The present study aimed to investigate the perceived changes in lifestyle behaviors among Spanish university students during COVID-19-related confinement. An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional survey study was conducted during April 2020. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were then obtained. The FANTASTIC questionnaire was used to assess the lifestyles of the 488 participants who took part in the study. Of the participants, 76.3% were female. Overall, the lifestyles of university students significantly deteriorated during the period of confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. University female students were especially affected compared to their male fellows (p = 0.010). For women, social and family relationships (p < 0.001), personality (p < 0.001), interior (p < 0.001), and career (p < 0.001) were the aspects that worsened during confinement. For men, lack of physical exercise (p < 0.001), social and family relationships (p < 0.001), and career (p = 0.002) were affected to a greater extent. In both cases, confinement was a protective factor against the consumption of tobacco, toxins (p < 0.001), and alcohol (p < 0.001). Gender (p = 0.008) and obesity (p = 0.044) were the two factors that most affected the change in the score of the FANTASTIC questionnaire. Spanish university students’ lifestyles worsened during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those of women, who were the most affected. Some aspects, such as those related to social and emotional behaviors, were deeply affected, while confinement could be a protective factor against previous toxic habits.

The highest prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors has been associated with obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and elevated blood pressure due to high workload and work stress. This study aimed to analyze the cardiometabolic risk and lifestyles among the health sciences university academics and campus administrators at a private university in Spain. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2018–2019 academic year by the Nursing Department, using a self-administered questionnaire and face-to-face assessments of anthropometric variables related to cardiovascular risk in university personnel. The variables measured included sociodemographics, cardiovascular risk history, comorbidities, toxic habits, Mediterranean diet adherence, physical exercise, psychosocial stress, and physical, anthropometric, and analytical data. Cardiovascular risk was categorized into relative (40 years). Among the 101 participants, 61.4% were women, with a mean age of 41.3 years ± 9 years. The smoking prevalence was 21.8% (68.2% women), 27.7% were sedentary, and 51.0% adhered to the Mediterranean diet, with higher adherence among the academics. Emotional risk was present in 32.7% of the participants. A prior diagnosis of hypertension was significantly more frequent in the men (15.4%) compared to the women (3.2%). The blood pressure measurements were mostly optimal across both genders and professional groups, but the proportion of hypertension grade 1 was significantly higher among the academics (10%) compared to the administrators (4.5%) and among the men (11.1%) compared to the women (5.9%). The absolute cardiovascular risk among the university employees was generally low, but the men exhibited a more moderate risk compared to the women. It is necessary for the university to promote health within its community, with the Nursing Department playing a key role in health promotion and research.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) causes widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive abnormalities. Cervical pain is a common and debilitating symptom. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a treatment for chronic cervical pain experienced by patients with FM. Methods: A single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted. A total of 56 women were randomly assigned to 3 groups: G1 (VR+cervical mobility exercises), G2 (cervical mobility exercises), and the control group. Therapy was administered twice a week for 4 weeks. Variables such as disease impact, quality of life, kinesiophobia, pain, range of motion, fatigue, and treatment adherence were measured. Results: The mean age of the participants was 54.26 (SD 7.7) years. Participants were overweight, with a mean BMI of 28.7 (SD 7.8). The mean visual analog scale value was 6.72 (SD 1.8). The baseline values for age, BMI, visual analog scale, algometric measures, and functional capacity (measured using the Timed Up and Go test, cervical rotation, and lateral displacement) were similar across the 3 groups. Following the intervention therapy, the control group did not exhibit notable improvement (mean 3.5, SD 1.4; differences of mean values –0.46, 95% CI –1.1 to 0.2; P =.15), particularly in pain perception, while both therapy groups did show improvements (G1: mean 3.8, SD 1.1; differences of mean values 1.2, 95% CI 0.78-1.54; P <.001; G2: mean 2.8, SD 1.8; differences of mean values 1.2, 95% CI 0.66-1.7; P <.001). Both intervention groups improved significantly compared to control postintervention in FM impact (CG vs G1: differences of mean values 9.31, 95% CI 14.7-3.8; P <.001; CG vs G2: differences of mean values 8.4, 95% CI 13.84-3.06; P <.001), central sensitization (CG vs G2: differences of mean values 7.53, 95% CI 12.12-2.95; P <.001), and cervical disability (CG vs G2: differences of mean values 6.44, 95% CI 9.93-2.94; P <.001). However, at 1 month, only G1 maintained superior improvements across all measures, including a reduction in kinesiophobia (G2: differences of mean values 6.2, 95% CI 4.7-9.8; P <.001), indicating a more sustained effect of the combined approach. Conclusions: The combination of VR with cervical mobility and strengthening exercises produced superior and sustained improvements in women with FM compared to exercise alone or control. Significant benefits were observed in disease impact, central sensitization, cervical disability, and kinesiophobia, with effects maintained at 1 month only in the VR group. These findings support VR as an effective adjunct to enhance symptom management and treatment adherence in FM.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the leading causes of disability worldwide and substantially affect the nursing workforce due to high physical demands, biomechanical strain, and irregular work schedules. Growing evidence suggests that shift work, particularly rotating and night schedules, may contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs); however, findings remain inconsistent across studies. This study aimed to examine, through a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, the association between distinct nursing shift patterns (day, rotating, and fixed night shifts) and generalized or region-specific musculoskeletal outcomes among nurses. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL between December 2024 and August 2025. The review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250656652). Studies were eligible if they included samples comprising at least 50% practicing nurses, compared at least two shift types (day, rotating, or fixed night shifts), and reported musculoskeletal outcomes. Observational study designs were included without publication date restrictions. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies and the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for cross-sectional studies. Risk of bias was evaluated using the ROBINS-E tool. Although the systematic review included a broad range of musculoskeletal outcomes, only musculoskeletal pain outcomes were sufficiently homogeneous to be included in the quantitative synthesis. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted comparing day versus rotating shifts and day versus fixed night shifts. Twenty-four studies including 102,159 nurses were included in the systematic review, and thirteen studies were incorporated into the meta-analyses. No statistically significant associations were identified between rotating shifts and musculoskeletal pain compared with day shifts (pooled estimate = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.98-1.35; I² = 7.2%). Likewise, fixed night shifts were not significantly associated with musculoskeletal pain compared with day shifts (pooled estimate = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.94-1.27; I² = 81.1%). Stratified analyses across anatomical regions, including neck, back/lumbar, shoulder, and lower limb pain, also showed no statistically significant associations, although several pooled estimates tended to be higher among rotating shift workers. The available evidence suggests that the relationship between shift work and musculoskeletal pain among nurses is complex and likely influenced by multiple occupational, ergonomic, psychosocial, and organizational factors. Although no statistically significant associations were identified in the meta-analysis, rotating and fixed night shifts showed trends toward higher musculoskeletal pain estimates in several anatomical regions. Further longitudinal studies using more standardized definitions of shift work exposure and musculoskeletal outcomes are needed.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition characterised by chronic pain, which may or may not be associated with muscular stiffness. Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. The loss of muscle mass is a key factor in the progression of both fibromyalgia and sarcopenia and therefore warrants thorough evaluation. It has been demonstrated that obesity directly influences factors that increase pain perception and disease severity and reduce quality of life. The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between fibromyalgia and the increased risk of developing sarcopenia. Methods: The sample consisted of 84 patients diagnosed with FM. We assessed sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric variables (circumferential and ultrasound) pain with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and algometry, risk of developing sarcopenia with SARC-F, quality of sleep, anxiety, and depression using validated questionnaires. Results: A total of 96.3% of the participants were women. Overall, 56.3% of the sample presented a high risk of sarcopenia according to SARC-F, VAS scores showed significant negative correlations with anxiety (p < 0.01) and with almost all algometric measures (p < 0.05). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) demonstrated a positive and significant correlation with sleep quality (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.01). Furthermore, presence of a high risk of sarcopenia according to SARC-F was significantly associated with FIQ scores (p = 0.002) and depression (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a significant association between the impact of FM and a high risk of developing sarcopenia according to SARC-F. This population exhibits a high degree of pain, which are significantly associated with elevated levels of anxiety and depression.

Background: Substance use disorders are chronic conditions with significant personal and social consequences. Nursing care plays a key role in outpatient and community-based rehabilitation programs, yet patients’ perspectives on this role remain underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to explore how patients with substance use disorders perceive and interpret nursing care in community addiction treatment centers operated by the Spanish Red Cross in Madrid, Spain. Specifically, it sought to describe the organizational and care-related roles attributed to community addiction treatment centers and analyze patients’ perceptions of nurses’ technical and relational functions. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative design was used. Fourteen in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with patients undergoing treatment at Red Cross centers. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diversity in age, gender, substance use, and treatment experiences. The data were analyzed using systematic text condensation and supported by the ATLAS.ti software. Results: The center is perceived as a significant space not only for offering healthy leisure activities outside the context of substance use but also as a supportive environment that fosters a sense of belonging to a community. Patients valued the emotional support, empathy, and relational care provided by nurses, often highlighting their role in building trust and offering personalized attention. However, there was limited awareness of nurses’ technical competencies. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of holistic, patient-centered care and the need to enhance the visibility and recognition of nursing roles in addiction treatment settings.