Patients with COVID-19 suffering in the acute phase from both the sequelae of the disease and prolonged immobilization require a rehabilitation phase for functional recovery and a comprehensive functional evaluation. This study proposes using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) as a global functional assessment tool to quantify rehabilitation outcomes in post-COVID patients. Additionally, investigating the effect of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on patients with musculoskeletal comorbidities was another key research question. Two post-COVID rehabilitation programs were retrospectively analyzed as follows: one consisting of kinesiotherapy combined with High-Intensity Laser Therapy for patients with musculoskeletal comorbidities and the other consisting of kinesiotherapy alone. Functional evaluation using 6MWT was conducted before and after 10 daily therapeutic sessions with 33 ambulatory patients divided into 2 groups (18 patients treated with HILT and kinesiotherapy vs. 15 patients treated with kinesiotherapy only). The 6MWT was successfully completed by 32 out of 33 patients (96.96%), with performance improvements ranging from 3% to 60% among patients. Statistical differences were also observed between the groups, suggesting that the 6MWT is a sensitive, objective, and valuable tool for functional assessment of post-COVID rehabilitation, supporting the potential benefits of HILT in enhancing functional recovery.

The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is critical for patellar stability. This study investigates the efficacy of a one-year physical therapy rehabilitation program following MPFL reconstruction using Synthetic Graft (SG) and Quadriceps Tendon Autograft (QTA). Thirty-five patients aged 18–38 underwent MPFL reconstruction (20 SG, 15 QTA). They participated in a structured rehabilitation program to improve their range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, pain management, and overall quality of life (QoL). The program included physiotherapy and MLS laser, Game Ready Therapy, EMS, TENS, TECAR, and lymphatic drainage. Before and after the program, assessments included knee flexion and extension using goniometry, muscle strength via the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, knee circumference, pain intensity on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and QoL with the EQ-5D instrument. Significant improvements were observed in knee flexion (37.57° vs. 114.71°, p < 0.001), muscle strength (MRC scale 1–4 points vs. 4–5 points, p < 0.001), and pain reduction (VAS 6.66 vs. 0.46, p < 0.001). The functional coefficient of mobility and QoL scores also markedly increased. Patients with QTA improved some parameters better than those with SG. These findings support the effectiveness of a comprehensive rehabilitation program in enhancing knee functionality, reducing pain, and improving QoL post-MPFL reconstruction. Personalized rehabilitation protocols are recommended to optimize recovery outcomes.

Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) is used in the rehabilitation of patients with shoulder periarthritis (SP) to promote tendon regeneration. This quasi-experimental non-randomized comparative study included 36 cases of SP, divided into two groups, and aimed to comparatively investigate the analgesic and functional effects of two different rESWT protocols. In Group One, the protocol involved an energy level of 210 J/session, a frequency of 10 Hz, and 2500 impulses per session. In Group Two, the protocol used an energy level of 190 J/session, a frequency of 10–15 Hz, and 2000 impulses per session. Treatments were administered over three sessions in Group One and five sessions in Group Two, with one-week intervals between sessions. Both rESWT protocols were combined with a physical therapy program consisting of ten daily sessions of analgesic physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy. Before and after the rehabilitation program, patients were assessed for pain intensity using the visual analog scale (VAS) and shoulder function using range of motion (ROM) measurements (via goniometry) and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Significantly better outcomes were observed in Group One (p < 0.001), particularly in terms of pain reduction and improvements in shoulder functionality, especially external rotation. These results support the effectiveness of the rESWT protocol used in Group One, which combined lower energy and frequency levels with a higher number of impulses over fewer sessions.

Background: Radial shock wave therapy (RSWT) has increasingly been integrated into treatment protocols for adhesive capsulitis. While associations with diabetes and other systemic disorders are well documented, the role of obesity remains underexplored, particularly in relation to RSWT outcomes. Methods: Forty patients with adhesive capsulitis completed a 10-day treatment protocol combining RSWT with conventional physiotherapy. Pain (VAS), disability (SPADI), and range of motion (ROM) were assessed at baseline and immediately after treatment. At one-month follow-up, VAS and SPADI were reassessed alongside the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Correlations between body mass index (BMI) and clinical outcomes were analyzed, and potential confounding effects of comorbidities and affected-side dominance were examined. Clinical relevance was assessed using minimal clinically important differences (MCID) and effect sizes (Cohen’s d). Results: All clinical outcomes improved significantly post-treatment and at follow-up, with most changes exceeding MCID thresholds and showing large effect sizes. Higher BMI was significantly correlated with greater improvements in SPADI, VAS, shoulder extension, and internal rotation. Most comorbidities were negatively associated with outcomes, except neurologic conditions, which supported mobility improvement. Conclusions: RSWT appears effective in alleviating symptoms of adhesive capsulitis. The observed association between higher BMI and greater mobility improvement suggests potential benefits in overweight and obese patients. These findings warrant further investigation.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a neuromuscular degenerative disorder characterized by progressive apoptosis of motor neurons, with severe weakness and bulbar dysfunction. The aim of the study was to analyze the correlations between the moment of initiation of treatment (nusinersen) and clinical evolution, and also the change of electrophysiological parameters and motor scales, fol-lowed up for 2 years. This study was carried out between 2018 and 2022 on 60 SMA children (29 girls, 31 boys), (29 type 1 and 31 type 2; 29 with 2 copies of SMN2, 29 with 3 copies, and 2 with 4 copies), aged between 3 weeks and 196 months, divided into 2 groups according type of SMA. For both types of SMA, statistically significant negative correlations were found between the elapsed interval from the onset of the disease to the initiation of treatment and upper motor acquisitions (type 1: p < 0.0001, r = -0.713, type 2: p<0.001, r = -0.560) and between age at the beginning of treatment and improvement in motor function (type 1: p <0.0001, r =-0.726, type 2: p<0.001, r=-0.553). For patients with type 2 SMA, a negative correlation was also identified between age at the time of onset and motor evolution (p<0.05, r = -0.378). Electrophysiological parameters were strongly positive correlated with motor improvement (p<0.0001, r=0.600). Our study established the necessity of early SMA diagnosis and therapy beginning, and demonstrated that Compound Motor Action Potential can be a predictive factor in the disease's progression. Keywords: Compound Motor Action Potential; motor scales; Spinal Muscular Atrophy