High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is one of the therapeutic approaches used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of HILT for reducing pain and improving functionality in people with MSD. Ten databases were systematically searched for randomized trials published up to 28 February 2022. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of HILT on MSD were included. The main outcome measures were pain and functionality. In total, 48 RCTs were included in the qualitative synthesis and 44 RCTs in the quantitative analysis. HILT showed a decrease on the pain VAS (mean difference (MD) = −1.3 cm; confidence interval (CI) 95%: −1.6 to −1.0) and an improvement in functionality (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −1.0; CI95%: −1.4 to −0.7), with low and moderate quality of evidence, respectively. A greater effect was observed when compared with control than with other conservative treatments, both on pain (χ2 = 20.6; p < 0.001) and functionality (χ2 = 5.1; p = 0.02). Differences in the effectiveness of HILT were found depending on the location (χ2 = 40.1 p < 0.001), with further improved functionality in MSD of the knee and shoulder. HILT is an effective treatment for improving pain, functionality, range of motion, and quality of life in people with MSD, although these findings must be treated with caution due to the high risk of bias in the studies. Further clinical trials should be well designed to lower the risk of bias.

Objective: To compare the correlation of Visual Analog Scale with pain subsections of Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and Constant-Murley Score in subacromial pain syndrome patients. Design: Single cross-sectional analysis. Setting: Hospital Rehabilitation Department. Methods: The assessment tools were applied at baseline. Correlations between Visual Analog Scale, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and Constant-Murley Score pain subsections were assessed by Pearson correlation coefficient. Linear regression models were calculated between scales. Statistical significance was set at two-sided p < 0.05. Results: Forty-three patients were included. Pearson’s correlation between assessments was for Visual Analog Scale-Shoulder Pain Disability Index-pain ( r = 0.61, p < 0.001) and for Visual Analog Scale-Constant Murley Score-pain were ( r = −0.74, p < 0.001). Visual Analog Scale-Shoulder Pain and Disability Index-pain determination coefficient was r² = 0.37 and r² = 0.54 for Visual Analog Scale-Constant-Murley Score-pain. Conclusions: Visual Analog Scale showed better correlation with Constant Murley Score-pain than with Shoulder Pain and Disability Index-pain in subacromial pain syndrome patients.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of thermal and sub-thermal capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency at 448 kHz plus exercising compared to sham radiofrequency plus exercising on pain, functionality, and quality of life in patients with subacromial pain. Design: Randomized, controlled, parallel, double-blind, three-arm clinical trial. Setting: Hospital and Primary Care. Subjects: Eighty-one participants with subacromial pain in three intervention groups. Interventions: Three interventions with capacitive-resistive radiofrequency (thermal, sub-thermal, and sham) over 9 sessions (3 per week) plus an exercising protocol identical for all groups over 15 sessions (5 per week). Outcome measures: Visual analogue scale and pressure pain threshold for pain, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand for functionality, and quality of life via the European Quality of Life-Five Dimensions were assessed at baseline, immediately posttreatment, and 1 month and 3 months post-intervention. Results: No between-group differences were found in the pain visual analogue scale (F = 1.0; P = 0.37), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (F = 1.0; P = 0.36), European Quality of Life-Five Dimensions (F = 0.76; P = 0.47), and pressure pain (F = 0.14; P = 0.86) outcomes, with a statistical power < 0.30 for all comparisons. Between-group differences were found in the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (F = 3.4; P < 0.038), with an improvement of −14.1 points (confidence interval at 95% (95% CI) −28.1 to −0.1) in the thermal versus the sham group at 1 month follow-up. The mobility dimension of European Quality of Life-Five Dimensions improved in a greater proportion of participants in the thermal group (22.2% thermal, 7.4% sub-thermal, and 0.0% sham; P = 0.02) Conclusion: Adding thermal radiofrequency to exercising can further improve slightly functionality and mobility in people with subacromial pain in the short term, but not pain perception. Future studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to increase statistical power.

(1) Objective: This study analyzes the evolution of the body mass index (BMI) throughout the academic year associated with changes in the lifestyle associated with the place where students live during the course, lifestyle design, and health strategies for the university community. (2) Methods: A total of 93 first-year nursing students participated in this study. Data were collected throughout the course by administering self-reported questionnaires about eating habits and lifestyles, weight, and height to calculate their BMI and place of residence throughout the course. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis (Mann–Whitney, chi-square, Student’s t-test, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and least significant difference tests). (3) Results: We found that the mean BMI increases significantly throughout the course among all students regardless of sex, age, eating habits, or where they live during the course. At the beginning of the course, the mean BMI was 22.10 ± 3.64. The mean difference between the beginning of the course and the middle has a value of p-value < 0.015 and between the middle of the course and the end a p-value < 0.009. The group that increased the most is found among students who continue to live in the family nucleus rather than those who live alone or in residence. Students significantly changed their eating and health habits, especially those who live alone or in residence. (4) Conclusions: There is an increase in BMI among students. It is necessary to carry out seminars or talks that can help students understand the importance of good eating practices and healthy habits to maintain their weight and, therefore, their health, in the short, medium, and long term and acquire a good quality of life.