The number of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome continues to increase considerably, having serious healthcare, social and economic repercussions. The objective of this study is to describe the effectiveness of telerehabilitation to alleviate the symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome. A systematic review was conducted using the information available on four databases (PubMed, Medline, Scielo and PEDRo) on these patients until November 2022. The MeSH search terms were: Post-COVID syndrome, Post-COVID-19, Long COVID, Telerehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Virtual, Home care. Six articles were included which provided information on 140 patients, detailing their symptomatology, assessment, treatment and monitoring. The variables measured were dyspnea, fatigue, physical performance and quality of life. All studies included aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Most notable among the techniques used were rib cage expansion exercises, respiratory control and thoracic cage stretching, patient education, Mindfulness and virtual reality games to address physical, mental and relaxation aspects. The use of telerehabilitation could be an effective tool for the treatment of persistent symptoms after suffering from COVID-19. It has been shown in these studies that patients improve both their physical performance and their quality of life.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disease that, due to dyspnea, decreases patients’ physical function and quality of life. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of water-based exercise (WE) in improving functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength in patients with COPD. It consisted of a systematic review and meta-analysis of eight randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from the last 10 years, found in PubMed, PEDro, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Methodological quality was analyzed using the PEDro scale and the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Regarding the evaluation of functional capacity, mainly assessed were lung function, respiratory muscle strength, and maximal or aerobic exercise. The results showed that WE improves functional capacity compared to a non-exercising control group (SMD: 73.42; IC 95%: 40.40 to 106.45; I²: 0%). There are no statistically significant differences between a WE treatment and a land exercise (LE) treatment (p = 0.24) in functional capacity, nor with respect to respiratory muscle strength (p = 0.97). These data should be interpreted with caution, as more RCTs with aquatic intervention in COPD patients are needed to elucidate whether there are differences between WE or LE according to patient characteristics and comorbidities.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of function, and ultimately death due to respiratory failure. Due to the lethal prognosis of ALS, respiratory muscle training has been proposed as a potentially beneficial intervention. Objectives: To systematically review the efficacy of respiratory muscle training on lung function and respiratory muscle strength in ALS patients. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Data sources and methods: Articles published in PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to July 2024. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 statement guideline was followed. Included studies had (1) ALS patients, (2) respiratory muscle training, (3) physical exercise, usual care or no intervention were provided as a comparison group, (4) assessments of lung function, respiratory muscle strength, quality of life, survival, fatigue, and functional capacity outcome measures, and (5) a randomized controlled trial design. Methodological quality was analyzed using the PEDro scale, and risk of bias with the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analyses were performed with Review Manager software. Results: Five randomized controlled trials with 170 participants were included. The results showed that respiratory muscle training improved muscle strength, particularly maximum expiratory and inspiratory pressures. One study suggested inspiratory muscle training as a survival predictor in ALS patients. No significant effects were observed in forced vital capacity or quality of life. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: Respiratory muscle training improves ventilatory function, particularly respiratory muscle strength, in people with ALS. While evidence is limited, it shows promise as an adjuvant therapy to enhance quality of life and survival. It has been registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42024568235).

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which fatigue is one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms, and it is believed to be associated with respiratory involvement. Individuals who are physically inactive for long lengths of time display greater symptomatic fatigue. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the effectiveness of breathing exercises within rehabilitation programs in improving fatigue in patients with MS. A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro, was conducted up until November 2022. Nine articles, with a total of 290 participants, were selected. The studies combined breathing exercises with other treatment techniques, such as Ai-Chi, Pilates, and upper and lower limb exercises. Four studies used the Modified Fatigue Severity scale, observing a reduction in the perception of fatigue, in favor of the experimental group. Incorporating respiratory exercises into physical exercise programs, such as Ai-Chi and Pilates, may help to reduce the perception of fatigue. However, the heterogeneity in the protocols and outcome measures makes the generalization of the results difficult. Nonetheless, further studies that include specific respiratory variables are needed to analyze whether this perceived improvement is associated with enhanced pulmonary capacity.

Purpose: Sexuality is recognized as a fundamental dimension of human well‐being; however, gaps remain in understanding how changes associated with aging, such as chronic pain, affect sexual desire and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the relationships among quality of life, pain, and sexual desire among people over 65 years of age. Method: A cross‐sectional design was employed with 400 institutionalized and non‐institutionalized elderly people. Participants completed the Sexual Desire Inventory, Spanish Pain Questionnaire, and WHOQOL‐BREF quality of life scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and a structural equation model. Finding: The results revealed a model indicating significant positive correlations between sexual desire and quality of life, suggesting that higher quality of life is associated with greater sexual desire, and vice versa. Additionally, sexual desire correlated negatively with pain, suggesting that greater sexual desire is associated with lower pain levels. Negative correlations were also observed between quality of life—particularly in the physical health domain—and pain. The model fit indices were adequate: χ ² (1259, N = 400) = 3117.61, χ ² /df = 2.48, p < 0.001, Incremental Fit Index (IFI) = 0.96, Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.96, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.96, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.058 (90% confidence interval [CI] = 0.045–0.071), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.045. Conclusion: By exploring these variables, this study seeks to contribute to the design of more inclusive and sensitive strategies that address the comprehensive and respectful needs of the elderly, thereby improving their quality of life.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of resistance training (RT) in people with Down syndrome (DS) as a way of improving strength, physical and metabolic function, and possible adverse effects. Methods: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of RCTs in PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, and WoS databases in September‐2023, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022312810). Methodological quality and risk of bias were analysed using the PEDro scale, the Downs & Black Checklist, and the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Results: Sixteen articles were included. RT increased the strength (SMD = 1.88; 95% CI = (1.26; 2.51); I ² = 72%) and improved physical function (SMD = −0.58; 95% CI = (−1.06; −0.11); I ² = 13%), but there were no clear results on whether it improved anthropometric and cardiorespiratory measures. There were no serious adverse effects. Conclusion: An increase in overall and maximal muscle strength and improved physical function was produced by RT in DS people. RT is a safe technique as serious adverse effects were not produced.