André Pontes-Silva, Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho, Thayná Soares de Melo, Leticia Menegalli-Santos, Josimari Melo DeSantana, Marcelo Cardoso de Souza, Mariana Arias Avila
{"title":"Strength Training Versus Walking on the Fibromyalgia Impact: A Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial.","authors":"André Pontes-Silva, Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho, Thayná Soares de Melo, Leticia Menegalli-Santos, Josimari Melo DeSantana, Marcelo Cardoso de Souza, Mariana Arias Avila","doi":"10.1002/msc.70186","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70186","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the effect of 24 sessions of progressive intensity strength training on the impact of fibromyalgia (primary outcome). Furthermore, we evaluated its effects on sleep, anxiety, depression, wind-up mechanism, conditioned pain modulation, cutaneous sensory threshold, musculoskeletal performance, walking ability, perceived improvement, and treatment adherence (secondary outcomes).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A blinded randomised controlled trial.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>After blinded outcome assessments, 66 people were randomised and concealed and allocated to progressive (n = 22), constant (n = 22), or walking (n = 22) strength training groups.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>People with fibromyalgia.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>In the progressive group, exercise intensity increased by 20% of maximum strength each month: 50% in the first month, 70% in the second month, and 90% in the third month. In the constant or walking exercise groups, moderate intensity was maintained at the end of the treatment. Each person received 24 individual exercise sessions (2x/week), with three months of exercise and three months of no exercise.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measure: </strong>Fibromyalgia impact.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Groups were similar at baseline. There were no significant between-group differences in the primary outcome at any time point. In within-group comparisons, we observed significant differences indicating that all three types of exercise reduced fibromyalgia symptoms; however, no variable achieved a minimal clinically important difference. In between-group comparisons for the secondary outcomes, groups reported a positive perception of improvement, but most of each group did not adhere to treatment and/or did not answer about adherence after follow-up without exercise.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Twenty-four sessions of progressive intensity strength training did not provide a greater reduction in the fibromyalgia impact than constant intensity or walking exercises.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): RBR-9pbq9fg, date of registration: October 06, 2022.</p><p><strong>Protocol publication: </strong>BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders: Doi - 10.1186/s12891-023-06952-3 | Published: Volume 24, article number 816, October 14, 2023.</p>","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 4","pages":"e70186"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12894804/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146167263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Musculoskeletal Injury Patterns and Associations With Potentially Modifiable Factors Among Recreational Tennis Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Burak M Akdoğan, Fatih Barça","doi":"10.1002/msc.70190","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70190","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe the self-reported occurrence and anatomical distribution of musculoskeletal injuries among recreational tennis players and to explore associated modifiable factors among respondents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 172 recreational tennis players (mean age 50.2 ± 12.1 years; 64.5% men). Data included participation habits (warm-up/cool-down/stretching and equipment use), self-reported injury characteristics, management, return to play, and return to performance. Injury correlates were analysed using logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 73.3% (126/172) reported at least one tennis-related injury. Common sites were the elbow (34.9%), ankle (32.5%), knee (28.6%), and wrist/hand (27.8%). Muscle strain (45.6%) and ligament sprain/tear (34.4%) were the most frequently reported injury types. Warm-up/cool-down/stretching habits and overgrip use were not significantly associated with injury status, and weekly playing frequency showed only a borderline univariate association (p = 0.054). Players who sought medical evaluation reported longer return-to-play time (median 90 vs. 25 days; p < 0.001). Median return-to-play time increased with treatment intensity (20 days pharmacological; 30 days spontaneous recovery and conservative management; 90 days physical therapy; 180 days surgery), and 86.6% returned to their pre-injury performance level.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Tennis-related injuries were common among respondents and recovery duration varied markedly by clinical course and treatment intensity. Findings should be interpreted as sample-based self-report rather than population-level prevalence; prospective studies with defined sampling and clinical verification are warranted. These observational findings do not allow causal or preventive inferences regarding modifiable habits.</p>","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 4","pages":"e70190"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146182372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna Doran, Lesley Doyle, Rachael O'Sullivan, Moira Lafferty
{"title":"Do Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Predict Utilisation of a Community Based Musculoskeletal Triage Service? A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Anna Doran, Lesley Doyle, Rachael O'Sullivan, Moira Lafferty","doi":"10.1002/msc.70180","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70180","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In the United Kingdom, 20 million people are affected by musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. To reduce the burden on GP surgeries, there are now MSK triage services where patients are diagnosed and managed by allied health professionals. There is limited research exploring the sociodemographic characteristics and reasons for attendance of those using the MSK triage service.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To explore the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of adult patients accessing an MSK triage service within Northwest England.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This is a retrospective cohort study using secondary data collected between 1st January 2022 and 31st December 2024. Data were extracted from an NHS electronic patient record system, including sociographic data as well as the number of consultations and diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sample included data on 6398 patients, of which 2826 (44%) were male and 3571 female (66%). The mean age was 56.9 years, the majority (83.1%) identified as White British and 28.4% of the sample resided in areas of low deprivation. Compared with lower body diagnoses, individuals with spine-related diagnoses had 28.7% fewer consultations and those with upper-body diagnoses had 19.2% fewer consultations. Both differences were highly significant (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that establishing more clearly defined clinical pathways may enhance the efficiency of service utilisation. Improving the accessibility of the MSK triage service has the potential to enhance access for both patients and referring clinicians, thereby optimising the timeliness of care delivery. This study adds to the evolving understanding of how MSK triage services can be enhanced in the NHS primary care setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 3","pages":"e70180"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144817898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Panos Sarigiovannis, Luis Enrique Loría-Rebolledo, Nadine E Foster, Sue Jowett, Benjamin Saunders
{"title":"What Service Characteristics Are Important to Patients Treated in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Services: Designing a Discrete Choice Experiment.","authors":"Panos Sarigiovannis, Luis Enrique Loría-Rebolledo, Nadine E Foster, Sue Jowett, Benjamin Saunders","doi":"10.1002/msc.70175","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70175","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 3","pages":"e70175"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12310418/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144973673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammad Ali, Casey L Peiris, Jon J Ford, Ahmed Hossain, Andrew J Hahne
{"title":"Perceptions of Low Back Pain and the Role of Physiotherapy in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Mohammad Ali, Casey L Peiris, Jon J Ford, Ahmed Hossain, Andrew J Hahne","doi":"10.1002/msc.70159","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Low back pain (LBP) is a leading global cause of disability, with the most significant burden now observed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the growing availability of physiotherapy, cultural perceptions and systemic factors may hinder its utilisation in Bangladesh. This study explores how patients with chronic LBP in Bangladesh perceive their condition and the role of physiotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 Bangladeshi adults (mean age 41.9 years) with chronic LBP (median duration 30 months). Participants were purposively sampled to capture diverse sociodemographic perspectives. Transcripts were thematically analysed to explore lived experiences with LBP and its management.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four interrelated themes emerged: (1) there was limited understanding of the causes of LBP; (2) physician authority strongly influenced perceptions of physiotherapy, reinforcing passive treatment approaches; (3) friends and family, social media, and the internet shaped expectations; and (4) cultural and spiritual beliefs promoted traditional remedies over evidence-based care. As a result of these perceptions, physiotherapy was often viewed as a last resort and was typically limited to passive modalities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Improving LBP care in Bangladesh may require culturally sensitive multilevel strategies, such as public education, upskilling of physiotherapists in active evidence-based interventions, and health policy reforms, to promote the availability of direct physiotherapy access. These strategies could help align patient expectations with contemporary care models and reduce LBP-related disability in LMICs.</p>","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 3","pages":"e70159"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12230278/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effectiveness of a Supervised 8-Week Structured Intensive Exercise Protocol on Functional Performance and Physiological Parameters in Adults With Obesity-An Experimental Study.","authors":"Shivangi Sachdeva, Priyanka Rishi, Sonia Pawaria","doi":"10.1002/msc.70154","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70154","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obesity is a global health concern associated with multiple comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and respiratory complications, significantly impacting physical and psychological well-being. Defined by an excessive accumulation of fat cells, obesity adversely affects quality of life (QoL), morbidity, and mortality. While high-intensity interval training has been widely studied, there is a lack of research on integrated intensive exercise approaches. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of an Integrated Intensive Exercise Protocol (IIEP) in improving body composition, functional capacity, and QoL in individuals with obesity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A pilot study was conducted with 30 obese individuals (BMI 30-39.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, aged 18-35), randomly assigned to two groups. Group A (control) followed a prescribed diet and engaged in brisk walking (30 min, twice daily, 3 days per week) for 8 weeks. Group B (intervention) underwent IIEP, incorporating aerobic exercise, resistance training, and recreational activities, for 3 days per week over 8 weeks. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention for vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure), body composition (BMI), functional capacity (6-min walk test), and QoL (IWQOL-Lite questionnaire).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in body composition, functional capacity, and QoL compared with the control group. Both groups showed similar effectiveness in restoring vital parameters to baseline.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings suggest that IIEP is an effective therapeutic strategy for obesity management, enhancing functional capacity and overall well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 3","pages":"e70154"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144545392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel K Nelligan, Rana S Hinman, Ben Metcalf, Fiona McManus, Karen E Lamb, Sophie Heywood, Robyn Gibbes, Kim L Bennell
{"title":"Consumer-Focused Osteoarthritis e-Learning to Complement Physiotherapy Care in People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol for the PEEKO Randomised Controlled Trial.","authors":"Rachel K Nelligan, Rana S Hinman, Ben Metcalf, Fiona McManus, Karen E Lamb, Sophie Heywood, Robyn Gibbes, Kim L Bennell","doi":"10.1002/msc.70156","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate whether the addition of a consumer e-learning course to verbal information on OA and a home strengthening exercise programme prescribed by a physiotherapist enhances pain and/or physical function outcomes at 24 weeks in people with knee OA. Primary outcomes are (i) severity of knee pain while walking (11-point numeric rating scale) at 24 weeks and (ii) physical function at 24 weeks using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index subscale. Secondary outcomes include measures of knee-related quality of life; sport and recreation; self-efficacy for exercise; pain self-efficacy; physical activity levels; OA knowledge; perceptions of OA (illness perceptions); fear of movement; belief in the inevitability of needing a knee joint replacement; global rating of change; satisfaction with treatment; exercise adherence; and use of recommended OA self-management approaches and oral pain medication.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two-arm parallel-design superiority randomised controlled trial. One hundred thirty-six community dwelling Australian adults with clinically diagnosed knee OA will be randomly allocated into one of two groups: (i) verbal OA education and a home strengthening programme (control) or (ii) the same intervention plus access to a freely available 4-module e-learning course on OA and its recommended management (e-learning group). Both groups will receive the same scripted verbal OA information and a lower limb strengthening programme over two 30-min video consultations with a physiotherapist over six weeks. Those in the e-learning group will receive access to the e-learning course from their physiotherapist. Primary outcomes are (i) severity of knee pain while walking (11-point numeric rating scale) at 24 weeks and (ii) physical function at 24 weeks using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index subscale. Secondary outcomes include measures of knee-related quality of life; sport and recreation; self-efficacy for exercise; pain self-efficacy; physical activity levels; OA knowledge; perceptions of OA (illness perceptions); fear of movement; belief in the inevitability of needing a knee joint replacement; global rating of change; satisfaction with treatment; exercise adherence; and use of recommended OA self-management approaches and oral pain medication.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This RCT evaluates whether supplementing physiotherapy care with consumer-focused e-learning improves outcomes for people with knee OA.</p>","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 3","pages":"e70156"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12226444/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144561482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factors Associated With Physical Activity in Home-Based Rehabilitation Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.","authors":"Heng-Ying Fang, Ying-Hua Pan, Yi-Heng Zhang, Yu-Hua Deng, Xiao-Wen Li, Lei Huang, Hui-Ting Gu, Yue Ding, Xin-Xin Hu, Mu Liu, Rui-Chong Wang, MeiFen Zhang","doi":"10.1002/msc.70131","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70131","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To identify factors associated with physical activity levels among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who are undergoing home-based rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 6-month follow-up study of 225 AS patients in remission was conducted in a hospital. Data were collected at patient discharge (T0) and at 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2) and 6 months (T3) postdischarge via questionnaires that assessed a range of physiological, psychological, social and cognitive variables. The influence of these variables on physical activity levels was examined via generalised estimating equations (GEEs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Physical activity levels significantly fluctuated over time, as they exhibited an initial decrease followed by a slight increase. Lower levels were observed at 3 months postdischarge (T0: 74.3 ± 81.9; T1: 70.1 ± 79.3; T2: 60.5 ± 73.1; T3: 75.4 ± 80.1). Univariate analysis revealed that anxiety level, depression severity, perceived exercise benefits/impairment, exercise self-efficacy and social support significantly influenced physical activity (p < 0.001). The GEE model revealed that educational level, the absence of biologics, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) score, anxiety, perceived exercise benefits/barriers and social support were significant predictors of physical activity (p < 0.05). Specifically, patients with lower education levels and those not receiving biologics had higher physical activity levels, whereas increased BASFI scores, anxiety and perceived barriers were associated with reduced physical activity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Physical activity is essential for improving the functional outcomes of AS patients, and various factors significantly influence their engagement in physical activities. This study provides a foundational framework for tailored home rehabilitation strategies and emphasises the need for personalised approaches in long-term management.</p>","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 3","pages":"e70131"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ryan D Muller, Samuel M Schut, Paolo Perna, Alberto Ferrara, Daniele Banchetto, Joshua R Zadro
{"title":"Do Italian Physiotherapists Follow Evidence-Based Guidelines When Managing Patients With Low Back Pain? A Cross-Sectional Survey.","authors":"Ryan D Muller, Samuel M Schut, Paolo Perna, Alberto Ferrara, Daniele Banchetto, Joshua R Zadro","doi":"10.1002/msc.70164","DOIUrl":"10.1002/msc.70164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Guideline-recommended management of low back pain (LBP) is associated with improved patient outcomes and costs. This study aimed to assess Italian physiotherapists' attitudes towards and adherence to LBP clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of Italian physiotherapists. Participants' demographics, attitudes towards, and familiarity with CPGs were collected. Six vignettes of patients with LBP were presented. For each, participants selected management options from a pre-specified list. Management options were categorised as recommended, not recommended, and no recommendation based on CPG recommendations and systematic reviews. Ordinal logistic regression assessed associations between participant characteristics and the number of vignettes for which recommended and not recommended care options were selected (stratified by non-specific LBP and red flag vignettes).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 272 participants completing the demographic section of the survey, 142 completed all vignettes. Care that was recommended, not recommended, and had no recommendation was selected by 87%, 32%, and 93% of participants on average in the six vignettes, respectively. Working in a hospital setting was associated with a reduced likelihood of selecting recommended care for non-specific LBP (coefficient: -1.28; 95% CI: -2.20, -0.36). Stronger self-reported familiarity with three published CPGs was associated with decreased likelihood of selecting not recommended care but was not associated with selecting recommended care for non-specific LBP. All other variables were not associated with selecting recommended and not recommended care.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Physiotherapists commonly selected recommended care options for patients with LBP, yet there remains considerable scope to reduce selection of care which is not recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":46945,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Care","volume":"23 3","pages":"e70164"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144859765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}