(1) Background: Due to the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, rehabilitation centres have become less available for neurological patients. This is the result of efforts to physically distance society, to try to slow the spread of the pathogen. Health care facilities were mainly restricted to urgent cases, while most physiotherapy treatments, mainly for patients with chronic conditions, were suspended. Some countries have seen a reduction in acute stroke hospital admissions of from 50% to 80%. One solution to the above problem is the use of telerehabilitation in the home environment as an alternative to inpatient rehabilitation. (2) Aim of the study: The purpose of this review is to analyse the benefits and limitations of teletherapy in relation to the functional condition of post-stroke patients. (3) Methods: Selected publications from 2019 to 2021 on the telerehabilitation of stroke patients were reviewed. The review was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. (4) Results: Studies have proven that teletherapy significantly improves the functional condition of post-stroke patients, resulting in improved quality of life and faster return to independence (while maintaining maximum possible precautions related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic). (5) Conclusions: Analysis of the study results showed comparable effectiveness of rehabilitation in the tele system to inpatient therapy. However, it should be emphasised that patients undergoing telerehabilitation must meet strict conditions to be eligible for this type of treatment program. However, the strength of the evidence itself supporting the effectiveness of this method ranks low due to the limited number of randomised control trials (RCT), small number of participants, and heterogeneous trials.
(1) Background: Lipoedema is a disease characterized by excessive bilateral and symmetrical accumulation of subcutaneous tissue in the lower extremities. It is a poorly understood condition, and low awareness of its existence often leads to incorrect diagnosis Initially, lipoedema was considered to be completely independent of lifestyle Currently, however, more and more cases of the coexistence of lipoedema and obesity are described in the literature as additionally affecting the severity of the disease The aim of the review is to present lipoedema as a social problem. (2) Methods: Materials on lipoedema in the social context were selected from 2018–2021. The PRISMA-Scr checklist was used in the review. (3) Results: Research has shown that more than 3/4 of patients with lipoedema are also overweight or obese. Patients with lipoedema have many comorbidities, and their presence negatively affects the quality of life. The quality of life in patients with lipoedema is lower than in healthy patients. (4) Conclusions: The number of studies available on lipoedema is low. Obesity is common in patients with lipoedema. Mental disorders increase the level of experienced pain. Lipoedema significantly reduces quality of life. A healthy lifestyle in patients with lipoedema could be helpful for prevention of complications and disability.
(1) Background: The Strengthening Program for Intensive Developmental Exercises and Activities for Reaching Health Capability (SPIDER) system is dedicated to patients with motor deficits resulting from damage to the peripheral or central nervous system (including post-stroke patients). It enables the conduct of forced-weight-bearing therapy to the lower limb affected by the paresis. In this study, the TYMO® measuring platform was used to quantify the impact of therapy using the SPIDER system and therapy that did not use this system. The TYMO® device is a portable posturography platform that monitors the tilting of the body’s center of mass and reports the results of the rehabilitation process. (2) Objective: To evaluate the effect of therapy based on neurophysiological methods (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), neurodevelopmental treatment according to the Bobath concept (NDT-Bobath)) and the SPIDER system on body weight transfer shifting, in post-stroke patients in the chronic phase, compared to therapy based on neurophysiological methods (PNF, NDT-Bobath), without the use of the SPIDER system. (3) Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial in which patients (n = 120; adults, post-ischemic stroke—first stroke episode, in chronic phase—up to 5 years after the stroke incident) were assigned to one of two groups: study, n = 60 (with therapy using PNF, NDT-Bobath methods and the SPIDER system); and control, n = 60 (with therapy using PNF and NDT-Bobath methods, without the SPIDER system). In patients in both groups, before and after the training (2 weeks of therapy), body weight distribution was measured on the TYMO® platform. (4) Results and Conclusions: The results of the statistical analysis demonstrated a greater reduction in the tilt of the body’s center of mass in therapy using the SPIDER system, compared to therapy in which the system was not used.
Background and Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which gait and balance disturbances substantially increase the risk of falls and loss of independence. Pharmacological treatment alleviates several motor symptoms but has limited effects on postural instability. Backward walking (BW), a demanding locomotor task, has recently been investigated as both an assessment tool and a rehabilitation strategy in PD. The purpose of this focused systematic review is to analyse the benefits and limitations of retro walking in relation to the gait parameters and balance control of PD patients. Materials and Methods: A structured literature search (2015–2025) was conducted across multiple databases in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Eligibility criteria, screening procedures, and qualitative synthesis methods were predefined. Nine studies (including two randomized controlled trials) met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using PEDro and ROBINS-I tools, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Results: The research results indicate within-group improvements in balance and gait parameters following BW training. Some of the included studies also suggest that BW may be a sensitive marker of balance deficits and fall risk. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneity of interventions, and a predominance of non-randomized designs. Conclusions: Current evidence regarding BW in PD remains preliminary. While BW may be considered as a supplementary component of rehabilitation, its specific efficacy cannot be clearly distinguished from general exercise effects. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are required.
Background: Statistics show that the number of patients suffering from stroke and living with disability as a result has increased significantly worldwide between 1990 and 2021. This implies the necessity of continuous improvement of both treatment methods and rehabilitation, which is essential in the treatment process. According to the International Classification of Functioning (ICF), as many as 88% of patients do not regain functionality in their affected upper limbs six months after a vascular incident, which negatively affects their quality of life. Upper limb rehabilitation using robots is a progressive approach to restoring not only lost limb function, but above all, independence in activities of daily living. Aim of the study: The aim of this review is to determine the actual effects of rehabilitation using various robots in patients after cerebrovascular accidents and to compare these effects with those achieved by patients who participated in a non-robotic rehabilitation program. Methods: Studies published between 2019 and 2025 were included in the analysis. The analysis was written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Results: Studies have shown improvement in upper limb function in patients exercising both with and without the use of a robot, but statistical data clearly show better results in patients undergoing therapy with robots. Conclusions: Studies have shown that the use of a rehabilitation program involving robots brings measurable improvements in many different aspects of upper limb function, and evidence confirming the effectiveness of this therapy encourages further research, refinement, and dissemination of this method and technology.