Life expectancy in Spain has increased and older people need more health care to improve their quality of life. The high demands of the population sometimes collapse health services, making them insufficient to cover their needs, which leads to the development of “non-professional caregivers”. These caregivers have suffered musculoskeletal injuries of the cervical spine and shoulders and should be guided and assessed on ergonomics, biomechanics, or kinesiotherapy. However, there are no interventions to help them care for themselves. This study presents the application of a physical exercise programme to prevent these disorders in women caregivers of dependent patients. It consists of a randomised controlled clinical trial with two groups: both received a family caregiver care programme, and the intervention group also received a physical therapeutic exercise programme for 12 weeks. A total of 62 caregivers completed the study, who were mostly daughters or wives of dependents. Of these, 70.97% presented a “moderate” pain intensity and a cervical disability of 13.72 ± 7.64 points in the NDI questionnaire in the initial evaluation. In the intervention group of caregivers, there was a significant decrease in the pain intensity and a significant increase (p < 0.05) in all cervical joint amplitude movements. Caregivers present a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. The physical exercise programme was effective in reducing the intensity of pain, lumbar disability, and cervical disability of the family caregivers.

Background: Family caregivers play a crucial role in the overall healthcare system and in our society. The elderly population is significantly increasing, which creates a high demand for family caregivers. Few studies have investigated the impact of caregiving on musculoskeletal pain or proposed an active approach for dealing with it. Objectives: To determine and characterize musculoskeletal pain in female family caregivers (FFCs) and assess the effects of adding a therapeutic exercise program to a family caregiver care program (FCCP) on the quality of life, physical conditions, and psychological well-being of FFCs. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with 68 FFCs recruited in two public healthcare areas. The intervention and control groups received the same conventional FCCP for 6 h across 4 sessions. The intervention group received an additional 36 sessions of physical therapeutic exercise (PTE) program over 12 weeks. Results: All caregivers reported having pain in particular locations. Lower back pain and neck pain were the locations most frequently cited, with a prevalence of 69.4% and 56.7%, respectively. In total, 80% of participants presented moderate pain intensity. The intervention group showed a significant decrease in the intensity of the pain (p < 0.001), as well as in anxiety, depression, subjective burden perception (p < 0.01), and quality-of-life variables, including MCS (mental component summary) (p < 0.05) and PCS (physical component summary) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A PTE program improved the musculoskeletal pain of FFCs in a clinically relevant way. The caregivers who improved the most were those who initially presented the most intense pain, had the greatest levels of disability, and had the lowest quality of life.

Introduction: PNE, focusing on cognitive aspects, aims to change patients’ beliefs about pain. However, it is unclear if these cognitive changes are sufficient to influence other components such as neuroplastic changes. Objective: To assess whether 3-h pain neuroscience education (PNE) can induce changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and pain intensity in chronic pain patients. Methods: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted with 66 participants aged 18–65 years old (50.86 ± 8.61) with chronic primary musculoskeletal pain divided into two groups: an intervention group receiving 3-h PNE lecture and a control group that received an educational booklet. Primary outcomes included plasma BDNF levels and perceived pain intensity (VAS). Secondary outcomes included anxiety (HADS-A), depression (HADS-D), catastrophizing (PCS), kinesiophobia (TSK), stress (PSS), and knowledge about pain. Measurements were taken in both groups before and after a three-hour intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and Cohen’s d for effect sizes. Results: The results showed no significant changes in BDNF levels for the PNE lecture group (p = 0.708) or the educational booklet group (p = 0.298). Both groups showed significant reductions in pain intensity (PNE: p < 0.001, d = 0.70; booklet: p = 0.036, d = 0.39). Secondary variables, such as knowledge (PNE: p < 0.001, d = −0.972; booklet: p < 0.001, d = −0.975) and anxiety (PNE: p < 0.001, d = 0.70; booklet: p = 0.035, d = 0.39), also showed significant improvements. Conclusions: PNE did not significantly change BDNF levels but effectively improved pain intensity, pain-related knowledge, and other clinical variables. These findings suggest that while PNE has cognitive benefits, it may not be sufficient to induce immediate neurobiological changes. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and incorporate additional therapeutic domains.

Objectives: The aim of the study were to (1) investigate what physical and physiological parameters are most important for Frame Running capacity, a parasport for individuals with ambulatory difficulties, and (2) determine whether Frame Running capacity can be predicted in athletes with cerebral palsy. Design: Athletes with cerebral palsy (N = 62, Gross Motor Classification System I–V; 2/26/11/21/2) completed a 6-min Frame Running test. Before the 6-min Frame Running test, muscle thickness, passive range of motion (hip, knee, ankle), selective motor control, and spasticity (hip, knee, ankle) were measured in both legs. In total, 54 variables per individual were included. Data were analyzed using correlations, principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least square regression, and variable importance in projection analysis. Results: The mean 6-min Frame Running test distance was 789 ± 335 m and decreased with motor function severity. The orthogonal partial least square analysis revealed a modest degree of covariance in the variables analyzed and that the variance in the 6-min Frame Running test distance could be predicted with 75% accuracy based on all the variables measured. Variable importance in projection analysis indicated hip and knee extensor spasticity (negative effect), and muscle thickness (positive effect) arose as the most important factors contributing to Frame Running capacity. Conclusions: These results are an important resource to enable optimization of training regimes to improve Frame Running capacity and contribute to evidence-based and fair classification for this parasport.