Medical rehabilitation is the process targeted to promote and facilitate the recovery from physical damage, psychological and mental disorders, and clinical disease. The history of medical rehabilitation is closely linked to the history of disability. In the ancient western world disabled subjects were excluded from social life. In ancient Greece disability was surmounted only by means of its complete removal, and given that disease was considered a punishment attributed by divinities to human beings because of their faults and sins, only a full physical, mental, and moral recovery could reinsert disabled subjects back in the society of “normal” people. In the Renaissance period, instead, general ideas functional for the prevention of diseases and the maintaining of health became increasingly technical notions, specifically targeted to rehabilitate disabled individuals. The history of medical rehabilitation is a fascinating journey through time, providing insights into many different branches of medicine. When modern rehabilitation emerges, around the middle of the twentieth century, it derives from a combination of management approaches focusing on the orthopaedic and biomechanical understanding of patterns of movement, on the mastering of neuropsychological mechanisms, and on the awareness of the social-occupational dimension of everyday reality.

Physical Therapy (PT) is crucial for recovery from acute injuries and plays a vital role in promoting functional ability. However, at-home PT is often associated with boredom, lack of engagement, and difficulties in receiving immediate feedback about exercise performance, all of which contribute to poorer PT outcomes. This paper introduces an approach that leverages the engaging, therapeutic power of music to provide intuitive, real-time feedback and adaptive guidance during PT. Developed through a user-centered, research-through-design process, our "MusicalPT" system tracks and sonifies limb movements using computer vision and music generation techniques. We present a low-cost, lightweight, and robust tracking setup that can be used at home with a webcam and a computing device. Our lab-based evaluation shows that this musical guidance helps people perform exercises correctly and remain engaged, while promoting enjoyment and other dimensions of positive user experience. Based on these findings, we discuss broader design directions for interactive musical technologies in the context of health management.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation on pain intensity and functional outcomes in patients with nonoperatively managed tendinopathy compared with home exercise or in-person physical therapy.MethodsA systematic search of major databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials comparing telerehabilitation with home exercise or in-person physical therapy. The primary outcomes were pain intensity and functional recovery. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, whereas the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. This review was prospectively registered with International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (Registration Number: CRD420251207558).ResultsA total of 10 studies comprising 412 participants were included. Compared with home exercise, telerehabilitation demonstrated a potential advantage in reducing pain (standardized mean difference = 0.99, p < 0.001) and improving functional outcomes (standardized mean difference = 0.52, p < 0.001). Conversely, compared with in-person physical therapy, telerehabilitation showed no statistically significant difference in either pain reduction (standardized mean difference = -0.34, p = 0.49) or functional improvement (standardized mean difference = 0.04, p = 0.76). Sensitivity analyses using the leave-one-out method identified specific outliers contributing to heterogeneity, and the pooled estimates shifted appreciably, indicating limited robustness. The overall certainty of evidence was rated as low to very low because of risk of bias and imprecision.ConclusionsTelerehabilitation shows potential benefit for patients with tendinopathy, providing clinical outcomes that may be superior to home exercise and comparable to conventional in-person therapy. By facilitating consistent progressive loading through remote supervision Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation on pain intensity and functional outcomes in patients with nonoperatively managed tendinopathy compared with home exercise or in-person physical therapy. Methods A systematic search of major databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials comparing telerehabilitation with home exercise or in-person physical therapy. The primary outcomes were pain intensity and functional recovery. 17 Although telerehabilitation has been extensively studied in the contexts of postoperative recovery 18 and osteoarthritis, 19 its specific efficacy in the nonoperative management of tendinopathy remains incompletely defined. Existing evidence is fragmented, with studies employing highly heterogeneous interventions ranging from simple telephone support to sophisticated digital therapeutics. 20 , 21 Furthermore, it remains unclear whether telerehabilitation is merely superior to home exercise or whether it provides clinical outcomes comparable to those of conventional in-person physical therapy. Using a random-effects model (I 2 = 88%, p < 0.001) for pooled analysis, results showed that compared with Effects of telerehabilitation on functional outcomes As shown in Figure 4 , the intervention effect of telerehabilitation on functional outcomes was reported in 10 studies, comprising 203 participants in the experimental group and 209 participants in the control group. Based on the comparator type, these 10 studies were divided into two subgroups: those comparing telerehabilitation with home exercise (six studies) and those comparing telerehabilitation with in-person physical therapy (four studies). In contrast, comparisons with in-person physical therapy showed no significant differences for either outcome and were characterized by inconsistent effect estimates. Overall, these limitations indicate that the current evidence base is uncertain, highlighting the need for higher-quality, adequately powered trials to strengthen future conclusions. Discussion This meta-analysis suggests a potential benefit of telerehabilitation in the management of tendinopathy, indicating more favorable outcomes compared with home exercise programs in both pain relief and functional recovery, achieving results comparable to conventional in-person physical therapy. Particularly, our findings demonstrated that telerehabilitation yielded a large effect size in reducing pain intensity (SMD = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.50 to 1.47) and a moderate effect size in improving functional outcomes (SMD = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.80) compared with the home exercise control group. However, when compared with in-person physical therapy, telerehabilitation showed no statistically significant difference in either pain reduction (SMD = −0.34) or functional improvement (SMD = 0.04). In contrast, telerehabilitation interventions provided structured guidance. For instance, Malliaras et al. 34 used real-time video conferencing to correct exercise techniques, whereas Pak et al. 35 employed an app with sensor-based biofeedback to ensure movement quality. This “guided self-management” approach ensures that progressive loading, crucial for tendon remodeling, is performed consistently and correctly, thereby maximizing clinical benefits compared with independent exercise. Furthermore, our analysis confirms that telerehabilitation serves as an effective alternative to in-person physical therapy, yielding comparable clinical outcomes. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that telerehabilitation may offer potential benefits for patients with nonoperatively managed tendinopathy, with pooled estimates indicating possible advantages over home exercise in reducing pain intensity and improving functional outcomes. Furthermore, telerehabilitation may provide clinical efficacy comparable to conventional in-person physical therapy, suggesting it could serve as a promising option for patients facing barriers to traditional care.

<h4>Importance</h4>Pediatric flexible flatfoot (PFF) is a common condition affecting children's foot biomechanics. While various conservative treatments exist, their relative effectiveness remains unclear.<h4>Objective</h4>The objective was to compare the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions-orthotic devices, active exercise-based interventions, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-for managing PFF.<h4>Design</h4>A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024539990).<h4>Participants</h4>Eleven trials encompassing 761 children with flexible flatfoot were included.<h4>Interventions</h4>Non-surgical interventions included orthotic devices (traditional insoles, talus control insoles, corrective shoes, heel cups) and active exercise-based physical therapist interventions (corrective exercises, core stabilization exercises, and NMES combined with corrective exercises).<h4>Outcome measures</h4>Outcome measures included the Staheli index (static footprint measurement), barefoot radiological measures (anterior-posterior and lateral talocalcaneal angles, calcaneal pitch angle), pain scores, and treatment discontinuation rates.<h4>Results</h4>NMES combined with corrective exercises demonstrated significant improvement in the Staheli index compared to no intervention (mean difference [MD] = -0.28, 95% CI = -0.35 to -0.22; certainty of evidence [CoE]: moderate). Talus control insoles showed significant improvements in radiological outcomes compared to conventional flat footwear, including lateral talocalcaneal angle (MD = -5.56°, 95% CI = -9.81 to -1.30; CoE: low) and calcaneal pitch angle (MD = 2.74°, 95% CI = 0.41 to 5.06; CoE: low). Traditional insoles effectively reduced pain scores compared to flat insoles (MD = -2.92 points, 95% CI = -3.73 to -2.11; CoE: very low). Pain outcomes were not assessed in exercise or NMES studies, preventing comparative effectiveness conclusions across intervention types. No significant differences in treatment discontinuation rates were observed among orthotic interventions.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Both active exercise-based and orthotic interventions demonstrated beneficial effects. NMES with corrective exercises improved standing foot alignment by static footprint analysis, while orthotic interventions enhanced radiological alignment (talus control insoles) and pain relief (traditional insoles) compared to conventional footwear. Outcome measurement differences between intervention types limited direct comparisons. Ten studies measuring gait, functional, or developmental outcomes were excluded due to insufficient outcome overlap.<h4>Relevance</h4>This network meta-analysis provides evidence-based guidance for selecting conservative PFF interventions based on primary treatment objectives.

Adhesive capsulitis (AC) affects approximately 1% of the general population. Current research lacks clear guidance on the dosage of manual therapy and exercise interventions. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise in the management of AC, with a secondary aim of describing the available literature present on the dosage of interventions. Eligible studies were randomized clinical/quasi-experimental trials with complete data analysis and no limits on date of publication, published in English, recruited participants >18 years of age with primary adhesive capsulitis, that had at least two groups with one group receiving manual therapy (MT) alone, exercise alone, or MT and exercise, that included at least one outcome measure of pain, disability, or external rotation range of motion, and that had dosage of visits clearly defined. An electronic search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Pedro, and clinicaltrials.gov. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias 2 Tool. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was used to provide an overall assessment of the quality of evidence. Meta-analyses were conducted when possible, and dosage was discussed in narrative form. Sixteen studies were included. All meta-analyses revealed non-significant effects of pain, disability, and external rotation range of motion at short- and long-term follow-up, with an overall level of evidence ranging from very low to low. Non-significant findings with low-to-very-low-quality of evidence were found across meta-analyses, preventing seamless transition of research evidence to clinical practice. Lack of consistency in study designs, manual therapy techniques, dosing parameters, and duration of care impedes the ability to make strong recommendations regarding optimal dosage of physical therapy for individuals with AC.

<h4>Background</h4>Adhesive capsulitis causes shoulder pain and limited motion. Physical therapy (PT) helps but is slow to act. This meta-analysis compares PT alone versus PT plus corticosteroid injections for pain, range of motion (ROM), and function.<h4>Methods</h4>A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar for articles published up to April 24, 2026. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials comparing PT alone to PT combined with intra-articular corticosteroid injections in adults with adhesive capsulitis. Five studies met the inclusion criteria, including 198 patients, with a follow-up duration ranging from 6 to 24 weeks. Primary outcomes included changes in SPADI (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index) and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scores from baseline to final follow-up, as well as ROM improvements in flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation.<h4>Results</h4>Patients receiving combined corticosteroid injection and PT were associated with significantly greater improvements in SPADI scores (MD = 17.52; 95% CI: 5.08 to 29.95; p = 0.006), flexion (MD = 12.99; 95% CI: 5.92 to 20.05; p = 0.0003), abduction (MD = 10.68; 95% CI: 0.53 to 20.84; p = 0.04), and external rotation (MD = 10.35; 95% CI: 6.13 to 14.57; p < 0.0001) compared to PT alone. No significant differences were observed in VAS score reduction (p = 0.41) or internal rotation (p = 0.46).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The addition of intra-articular corticosteroid injections to PT provides superior short-term improvements in functional outcomes and ROM for patients with adhesive capsulitis. These results support a combined treatment approach during the early phases of the disease.

Background: Post-exercise recovery is a crucial component of athletic training, particularly in combat sports such as pencak silat that impose high cardiovascular demands. Optimizing recovery strategies is essential to restore physiological homeostasis and support training continuity. Natural therapies based on locally available resources, including lemongrass and salt, offer promising alternatives. Aims: This study aimed to examine the effect, difference, and efficiency of a physical therapy method using a mixture of lemongrass and salt on pulse restoration in pencak silat athletes. Methods: A quantitative quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group approach was employed. Sixteen female pencak silat athletes aged 14–17 years were divided into a lemongrass and salt therapy group and an active rest control group. Pulse recovery was measured using a heart rate monitor following a bleep test protocol. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, normality and homogeneity tests, paired sample tests, and independent t-tests. Result: The findings revealed a significant reduction in recovery pulse rate in the lemongrass and salt therapy group compared with the control group. Athletes receiving the intervention achieved faster pulse normalization, with recovery occurring approximately one minute earlier than in the active rest condition, and the between-group difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: The study concludes that lemongrass and salt thera

Penetrating gunshot wounds of the cervical spine in civilians. Review of 38 cases. The authors present a series of 38 civilian patients with cervical gunshot injuries, and compare neurological recovery in patients with complete lesions and patients with incomplete lesions according to whether therapy was surgical or nonsurgical. In patients with incomplete injury, ultimate recovery was a function of the initial injury more than surgical or nonsurgical therapy; nor did patients with complete lesions show significant change in outcome with either mode of therapy. Cord pathology at laminectomy rarely provided a clue about neurological recovery, and fural decompression did not alter neurological outcome. The authors conclude that the sole indication for routine surgical intervention appears to be progressive neurological deficit. Published in Journal of neurosurgery (1975)

Objectives: Elective shoulder surgical procedures, some of the most commonly performed orthopaedic surgeries, are increasing rapidly. 1 The management of pain following shoulder surgery typically includes the use of cryotherapy and the prescription of pain medication, typically in the form of opioid analgesics. Much focus has been put lately on the opioid epidemic, which in part is fueled by excessive prescription of opioid medications. 2,3 Recent studies have indicated that orthopaedic surgeons are some of the highest opioid prescribers, often prescribing above recommended amounts. 4,5 This is especially critical considering that opioid-naïve patients undergoing shoulder surgery are at an increased risk of long-term dependence. 6 With the increased number of shoulder surgeries performed, identifying ways to reduce opioid consumption post-operatively is imperative for orthopaedic surgeons to reduce opioid prescriptions. Cryotherapy is commonly utilized following shoulder surgery to decrease swelling and inflammation, as well as to help alleviate postoperative pain. The application of cold can come in many forms, from ice packs to more complex cryotherapy devices. Previous studies have found a combination of cryotherapy and compression effective at reducing analgesic consumption and increasing recovery in patients undergoing knee and spine surgery, however, efficacy in patients undergoing shoulder surgery has not been evaluated. 79 The aim of this study was to evaluate the eff

Treatment of craniofacial pain disorders is often complicated by diverse factors such as acute or chronic trauma and persistent postural changes. In addition, emotional issues and life stress often cloud the recovery process. Physical therapists, with their diverse knowledge base and highly competent treatment skills, can be quite effective in assisting dentists and physicians with management of the many difficult upper quarter and craniofacial pain syndromes. This article reviews the role of myofascial and craniosacral dysfunction, as well as the function of posture, tension, and stress in the development of these syndromes. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the many evaluative techniques and treatment options that can be provided by today's physical therapists.

United Kingdom, physical therapists may have the authority to prescribe medication. Physical therapy addresses illnesses or injuries that limit a person's Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists. It focuses on promoting, maintaining, or restoring health through patient education, physical interventions, disease prevention, and health promotion. The term physical therapist or physiotherapist is used to represent the trained person providing physical therapy. T Orthopedic physical therapists…

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) activates the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), triggering anti-inflammatory signaling and providing essential nucleotides for the salvage pathway, thereby helping bypass metabolic bottlenecks and promoting tissue repair. Combining PDRN with biochemical agents and physical stimuli represents a significant shift in medical treatment, moving from monotherapy to an integrated, multi-target regenerative approach. These combinatorial strategies effectively address the limitations of PDRN, such as its rapid degradation and diffusion, by simultaneously meeting the structural, metabolic, and signaling needs of injured tissues. The mechanism of action for PDRN involves a synergistic effect with hyaluronic acid, amplification of growth factors (e.g., Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)), and enhancements from extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and lasers. This results in a notable acceleration of the repair process for chronic wounds, musculoskeletal disorders, and neurological injuries. As intelligent delivery systems like responsive hydrogels and sustainable L-PDRN production continue to advance, these synergistic protocols are poised to redefine global standards of care in regenerative medicine and esthetic dermatology. Future clinical success will hinge on the standardization of sequence-specific protocols and large-scale validation to ensure long-term safety and efficacy.