Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively decreases the muscular and functional capacity.

This study investigated the long-term effect (six-months) of a Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program on pain perception, quality of life, kinesiophobia and catastrophism in older adults with multimorbidity and chronic pain. Fifty participants (n = 50) were randomly assigned to the pain education therapy group (PET; n = 24) and control group (CG; n = 26). The PET group received six sessions (i.e., once a week, 50 min) about neurophysiology of pain while the CG carried on with their usual life. Perception of pain through the visual analogue scale (VAS), quality of life (EQ-5D questionnaire), kinesiophobia (TSK-11) and catastrophism (PCS) were assessed after six months since the last PNE session. Statistically significant differences on VAS (t₍₄₈₎ = 44, p = 0.01, ES = 0.42 [0.13, 0.65]) was found in favor to PET group. No other statistically significant differences were found. This study found that the application of a PNE intervention in an isolated form was able to significantly reduce pain perception with low effect size in the long-term (six months after intervention) in elderly people with chronic pain.

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) produces alterations in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which explains the cardiac manifestations observed in patients. The assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) is what best reflects the activity of the ANS on heart rate. The Polar H7 Bluetooth^® device proves to be a non-invasive and much faster technology than existing alternatives for this purpose. Objective: The goal of this study is to determine HRV using Polar H7 Bluetooth technology in ALS patients, comparing the obtained measurements with values from healthy individuals. Method: The sample consisted of 124 participants: 68 diagnosed with ALS and 56 healthy individuals. Using Polar H7 Bluetooth technology and the ELITE HRV application, various HRV measurements were determined for all participants, specifically the HRV index, RMSSD, RMSSD LN, SDNN index, PNN50, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio, HR average, and HF peak frequency. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between ALS patients and healthy individuals in the HRV index, RMSSD, RMSSD LN, SDNN index, PNN50, HF, and LF, where healthy individuals exhibited higher scores. For the HR average, the ALS group showed a higher value. Values were similar when comparing men and women with ALS, with only a higher HF peak frequency observed in women. Conclusion: The Polar H7 Bluetooth^® device is effective in determining heart rate variability alterations in ALS, being a promising prognostic tool for the disease.

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of electrical activity and motor control at the muscular level. Therapeutic alternatives, such as the polyphenolic antioxidants curcumin and resveratrol in liposome form, or the drug dutasteride, could be effective for muscular activity. Objective: To measure the acute change in electrical muscle activation after administration of a combination of curcumin in liposomal form, resveratrol, and dutasteride in patients with ALS. Materials and methods: Patients with bulbar and spinal ALS were selected and randomly distributed into an intervention group (IG), which received an oral combination of curcumin in liposomal form/resveratrol^® and dutasteride for 2 months, and a control group (CG), which received a placebo. Electrical activity to determine basal muscle activation and fasciculations was measured before and after the intervention using surface electromyography of the biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), rectus femoris (RF), and tibialis anterior (TA). Within comparisons of pre and post-muscular variations in each group were conducted. Results: Electrical basal activity increased only for the IG in the right (p = 0.05; g = −0.45) and left (p = 0.004; g = −0.74) hemibody muscles and also presented less variation among them after treatment in the IG. For fasciculations, there was an increase in the total activation of the upper muscles in the IG (p = 0.017; g = −0.86) and for the lower muscles in the CG (p = 0.037; g = −0.68). The pattern of muscle activation remained constant in the IG but experienced variations in the CG.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, including emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. These emotional symptoms currently have a pharmacological treatment with limited effectiveness; therefore, it is necessary to delve into their relationship with other psychological, functional, or prefrontal alterations. Additionally, exploring non-pharmacological therapeutic alternatives that have shown benefits in addressing emotional distress in MS patients is essential. Aim: To establish a predictive model for the presence of anxiety and depression in MS patients, based on variables such as psychological well-being, functional activity, and prefrontal symptoms. Additionally, this study aimed to propose non-pharmacological therapeutic alternatives based on this model. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 64 diagnosed MS patients who underwent functional and cognitive assessments using the following questionnaires and scales: Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), Experiences Questionnaire (EQ), Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI). Results: The model showed an excellent fit to the data and indicated that psychological well-being was the most significant predictor of the criteria (β = −0.83), followed by functional activity (β = −0.18) and prefrontal symptoms (β = 0.15). The latter two are negatively related to psychological well-being (β = −0.16 and β = −0.75, respectively). Conclusions: Low psychological well-being is the variable that most significantly predicts the presence of anxiety and depression in MS patients, followed by functional activity and prefrontal alterations. Interventions based on mindfulness and acceptance are recommended, along with nutritional interventions such as antioxidant-enriched ketogenic diets and moderate group physical exercise.

Wheelchair fencing is a medium-distance combat sport in which the wheelchair is fixed to the floor. This requires a maximum concentration and gestational speed. Refined techniques and fatigue tolerance are essential to achieve competitive results. Aim: The main objective of this study was to measure the speed and muscular participation of a direct attack gesture with and without fatigue in a sample of elite wheelchair fencers. Methods: The maximal isometric force, gestural speed, and resistance to gestural velocity were estimated in 10 elite performed direct fencers. Results: The results revealed that sitting height and wingspan were important factors in achieving the highest speed, especially in women (r = 0.9; p = 0.07). Other factors, such as the elbow angle where the closed position was better, affected muscle contraction in both categories of athletes (p = 0.01). The onset of fatigue was earlier in category B than in category A, with greater variation in direct attack movement. The results highlight the importance of analyzing direct attacks for the best application of quick force, speed, and muscle participation, as well as identifying the onset of technical deterioration to devise a competitive strategy. These parameters may allow for precise design of conditioning sessions for elite wheelchair shooters.