Focused-extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) has recently been applied in the management of chronic pain. However, its effectiveness in reducing muscular stiffness and pain among office workers has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of fESWT and sham-fESWT in alleviating muscular stiffness, pain, and functional disability. Sixty-four office workers (mean age 31.4 ± 9.5 years) with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius were randomly and equally assigned to receive either the fESWT or sham-fESWT. The interventions were administered once a week for 4 weeks, with 4 Hz frequency and a total energy of 0.10.232 mJ/mm². Measurements were recorded at baseline, immediately after treatment, at two weeks, and at four weeks, assessing shear modulus (tissue stiffness), visual analogue scale (VAS), and the neck disability index (NDI). The result demonstrated a significant acute decrease in shear modulus at the trigger point (6.1 kPa, p = 0.009) and a delayed reduction in muscle stiffness of the lower aponeurosis (5.3 kPa, p = 0.004) following 4 weeks. Additionally, VAS scores decreased at all time points following fESWT (p < 0.05), while the sham-fESWT group also demonstrated reductions during the final two weeks. NDI showed a decrease in both groups after four sessions (p < 0.05), with no group effect. fESWT was effective in reducing muscular pain, stiffness, and functional disability in patients. However, the potential psychological effects of sham-fESWT on VAS and function should be considered. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal treatment sessions and intensity of fESWT to better establish its efficacy.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent among older adults and has been associated with impaired physical function and reduced exercise capacity. However, the relationships of binary MetS status and cumulative MetS component burden with different dimensions of functional capacity remain unclear. This cross-sectional study examined these associations and evaluated whether they were attenuated after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) among community-dwelling Thai older adults. A total of 182 participants aged ≥ 60 years were included. The outcomes represented complementary dimensions of functional capacity: lower-extremity functional performance assessed using the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5TSTS), stepping endurance assessed using the 2-Minute Step Test (2MST), cadence-derived estimated oxygen uptake, and externally paced walking capacity assessed using the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT). Overall, 55 participants (30.2%) had MetS. Functional outcomes did not differ significantly between participants with and without MetS. After false-discovery-rate (FDR) correction, BMI was inversely correlated with ISWT distance, waist circumference was correlated with slower 5TSTS performance and shorter ISWT distance, and cumulative MetS component burden was inversely correlated with ISWT distance. Binary MetS status was not independently associated with any outcome after FDR correction. In Model 1, each additional MetS component was associated with a 0.27-s longer 5TSTS completion time (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.46; p = 0.008; q = 0.030) and a 27.80-m shorter ISWT distance (95% CI: −45.01 to −10.59; p = 0.002; q = 0.014). Both associations were attenuated and no longer statistically significant after additional adjustment for BMI. These findings suggest that cumulative MetS burden was associated with sit-to-stand and walking performance before BMI adjustment. Both associations were attenuated and no longer statistically significant after additional adjustment for BMI.

Peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS) is commonly used for neurological conditions, but its effectiveness in enhancing functional mobility and morphology in children with spastic diplegia remains underexplored. This study assessed the impact of PMS with physical therapy (PT) versus PT alone on mobility and morphology in spastic diplegia. Forty-five children with spastic diplegia (mean age 12.7 ± 3.8 years) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: PMS + PT, PT, or control, with fifteen children in each group. The training was conducted thrice weekly for eight weeks, included muscle morphology assessments, the 30 s sit-to-stand test (30sSTS), functional reach test (FRT), 10 m walk test (10MWT), and 6 min walk test (6MWT). The study revealed increased left quadricep and calf muscle thickness following PMS + PT (d = 0.19, 0.39, respectively; all p < 0.05). Improvement in 30sSTS was observed after both PMS + PT (d = 0.56) and PT (d = 1.43). FRT demonstrated increases following both PMS + PT and PT interventions (d = 1.52, 0.93, respectively). Furthermore, improvements were observed in 10MWT following PMS + PT and PT interventions (d = 1.20, 0.78), while PT increased the 6MWT (d = 0.82). The control group showed declines in 10MWT and 6MWT. The treatment significantly impacted FRT, 10MWT, and 6MWT in spastic diplegia. While PMS may not enhance physical capacities beyond PT alone, it may improve FRT and 10MWT outcomes.