Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), resulting from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causes not only flu-like symptoms, such as fever, aches, or a dry cough, but also affects the sensory system, leading to a loss of smell and taste or to neurological deficits in the shape of balance disorders and dizziness. Purpose of the study: Our research aimed to assess the prevalence of balance disorders in patients who had suffered COVID-19. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 73 subjects with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The control group consisted of 50 healthy people with similar demographics. A balance analysis was performed on a tensometric platform, using the Romberg test. Results: Statistically significant differences between the results of the study group and the control group were obtained in the evaluation of the length of body sways and the area of gravity center, both with open and closed eyes, and in the case of maximum body sways with open eyes. Conclusions: Patients who have suffered COVID-19 may suffer from balance disorders detectable by posturographic tests.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant attention to the respiratory system, with much focus on lung-related disorders. However, the diaphragm, a crucial component of respiratory physiology, has not been adequately studied, especially in the context of long COVID. This review explores the multipotential role of the diaphragm in both respiratory health and disease, emphasizing its involvement in long-term complications following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The diaphragm’s fundamental role in respiratory physiology and its impact on balance and posture control, breathing patterns, and autonomic nervous system regulation are discussed. This review examines complications arising from COVID-19, highlighting the diaphragm’s involvement in neurological, musculoskeletal, and inflammatory responses. Particular attention is given to the neuroinvasive impact of SARS-CoV-2, the inflammatory response, and the direct viral effects on the diaphragm. The diaphragm’s role in long COVID is explored, with a focus on specific symptoms such as voice disorders, pelvic floor dysfunction, and sleep disturbances. Diagnostic challenges, current methods for assessing diaphragmatic dysfunction, and the complexities of differentiating it from other conditions are also explored. This article is the first to comprehensively address diaphragmatic dysfunction resulting from COVID-19 and long COVID across various physiological and pathological aspects, offering a new perspective on its diagnosis and treatment within a multisystem context.

Degenerative joint disease is a dynamic pathological process characterised by a destabilisation of the degradation and synthesis processes of articular cartilage and subchondral bone layer. Studies suggest that individuals with gonarthrosis experience deficits in proprioception, in addition to changes within their joints, which directly affects their ability to maintain posture and increases their risk of falling. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the functional status of patients with gonarthrosis through a posturographic examination conducted on a stabilometric platform (force plate) and a functional clinical examination. Methods: Participants were divided into two groups—a control group (n = 125) and a study group (n = 125). During the qualification process, subjective and objective examinations were conducted, including a functional assessment by means of such tests as the “Up and Go” Test, Functional Reach Test, Five Time Sit to Stand Test, and the Step Test. Subsequently, an assessment was conducted on the force plate by means of a posturographic test—the Romberg test performed with open and closed eyes in a standing position—and balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale. The obtained data were analysed with the use of the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 27.0, by means of the Mann–Whitney test, and correlations were determined by means of Spearman’s test. A significance level of p = 0.05 was adopted. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed among the assessed groups as a result of both functional and posturographic examinations, along with positive correlations for disease duration, age, and BMI index. Conclusions: Patients with gonarthrosis exhibited disturbances in balance, functionality, and posture compared to healthy individuals in the control group.

Background/Objectives : The most common post-acute consequences of SARS-CoV-2 include lung dysfunction, the impairment of cognitive functions and mental health, as well as the impairment of the musculoskeletal system in the form of fatigue and muscle weakness. Post-COVID-19 patients often experience impaired balance and reduced physical capacity. It is important to implement a rehabilitation program that eliminates the side effects of COVID-19 and allows for significant improvement in the patient’s functionality. The aim of our study was to assess patient functionality after a 6-week rehabilitation program on balance, foot pressure distribution, and physical capacity in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods : The clinical study group consisted of 53 people 3 months after COVID-19 infection, confirmed by a positive PCR test. Exclusion from the study included people with comorbidities that impaired balance and gait. The patients underwent a posturographic assessment—Romberg test, a baropodometric assessment—static and dynamic, and a performance assessment—a 6 min walk test determining shortness of breath on the mMRC scale, blood pressure, heart rate, and saturation. Patients participated in rehabilitation until the sixth week, after which they were assessed again. Comparisons were made using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 software using the Wilcoxon pairwise order test, at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results : The result of the postural control assessment showed an improvement in the ability to maintain the centre of gravity in terms of the foot support area—statistical decreases were observed in the ellipse area, from 745.28 mm² to 453.52 mm² (p = 0.009), as well as maximum (from 3133.5 gr/cm² to 2994.2 gr/cm²; p = 0.065) and average load on the left foot (from 1010.1 gr/cm² to 969.38 gr/cm²; p = 0.028). In the 6 min walk test before and after exercise, the heart rate decreased after the therapy (shortness of breath on the mMRC scale also decreased from 79.12 to 74.95). This means that patients achieved better physical fitness and efficiency. Conclusions : Rehabilitation significantly improved balance, as measured by a decrease in ellipse area during the Romberg test.

Background/Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. MS lesions can affect the motor, sensory, and visual nerves, leading to impaired balance, muscle tension, and pain. The occurrence of the above can significantly affect quality of life. There is therefore a need to use objective methods of functional assessment for balance and gait disorders in patients with MS. The aim of the study was to assess the functional status and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis with the simultaneous use of an accelerometer and baropodometric mat. Methodology: The research was conducted using functional tests: Tinetti test, Tandem Pivot Test, timed up and go test, and the Berg Balance Scale. In addition, the Sensor Medica baropodometric mat and the Baiobit balance and gait assessment system were used to objectively assess balance and gait. The assessment was performed once. The study involved 34 participants diagnosed with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis compared to a control group consisting of healthy individuals with similar demographic data to the study group. Results: Significant differences were found between the study and control groups in both functional and baropodometric assessments as well as when using an accelerometer in the pelvic area. Conclusions: Higher disturbances and differences are detected in the pelvic area; therefore, it is necessary to consider assessment using the simultaneous measurement of the displacement of the center of gravity located both on the pelvis and on the feet during the performance of different tasks—static and dynamic.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) results from cartilage degeneration and abnormal load distribution, leading to impaired biomechanics and postural control. Foot abnormalities such as hypermobility, flat feet, and pronation—common in KOA—may contribute to the degeneration process of the knee joint structures. Stabilization and proprioceptive exercises, as well as orthopedic inserts, can modify these factors by improving muscle function and redistributing load. However, studies directly comparing their effectiveness using objective assessment methods are lacking. Postural control plays a key role in KOA because it reflects the integration of balance systems. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of these interventions and their combination on postural balance in centre of pressure (COP) and clinical outcomes (KOOS – knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score) in patients with early KOA. Participants were randomly divided into four groups: “Exercises” (n = 43), “Orthopaedic insoles” (n = 43), “Mixed” (n = 39), “Control” (n = 41). During the qualification process, a posturographic examination was performed on a force platform with eyes open and closed in a standing position. Participants were also assessed using the KOOS questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed in Statistica 13 using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test. A significance level of p = 0.05 was used. Posturographic parameters such as sways length and mean speed with eyes open and closed improved, and the ellipse area of the center of gravity decreased in the mixed group (p = 0.001). The largest clinical effects were observed for sways length with eyes open (d = 2.512) between the control and exercise groups and for sways length with eyes closed (d = 2.172), ellipse area with eyes open (d = 1.361), and mean speed with eyes closed (d = 2.193) between the control and mixed groups. Quality of life (QoL) and functioning improved statistically, and significant between-group differences were found for pain, symptoms, physical activities of daily living (ADL), sports/recreation, and QoL (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between the exercise group and the orthopedic insole group in terms of symptoms, ADL, sports/recreation, and QoL. A significant clinical effect was observed on the KOOS pain score between the insoles and exercise groups (d = 1.122). The combined use of orthopedic insoles and exercises is the most effective method of rehabilitation. Trial registration: The study was registered in the international Research Registry database ( https://www.researchregistry.com/ ) under registration number researchregistry11661.