Non-pharmacological treatments help control tension-type headache; however, evidence about their effectiveness is still limited. This study evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapy based on cervical spine kinesiotherapy and posture correction exercises compared to a programme of relaxation techniques only (Schultz's Autogenic Training, AT). Tension-type headache is very common among university students. We randomly selected 152 university students with a diagnosis of tension-type headache according to the criteria of the International Headache Society. Eighty-four were women (55.3%) and 68 were men (44.7%). Mean age was 20.42±2.36 years. The study design is a randomised controlled trial of a non-pharmacological intervention with a blinded evaluation of response variables. We compared the results of two independent samples: AT was used in one of the groups while the other group received AT plus cervical spine kinesiotherapy and posture correction training. Patients recorded any changes in the parameters of pain (frequency, intensity, and duration) and drug consumption in a headache diary before treatment, at 4 weeks, and at 3 months. Both interventions achieved a decrease in all the parameters of pain; however, decreases in frequency and intensity were more significant in the combined treatment group (P<0.01) (d=0.4). Such active, non-invasive therapies as AT and cervical spine kinesiotherapy, and especially the combination of both, effectively reduce tension-type headache by preventing and managing the potential psychophysical causes of this disorder. Future research should aim to assess the long-term effects of these interventions.

Physical therapists, because of their care work, are susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to their caregiving duties. These disorders have a significant economic and social impact. Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists and their associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional design study was conducted among physical therapists who were working in the Community of Madrid. An online questionnaire was used and distributed through the professional association. This questionnaire included sociodemographic and occupational variables as well as the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, specifically designed for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms in an ergonomic or occupational health context. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: 212 questionnaires were analyzed. 98.1% reported a musculoskeletal problem in the past 12 months. The most affected regions were the neck (85.4%), upper back (59.4%), lower back (73.1%), shoulder (53.8%), and wrist and hand (63.2%). Neck disorders were associated with women (AOR = 2.41; 95%CI = 1.20–4.82); shoulder disorders with women (AOR = 7.79; 95%CI = 1.02–56.64) and older age (AOR = 1.06; 95%CI = 1.01–1.11); lower back disorders with women (AOR = 3.86; 95%CI = 1.11–13.49), a four-year bachelor’s degree (AOR = 3.56; 95%CI = 1.09–11.62), treating trauma patients (AOR = 0.13; 95%CI = 0.02–0.62), and using manual therapy (AOR = 0.34; 95%CI = 0.15–0.78). Conclusions: 98.1% of the physical therapists reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the past 12 months. Several variables were associated with musculoskeletal disorders: gender, level of education, age, and type of patient and treatment. Further research is needed to identify preventive measures that can reduce the high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among physical therapists.

Background and Objectives: Whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy presents controversial evidence regarding its effectiveness in improving lower limb functional capacity in children with cerebral palsy (CP), particularly when applied continuously as an adjunct to a physiotherapy program with demonstrated efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of adding WBV to an intensive therapeutic exercise and functional training program in improving lower limb functional capacity in children with spastic CP. Materials and Methods: Thirty children with spastic CP were randomly assigned to a control or experimental group. Both groups completed a 4-week intensive therapeutic exercise and functional training program (4 sessions/week). The experimental group additionally received daily WBV. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in all analysed variables at 1, 2, and 6 months post-treatment (p < 0.001). However, no significant between-group differences were found for primary (GMFM-88 D: p = 0.80; GMFM-88 E: p = 0.91) or secondary outcomes in relation to muscle tone and strength, and balance. A trend toward greater improvement was observed in the experimental group but without statistical significance. Conclusions: The addition of WBV to an intensive program of therapeutic exercise and functional training does not yield additional benefits in motor function, spasticity, gait capacity, lower limb muscle strength, or balance compared to intensive physiotherapy and functional training alone in children with spastic CP. The significant within-group improvements can be attributed to the intensive physiotherapy intervention, comprising therapeutic exercises and functional training.

Background: The objective was to analyze the factors that influence reactions to confinement situations, such as personality, humor, coping with stressors, and resilience, and to compare this population with a normal situation of exposure to an intense academic stressor such as a partial test, and with the confinement situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A longitudinal study was performed involving 116 health sciences students from Spain. Three situations were evaluated: a basal situation of normality at the beginning of the course, situation facing an academic stressor (partial test), and confinement situation due to COVID-19. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and NEO-FFI scale were used. Results: Significant differences were observed in the increase in negative humor and decrease in positive one, as well as decrease in “Focus on and Venting of Emotions”. Personality factors that better predict humor at confinement were “conscientiousness” for having positive humor and low “extraversion” for negative humor. Conclusions: The confinement situation due to COVID-19 has caused changes in predominant humor, as well as in coping strategies. Personality factors positively or negatively influence the situation.

La discapacidad siempre ha sido objeto de muchas miradas estereotipadas y prejuicios que con los años se han ido modificando. Estas actitudes pueden aprenderse en la infancia y desarrollarse posteriormente de forma positiva o negativa. Metodología: el objetivo del presente estudio, descriptivo transversal, fue observar y analizar las actitudes de 460 personas encuestadas hacia las personas con discapacidad teniendo en cuenta distintas variables, ámbitos y contextos, aplicando para ello la Escala de actitudes hacia las personas con discapacidad. Forma G, de Verdugo, Arias y Jenaro. Resultados y conclusiones: los resultados reflejaron actitudes positivas que se ven influidas por algunas variables como el contacto con personas con discapacidad, el sexo, la formación, el ámbito laboral y el tipo de discapacidad que se conoce. Originalidad: se pretende abrir un espacio de debate en el que se contemple una posible futura remodelación de la escala aplicada, para actualizar sus términos e ítems y reducir la ambigüedad del instrumento.