Neurorehabilitation is a fundamental aspect in the treatment approach for multiple sclerosis (MS), in which new technologies have gained popularity, especially the use of virtual reality (VR). The aim of this paper is to analyze an occupational therapy (OT) intervention compared with OT + VR (OT + VR) on the manual dexterity of patients with MS. 26 MS subjects were initially recruited from an MS patient association and randomized into two groups. The OT group received 20 conventional OT sessions distributed in two sessions per week. The OT + VR group received 20 sessions of VR interventions, twice weekly and lasting 30 minutes, consisting of VR games accessed via the online web pagemotiongamingconsole.com, in addition to the conventional OT sessions. Pre- and postintervention assessments were based on the Purdue Pegboard Test, the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, and the Grooved Pegboard Test. Clinical improvements were found regarding the precision of movements, the execution times, and the efficiency of certain functional tasks in the Purdue Pegboard Test and Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test tests in the OT + VR group. Although significant differences were not found in the manual dexterity between the OT and OT + VR groups, improvements were found regarding the precision and effectiveness of certain functional tasks.

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental health and quality of life of male and female physical therapy students at the European University of Madrid. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted including a range of tests capturing different domains: 36-item Short Form Health Survey, six-item state version of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Three Items Loneliness Scale, four-item version of the Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory revised version, and Sleep Quality Numeric Rating Scale. (3) Results: A total of 151 students completed the study, consisting of 78 females and 73 males. Gender differences were observed on most of the domains evaluated. Female participants showed worse levels of general health perception, quality of life, depression symptoms, anxiety, stress, experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility, sleep quality and loneliness compared to male physical therapy students. (4) Conclusions: The results of this study support the need of psychological interventions as preventive programs in situations such as COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study comprise of improving knowledge, awareness, and self-coping strategies or other psychological domains oriented to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and health-related quality of life in university students, especially among female ones.

Cognitive impairment is frequent in elderly subjects. It is associated with motor impairment, a limitation in quality of life and frequently, institutionalization. The aim of this work is to test the efficacy of a therapeutic group program based on action-observation learning. Methods: a non-randomized controlled trial study was conducted. We included 40 patients with cognitive impairment from a nursing home who were categorized into mild and moderate cognitive impairment and divided separately into a control and experimental group. Experimental group performed a 4-week group work, in which each patient with mild cognitive impairment was paired with a patient with moderate cognitive impairment. Thus, patients with mild cognitive impairment observed a series of functional exercises performed by their peers and replicated them. Simultaneously, the patients with moderate cognitive impairment replicated the movement after observing it performed by a patient with mild cognitive impairment. The control group continued to receive their usual care at the center. The upper limb function, cognitive level and function in basic activities of human daily life were measured before and after the intervention and compared with the control group. Results: statistically significant differences were found in the functionality of basic activities of daily living, in the functionality of the upper limb and in the cognitive level in all patients in the experimental group regardless of the initial cognitive level. No statistically significant differences were found in the control group. Conclusions: the implementation of a group, peer-based, action-observation learning therapeutic program is effective in improving the basic activities of human daily life, cognitive level and upper limb functionality in patients with mild and moderate dementia.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the creation of different teaching adaptations shared in health degrees, such as blended teaching methods, including face-to-face learning combined with online learning. Objectives: One objective was to compare the academic performance scores aligned to worked competencies during physiotherapy internships between two groups: one exposed to a blended learning (b-learning) educational model and another exposed to a face-to-face teaching system during internships. Another objective was to study the correlation of the marks of the following year’s internship subject. Design: Analytical study of retrospective cohorts. Settings: Physiotherapy university degree program. Participants: Three hundred students working towards attaining Physiotherapy degrees. Methods: Two groups were studied: the Non-Exposed Cohort, which had 100% face-to-face attendance at the clinical center, and the Exposed Cohort, which experienced b-learning and had 50% attendance at the clinical practice center and 50% completion of asynchronous online complementary training during lockdown. Results: The results show that both in the Exposed Cohort and in the Non-Exposed Cohort, the qualifications and, therefore, the competence development achieved by the students were similar. A stronger correlation with skills activities developed in the Exposed Cohort in relation to the final mark of the following year’s internship subject has been found. Discussion and Conclusions: For all the competencies developed during CS II, participants obtained the same grades in both groups, so it is concluded that the online activities implemented during confinement mixed with face-to-face teaching were useful for the achievement of these skills. Thus, b-learning is a good method for developing clinical practice competencies in physiotherapy students. Contribution of the Paper: Blended teaching (b-teaching) is useful for developing internship competencies. It is necessary to align the activities developed in internships with the evaluated skills.

Chronic pain affects one in three people globally, impacting work performance through absenteeism, presenteeism, and reduced productivity. Factors like mental health, poor sleep, and unhealthy diets exacerbate pain and impair efficiency. Addressing these issues through workplace programs and lifestyle changes could enhance productivity and well-being, improving overall workforce health. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between chronic pain, mental health, lifestyle factors, and work productivity among Spanish adults. This cross-sectional study analyzed chronic pain in adults. Variables included pain intensity, work productivity, physical activity, diet, psychological health, sleep, and smartphone use. Data were collected via validated questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression models to identify predictors of work productivity. This study analyzed 127 adults with chronic pain (72.4% female, mean age 48.12 years). Most had musculoskeletal pain (93.7%), with lumbopelvic (22%) and cervical (15%) regions most affected. Moderate-severe insomnia (61%) and high sedentary work prevalence (65.4%) were noted. Work productivity and absenteeism were associated with pain, mental health symptoms, and insomnia. Depression related negatively to physical activity and diet adherence, while smartphone use correlated with higher depression and anxiety. Insomnia was linked to lower activity and greater psychological distress. Pain intensity and stress explained 18.9% of the variance in health impact on work productivity. Pain intensity and stress were significantly associated with reduced work productivity in individuals with chronic pain. Implementing strategies for pain management, stress reduction, and sleep improvement, along with promoting healthy habits in the workplace, is recommended.

Research on healthy aging increasingly highlights the importance of muscle function, strength, and mass due to their pivotal roles in intrinsic capacity, frailty, sarcopenia, and overall health. Physical exercise remains a cornerstone strategy for enhancing these parameters. This study aimed to assess the impact of functional gait training using the sequential square mat (SSM) Fisior® program on physical performance, muscle mass and strength, and overall mobility in aging populations. A randomized clinical trial was conducted with older adults aged 60 years and older from the Comprehensive Senior Adult Center (CIAM) in Lima, Peru. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (structured physical activity workshops: gymnastics, dance, swimming, and Tai Chi) or an intervention group (same workshops plus SSM Fisior® program for 35 min, three times weekly). The 12-week intervention’s impact was analyzed using linear regression models to calculate β coefficients, standard errors, 95% confidence intervals, and p-values. Among 47 participants (95.74% women, mean age 72.66 years), 29 (61.70%) were in the intervention group and 18 (38.30%) in the control group. Significant improvements were observed in the adjusted model (by age and sex) for the Timed Up and Go Test (B = -1.43, p = 0.002), calf circumference (B = -0.10, p = 0.001), grip strength (B = -0.05, p = 0.004), and Barthel index (B = -0.02, p = 0.001). No association was found with other variables: Short Physical Performance Battery, abdominal circumference, and Sarc-F. Integrating the SSM Fisior® program into physical activity workshops enhances muscle activity and functional performance, in terms of Timed Up and Go Test, muscle strength, functionality and calf circumference, supporting its value in promoting healthy aging. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07006584. Retrospectively registered, Date of registration May 05, 2025. • To evaluate the effects of functional gait training using the sequential square mat (SSM) Fisior® program on mobility, muscle mass, and strength in older adults. • Older adults who participated in the SSM Fisior® program showed significant improvements in functional mobility (Up & Go test), muscle strength (grip strength), muscle mass (calf circumference), and daily functioning (Barthel index) compared to the control group. • Incorporating the SSM Fisior® program into existing physical activity routines effectively supports healthy aging by improving key physical functions in older adults.