Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences最新文献

{"title":"Empirical evaluation of an ICF core set for managing musculoskeletal conditions in primary care physical therapy services in Spain: a multicenter study.","authors":"Héctor Hernández-Lázaro, Sandra Jiménez-Del-Barrio, María Teresa Mingo-Gómez, Ana Isabel Rodríguez-Fernández, Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej, Agnieszka Sozańska, Zofia Dzięcioł-Anikiej, Luis Ceballos-Laita","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1960608","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1960608","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Musculoskeletal conditions are a leading cause of disability, yet functioning is not routinely documented in primary care. A setting-specific International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set may facilitate biopsychosocial assessment by identifying domains relevant to patients and physical therapists.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To empirically evaluate category retention and perceived relevance within a specific ICF Core Set for musculoskeletal conditions in primary care physical therapy and examine correspondence and differences between patient-reported and physical therapist-assessed perspectives.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multicenter, cross-sectional study included 387 patient-physical therapist dyads from the public regional healthcare service of Castilla y León (SACYL), Spain. Both perspectives rated 34 ICF categories using a 100 mm VAS. ICF categories with ≥5% prevalence were retained. Sensitivity analyses examined retention across WHODAS 2.0 and Self-administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ) levels and their continuous associations with ICF summary ratings. Paired perspectives were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Holm-adjusted <i>p</i>-values, effect sizes, ICC(2,1), and individual absolute differences exceeding an interpretive 15 mm benchmark. The study was reported according to STROBE.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 34 ICF categories exceeded the retention threshold (23.3-94.3%) and remained retained for all disability and comorbidity subgroups. WHODAS 2.0 showed moderate positive correlations with Body Functions and Activities and Participation ratings (Spearman's <i>ρ</i> = 0.329-0.357), whereas SCQ correlations were weaker (<i>ρ</i> = 0.178-0.202). Absolute paired-score correspondence ranged from moderate to excellent (ICC = 0.697-0.958). Twenty-seven comparisons were significant before adjustment and 20 after Holm adjustment. Differences were generally small (|<i>r</i>| = 0.012-0.356); the largest mean difference was 7.83 mm for \"b710 Mobility of joint functions\". Across categories, 5.7%-29.3% of dyads exceeded 15 mm.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings provide empirical support for retaining the 34 categories and indicate generally substantial group-level correspondence alongside potentially informative individual differences. Further research should evaluate measurement properties, feasibility, responsiveness, and implementation in routine primary care.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1960608"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13638589/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119532","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":"Speech and language pathologists' diagnostic approaches to developmental language disorders in German-speaking children with intellectual disability.","authors":"Jenny Thillmann, Tina Ghaemi, Anna-Lena Scherger","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1925293","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1925293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Children with an intellectual disability (ID) often manifest a developmental language disorder (DLD). However, conventional standardized DLD diagnostic tools often prove unsuitable for this population. Furthermore, no guidelines are provided on how speech and language pathologists (SLPs) should conduct the assessment. This study investigated how practitioners in German-speaking countries assess DLD in children with ID, including the role of multilingualism and practitioners' self-perceived competence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 102 practitioners in German-speaking countries. The questionnaire examined diagnostic timing and goals, use of assessment tools, consideration of non-linguistic abilities, handling of norm values, adaptations for different levels of cognitive functioning, multilingual assessment practices, and perceived diagnostic competence regarding children with ID. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, qualitative content analysis for open responses, and multiple linear regression to identify predictors of self-perceived competence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Results showed that practitioners mainly use language assessment at the beginning of an intervention and for monitoring progress, with a focus on identifying specific language difficulties and planning intervention rather than categorical diagnosis. Most SLPs relied on tools developed for typically developing children, while adapting procedures for children with ID through observational and qualitative approaches. Non-linguistic factors such as attention, memory, and executive functions were frequently integrated into assessment. Norm-referenced testing was used variably, often for orientation rather than diagnosis. Multilingualism rarely led to different diagnostic procedures, although uncertainty among practitioners regarding its impact on language development was evident. Self-perceived competence was moderate overall and was significantly predicted by professional experience and working in specialized therapy settings.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>In conclusion, assessment practices are highly heterogeneous and characterized by a combination of standardized tools and individualized adaptations. The findings highlight the need for more suitable diagnostic instruments, clearer guidelines, and targeted professional training to support consistent and confident DLD assessment of children with ID.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1925293"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13640459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119599","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":"Changes in exercise adherence during use of an e-health application in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.","authors":"Mathilde Pelletier-Visa, Louise Jeannot, Bruno Pereira, Emmanuel Coudeyre, Charlotte Lanhers","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1900991","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2026.1900991","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>Physical activity and rehabilitation comprise the main elements of the non-pharmacological management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Compliance with home-based muscle-strengthening exercises is weak, thus diminishing the beneficial effects of the care process.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>We aimed to explore changes in exercise adherence during the use of the ARTH-e application in individuals with KOA.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We conducted a prospective observational, open labelled, single-center study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 32 people with KOA, 26 completed the study (62.5% women). Most had unilateral femorotibial compartment involvement (Kellgren & Lawrence stage II or III) and led a sedentary lifestyle. The Exercice Adherence Rating Scale score decreased between 3 weeks and 3 months (effect size -0.41), with 69% of patients considered non-responders. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score score decreased (effect size -0.62), while no significant changes were observed in pain measured by Numeric Rating Scale.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Over the three-month follow-up, exercise adherence decreased, no significant changes were observed in pain, and functional scores changed over time. Given the observational design and absence of a control group, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the effectiveness of the application.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1900991"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13636052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119481","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":"Quantifiable ankle pump exercise monitoring for early postoperative rehabilitation after hip and knee arthroplasty: an exploratory randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Jiquan Shen, Xinggao Wang, Changjian Zhou, Xiaoying Zhu, Huiyun Shen, Yuxuan Chen, Run Liu, Zhijun Ye, Bo Wang","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1933740","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2026.1933740","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) remains a clinically important complication after hip and knee arthroplasty. Although ankle pump exercise (APE) is widely recommended to promote venous return, adherence is often suboptimal. Quantifiable monitoring may improve exercise delivery, but its clinical value remains uncertain.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate quantifiable APE monitoring for postoperative exercise adherence, DVT incidence, venous hemodynamics, and rehabilitation-related outcomes after hip or knee arthroplasty.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective, single-center, open-label exploratory randomized controlled trial enrolled 100 patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty between July and November 2023. Patients were randomized 1:1 to an experimental group receiving wearable sensor-based APE monitoring with a mobile application and real-time data transmission or a control group receiving conventional APE education and routine reminders. The registered co-primary outcomes were exercise adherence on postoperative day 7 and DVT incidence by postoperative day 14. Secondary outcomes included venous hemodynamic parameters and patient-reported outcomes, including self-efficacy assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), perceived exertion assessed using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), pain assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and patient satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Exercise adherence (86% vs. 64%; absolute difference, 22.0 percentage points; 95% CI, 5.6 to 38.4; <i>P</i> = 0.011) and patient satisfaction (94% vs. 78%; absolute difference, 16.0 percentage points; 95% CI, 2.8 to 29.2; <i>P</i> = 0.021) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The experimental group had higher GSES scores and lower RPE and VAS scores on postoperative day 7 (all <i>P</i> < 0.05). Post-exercise femoral and popliteal venous flow velocities were also higher in the experimental group (both <i>P</i> < 0.05). DVT incidence did not differ significantly between groups (2% vs. 6%; absolute risk difference, -4.0 percentage points; 95% CI, -11.6 to 3.6; <i>P</i> = 0.617).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Quantifiable APE monitoring was associated with improved exercise adherence and favorable short-term rehabilitation-related and venous hemodynamic outcomes. However, the study was not powered to determine whether the intervention prevents DVT.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=200872, identifier, ChiCTR2300073531. Registered on July 13, 2023.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1933740"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13635323/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119514","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":"Quick fabrication of 3D-printed prosthetic sockets with embedded sensors to track limb motion.","authors":"Joan E Sanders, Amy P Culter, Mathew J Weissinger, Paul Fallon, Joseph C Mertens, Katheryn J Allyn, Benjamin N Sanders, Joseph L Garbini","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1805115","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1805115","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>A simple time-efficient method to fabricate prosthetic sockets with embedded sensors to track limb motion may facilitate the clinical application of continuously collected quantitative data in prosthetics practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 3D-printed inner structure of the socket shape with debosses on the outside surface to hold sensors was fabricated, the sensors were affixed in place, and the socket was laminated and trimmed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The time to fabricate an embedded sensor socket was 12% less than that required to fabricate a traditional carbon-fiber socket with sensors. The investigational sockets increased in volume slightly, <0.2%, over the course of 4 weeks of take-home use, likely because of compression of the inner structure material during ambulation. Sockets with a vapor-smoothed finish had a significantly lower coefficient of friction (COF) with the liner fabric backing than sockets with a normal surface finish (<i>P</i> < 0.01), though participant preference for the lower COF socket was mixed.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The speed, quality, and durability of the investigational sockets warrant clinical studies to determine which quantitative limb motion metrics (e.g., pistoning, volume, anterior distal motion) help prosthetists meaningfully enhance their patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1805115"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13635302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119516","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":"Development and validation of machine learning models for predicting rehabilitation non-response after knee arthroplasty.","authors":"Niclas J Hubel, Ferdinand Prüfer, Walter Bily, David Schneider, Bernhard Holzner, Michael J Fischer, Vincent Grote","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1930836","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2026.1930836","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Structured rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) effectively improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and function, yet some patients fail to achieve minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs). Machine-learning (ML) based prediction models offer one way to identify those patients. We aim to develop and externally validate ML models to predict MCID-based non-response at discharge.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Registry data from four Austrian rehabilitation centres (<i>N</i> = 5,463; 2018-2024), were used to predict non-response in a global (EQ-5D, <i>n</i> = 4,032), and an indication-specific patient-reported outcome measure (WOMAC, <i>n</i> = 4,213) and a performance test (Timed Up and Go Test - TUG, <i>n</i> = 3,354). Outcomes were dichotomized applying a distribution-based MCID and predicted using automated ML ensemble algorithms. Model performance was assessed in independent test data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Models predicted non-response with good discrimination (AUCs: TUG 0.771, WOMAC 0.704, EQ-5D 0.770); and varying calibration (TUG: acceptable, WOMAC: good, EQ-5D: poor). Admission values were the most important predictors, with better values resulting in a higher likelihood of not achieving a MCID.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>ML can predict MCID-based non-response after TKA rehabilitation using routinely collected admission data. Baseline status is a dominant driver, highlighting ceiling effects and the potential for bias, as well as the need for more precise outcome definitions and the search for suitable, independent predictors. Clinicians could use ML-based risk estimates to identify likely non-responders early, support personalized expectation management, and tailor therapy intensity or content. Translating these tools to practice will require prospective validation and integration into clinical workflows.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1930836"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13630954/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119513","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":"From aid dependency to market transformation: harnessing international trade and innovative business models to revitalize the assistive technology ecosystem in Africa.","authors":"Mendemwelabou Timothée Pakouyowou","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1905487","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2026.1905487","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Africa faces a widening and largely unaddressed gap in access to assistive technology (AT). More than 240 million people on the continent require at least one assistive product, yet fewer than 3% of those in sub-Saharan Africa currently have access. The principal causes are four interlocking structural market failures: restrictive trade policies that inflate import costs, chronically underdeveloped local manufacturing capacity, inadequate national health financing for rehabilitation, and the absence of sustainable business models capable of maintaining AT services beyond the lifespan of time-limited humanitarian projects. These failures manifest with markedly different severity across the continent's 54 countries; this paper does not treat Africa as a uniform policy environment and distinguishes throughout between stable lower-middle-income contexts and fragile or conflict-affected states. This paper draws on more than 18 years of direct field experience in humanitarian and development programming across Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Algeria, Niger, Ukraine, and Nigeria, combined with a non-systematic review of peer-reviewed literature and institutional reports published between 2015 and 2024. Four interconnected policy solutions are proposed and analysed: (i) tariff reform and regulatory harmonisation under the African Continental Free Trade Area; (ii) expansion of local prosthetic and orthotic manufacturing capacity through diversified technology transfer, encompassing South South, triangular, and North South cooperation modalities; (iii) development of sustainable service delivery and financing models, including social enterprise with tiered cross-subsidy, output-based public private partnerships, and social health insurance; and (iv) systematic demand financing through national insurance benefit expansion and results-based financing mechanisms. The paper concludes with differentiated, time-horizoned recommendations short-term, medium-term, and long-term addressed to four distinct stakeholder groups: African governments and the African Union, development organisations and donors, the private sector, and the humanitarian community, with explicit acknowledgement that feasibility varies sharply by country context. The central argument is that durable access to AT in Africa requires deliberate, context-adapted market architecture, not simply expanded humanitarian aid.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1905487"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13627308/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119559","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":"Effects of an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program on exercise capacity, muscle fatigue, dyspnea, and functional status in post-COVID-19 patients: non-randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Miriã C Oliveira, Paolo Capodaglio, Heren N C Paixão, Adriano L Fonseca, Larissa R Alves, Jairo B S Ribeiro Júnior, Rodrigo F Oliveira, Tiago V Fernandes, Daniel G Marconi, Rodrigo A C Andraus, Deise A A P Oliveira, Claudia S Oliveira, Carlos H M Silva, Orlando A Guedes, Wilson R Freitas Júnior, Luis V F Oliveira","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1921478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2026.1921478","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>COVID-19 may lead to persistent sequelae that impair functional capacity, resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, and limitations in activities of daily living.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate exercise capacity, fatigue, dyspnea, and functional status in patients following hospitalization for COVID-19 who underwent an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UniEVANGÉLICA (approval number 4,296,707; September 24, 2020) and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04982042). This prospective single-arm non-randomized clinical trial included symptomatic individuals after COVID-19 infection. Exercise capacity was assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test, muscle fatigue using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, and functional status using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale (PCFS). The PRP consisted of cardiorespiratory training and muscle strengthening exercises performed three times per week for six weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 54 patients were included (29 in the Ward Group and 25 in the ICU Group). After the PRP, 6MWT distance increased from 428.52 ± 104.5 m to 503.19 ± 98.04 m (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), mMRC dyspnea decreased from 3.50 ± 1.31 to 1.56 ± 0.60 (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), PCFS improved from 2.91 ± 0.59 to 0.63 ± 0.75 (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and FSS decreased from 4.68 ± 1.50 to 2.97 ± 1.55 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The Ward Group showed greater unadjusted gains than the ICU Group; however, multivariable analysis identified lower baseline 6MWD as the only independent predictor of improvement (<i>β</i> = -0.547; <i>p</i> < 0.001), whereas ICU admission was not independently associated with the magnitude of gain (<i>p</i> = 0.246).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The outpatient PRP was associated with significant improvements in exercise capacity, fatigue, dyspnea, and functional status. Lower baseline exercise capacity predicted greater improvement, regardless of ICU admission.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1921478"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623915/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149119604","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":"Immediate effects of the retrocapital pad and toe bar in sensorimotor foot orthoses on the electromyographic activity of the gastrocnemius muscle in healthy adults.","authors":"Stephan Becker, Jonas Dully, Alessia Arcieri, Lukas Maurer, Carlo Dindorf, Michael Fröhlich","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1887293","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1887293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sensorimotor foot orthoses (SMFOs) regulate muscle tone. Within this growing body of evidence, the impact of two SMFO elements, the retrocapital pad and toe bar, on the plantar flexors has not yet been investigated. It has been observed and postulated that combining these two elements may reduce calf muscle activity.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>This randomized crossover study included 29 healthy participants (age, 25.8 ± 6.5 years). Each participant performed 30-seconds walking and running trials on a treadmill to compare the SMFOs and no-foot orthoses (NFOs) conditions. The activities of the gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis were measured using surface electromyography (sEMG). Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was calculated and analyzed using a paired t-test-like statistic (significance level, <i>α</i> = 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences in muscle activity were observed between the SMFOs and NFOs conditions during either walking or running in healthy adults.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The effects of SMFOs observed in clinical practice may not appear to extend to healthy young adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1887293"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13619579/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149082901","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":"Statistical interval-based assessment of work disability using large-scale medical data: implications for public health and workforce participation.","authors":"Lyazat M Aktayeva, Aiman S Iskakova","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1851082","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1851082","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Work disability assessment is a key component of occupational health systems, influencing compensation, return-to-work decisions, and workforce management. However, variability in expert evaluations remains a major challenge. This study aims to identify recurring population-level patterns of disability severity using large-scale medical expert data.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective dataset of 4,863 disability assessments conducted between 2020 and 2024 was analyzed. After applying inclusion criteria, 2,065 observations across 161 ICD-10 diagnostic categories were included. Statistical analysis involved empirical distribution modeling, concentration function estimation, confidence interval analysis, and hypothesis testing. Robustness was assessed using Monte Carlo resampling. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the predefined intervals were frequently reproduced as dominant concentration intervals under repeated resampling.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Disability severity showed distinct concentration patterns across diagnostic groups. Moderate impairment cases were concentrated within the 30%-45% interval, while more severe cases clustered within the 46%-59% interval. These intervals captured more than 90% of observations in the major diagnostic groups. Differences in disability distributions between diagnostic groups were statistically significant (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the identified interval boundaries were recurrent under repeated resampling.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The proposed interval-based approach provides a reproducible, data-driven representation of work disability severity. Rather than demonstrating improved consistency in expert assessment, the findings identify recurring concentration patterns that may provide a quantitative reference for further research on disability assessment. Further external and clinical validation is required before the approach can be considered for implementation in disability assessment practice. These findings are relevant for population-level assessment of work disability and may inform public health monitoring and workforce participation policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1851082"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13619917/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149082908","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}