Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability and exerts a high burden of direct and indirect costs. Stroke may cause spasticity, which limits patients’ abilities and affects their activities of daily living, decreasing their quality of life. Conventional treatments are based on physical therapy, anti-spasticity medication, and botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). However, recently, non-pharmacological approaches have been used, such as dry needling (DN) of myofascial trigger points. BTX-A and DN are two treatments that aim to decrease spasticity in patients with stroke, but their mode of action, application, and costs differ. Thus, there is a need to determine the comparative economics of post-stroke spasticity treatments. For this purpose, a search for all types of cost-effectiveness studies (randomized controlled trials, matched controls, and cohorts) and models of epidemiological data was performed. Studies were selected if they included economic outcomes in stroke patients treated with BTX-A or DN. As a result, 7 studies of BTX-A and 2 of DN were selected. Similarities were found in the outcomes used to assess the effectiveness of both treatments in most studies, with modifications of the Ashworth Scale [Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)/Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS)] and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) being the main indicators of effectiveness. However, both the duration of the studies and the evaluation of costs were highly heterogeneous, making comparison difficult. In conclusion, both BTX-A and DN are cost-effective to treat spasticity in patients with stroke, but there is a need for comparative studies to make direct comparisons of cost-effectiveness with the most frequently used outcomes such as the MMAS and QALYs.

Background: Flexible pediatric flatfoot is an anatomical presentation of the foot that is common in children, and its functional impact raises long-term uncertainty. Functional re-education includes strengthening and stretching exercises for the intrinsic and extrinsic musculature of the foot, proposed as an effective conservative treatment. However, to date, there is no systematic review examining its effectiveness in the pediatric population. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of functional re-education as a conservative treatment for flexible pediatric flatfoot, determining which exercises are most effective. Methods: A search (PROSPERO: CRD42023391030) was conducted across six databases, resulting in an initial total of 327 studies. Of these, 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria, resulting in a sample of 419 children aged 6 to 14 years with a diagnosis of flexible flatfoot. The evaluated studies present variations in diagnostic criteria, types of exercises, and treatment duration. Results: The results indicate that functional re-education is effective in improving the symptomatology and functionality of the foot in children. In particular, exercises targeting the intrinsic musculature proved to be among the most effective treatments, improving the structural development of the medial longitudinal arch. The reviewed literature recommends a minimum treatment duration of eight weeks. Conclusions: Functional re-education represents an effective conservative treatment option for flexible flatfoot in children, positioning it as the treatment of choice for this condition.

Background: Foot morphology in children is a crucial factor influencing multiple aspects of their physical development. Between the ages of 5 and 10 years, the critical period of child development is when the movement and stability patterns are consolidated that can affect their long-term physical performance and quality of life. The aim of this study is to analyze how the type of foot influences different physical characteristics, laxity, strength, motor tests, and baropodometric variables in children aged 5 to 10 years. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 196 children was conducted. Different physical characteristics, laxity, strength, motor tests, and baropodometric variables of the sample were analyzed for age and Foot Posture Index (FPI). Results: Differences in all variables were examined by age and FPI. Statistical analysis showed a moderate to high correlation (r > 0.6, p < 0.01) between FPI and the relaxed calcaneal stance position (RCSP) test. Some significant differences were also found in variables related to foot pronation and supination. These results provide valuable information for understanding differences in motor and functional development during childhood and pre-adolescence. Conclusions: The findings highlight the variability in physical and functional development between age and foot type groups, highlighting the importance of considering these differences in the assessment and management of foot-related conditions and biomechanics in childhood. Foot type significantly influences children’s growth and development.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between emotional functioning and health status in long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCSs). Additionally, it sought to identify factors that could influence emotional functioning in this population at least five years after cancer diagnosis. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 80 LTBCSs, classified into the following two groups, according to their emotional functioning: those experiencing psychological distress (≤90) and those with satisfactory psychological well-being (≥91). The study examined various factors at least five years post-diagnosis, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mood state, self-perceived physical fitness, physical activity (PA) level, pain, and cancer-related fatigue (CRF). ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U, and Chi-square tests were conducted, along with correlation and multiple regression analysis. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d. Results: Among the 80 LTBCSs, 47.50% reported psychological distress, while 52.50% maintained satisfactory psychological well-being. Participants in the psychological distress group exhibited significantly poorer HRQoL, lower mood, and reduced self-perceived physical fitness, as well as higher levels of physical inactivity, pain, and CRF (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that “role functioning” (β = 0.59; p < 0.01), “cognitive functioning” (β = 0.26; p < 0.01), “self-perceived physical fitness” (β = 0.20; p = 0.02), and “sadness–depression” (β = 0.18; p = 0.04) were significant predictors of emotional functioning (r² adjusted = 0.642). Conclusions: These results emphasize the association between emotional functioning and health status in LTBCSs. Role functioning, cognitive functioning, self-perceived physical fitness, and mood state were identified as relevant factors influencing emotional well-being in this population. Considering these relationships, integrating psychological and physical assessments into survivorship care could support the early detection of at-risk individuals. This approach could also guide interventions to improve their long-term well-being and HRQoL.