed that pain significantly mediated the relationship between kinesiophobia and LJPS (p < 0.05) in CLBP individuals. (4) Conclusions: Kinesiophobia and LJPS were positively associated. LJPS is impaired in CLBP individuals compared to asymptomatic individuals. Pain may mediate adverse effects on LJPS. These factors must be taken into account when assessing and developing treatment plans for those with CLBP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy)

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13 pages, 353 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Association between Individual-Level Attributes and Fidelity to a Vocational Rehabilitation Intervention within a Randomised Controlled Trial

by Katie E. Powers, Roshan das Nair, Julie Phillips, Amanda Farrin and Kathryn A. Radford

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4694; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20064694 - 7 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1409

Abstract

Understanding what attributes or characteristics of those delivering interventions affect intervention fidelity and patient outcomes is important for contextualising intervention effectiveness. It may also inform implementation of interventions in future research and clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the relationships between attributes of Occupational Therapists (OTs), their faithful delivery of an early stroke specialist vocational rehabilitation intervention (ESSVR), and stroke survivor return-to-work (RTW) outcomes. Thirty-nine OTs were surveyed about their experience and knowledge of stroke and vocational rehabilitation and were trained to deliver ESSVR. ESSVR was delivered across 16 sites in England and Wales between February 2018 and November 2021. OTs received monthly mentoring to support ESSVR delivery. The amount of mentoring each OT received was recorded in OT mentoring records. Fidelity was assessed using an intervention component checklist completed using retrospective case review of one randomly selected participant per OT. Linear and logistic regression analyses explored relationships between OT attributes, fidelity, and stroke survivor RTW outcome. Fidelity scores ranged from 30.8 to 100% (Mean: 78.8%, SD: 19.2%). Only OT engagement in mentoring was significantly associated with fidelity (b = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.05–0.53, p < 0.05). Increased fidelity (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01–1.1, p = 0.01) and increasing years of stroke rehabilitation experience (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.02–1.35) was significantly associated with positive stroke survivor RTW outcomes. Findings of this study suggest that mentoring OTs may increase fidelity of delivery of ESSVR, which may also be associated with positive stroke survivor return-to-work outcomes. The results also suggest that OTs with more experience of stroke rehabilitation may be able to support stroke survivors to RTW more effectively. Upskilling OTs to deliver complex interventions, such as ESSVR, in clinical trials may require mentoring support in addition to training to ensure fidelity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modern Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy)

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