Background: Fascia manipulation is gaining attention due to their potential benefits in pain management, neuromuscular function, and tissue healing. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear, limiting treatment optimization. Objectives: This scoping review (ScR) aimed to summarize current evidence on the physiological, structural, and neuromuscular mechanisms underlying fascia manipulation as a therapeutic intervention. Methods: This ScR followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, Scopus, PEDro, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ICTRP was conducted in January 2025. Two independent reviewers selected studies and extracted data. Two independent reviewers selected studies and extracted data. Results: Eleven studies were included: eight on humans and three on animals. In humans, manual therapy triggered a transient local inflammatory response, raising temperature without activating coagulation or thrombosis risk. It also reduced unbound water in deep fascia, aiding pain relief and mobility. Animal studies showed anti-inflammatory effects via cytokine regulation and adenosine receptor involvement, with caffeine blocking pain relief. Massage-like stroking produced opioid-independent analgesia. Fascia manipulation relieved pain from densification and improved proprioception. Neuromusculary, it enhanced reaction time, movement efficiency, and motor performance, lasting up to a week. Conclusions: This ScR suggests that fascia manipulation exerts its therapeutic effects through a combination of anti-inflammatory cytokine modulation, mechanoreceptor stimulation, and improvement in fascial gliding and proprioceptive feedback. These mechanisms collectively support its role in pain relief and neuromuscular function. Further research using standardized protocols and objective outcome measures is needed to validate and expand upon these findings.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a rollator on the prevention of falls in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) during outdoor walks. This study examined 30 community-dwelling patients with PD. Factors associated with falls were classified into clinical patient background, physical function, and psychophysiological function factors. The number of falls and subsequent injuries was observed over a period of greater than 6 months, if patients were using rollators while falls happened. Participants who used a rollator had a significantly lower fall rate, number of falls, and injury rate than those who did not use a rollator (p < 0.05). A rollator could protect patients with PD from falls. Additionally, when considering the use of a rollator for patients with PD, it is important to assess the patient's physical and psychophysiological functions.

Background: Self-controlled motor imagery combined with assistive devices is promising for enhancing neurorehabilitation. This study developed a soft, Flexible Exoskeleton (flexEXO) for finger movements and investigated whether self-controlled motor tasks facilitate stronger cortical activation than externally controlled conditions. Methods: Twenty-one healthy participants performed grasping tasks under four conditions: Self-Controlled Motion (SCC), Other-Controlled Motion (OCC), Self-Controlled Imagery Only (SCIOC), and Other-Controlled Imagery Only (OCIOC). EEG data were recorded, focusing on event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the μ and β bands during imagery and motion and event-related synchronization (ERS) in the β band during feedback. Source localization was performed using eLORETA. Results: Higher μERD and βERD were observed during self-controlled tasks, particularly in the primary motor cortex and supplementary motor area. Externally controlled tasks showed enhanced activation in the inferior parietal lobule and secondary somatosensory cortex. βERS did not differ significantly across conditions. Source localization revealed that self-controlled tasks engaged motor planning and error-monitoring regions more robustly. Conclusions: The flexEXO device and the comparison of brain activity under different conditions provide insights into the neural mechanisms of motor control and have implications for neurorehabilitation.

Introduction: Conventional non-pharmacological interventions for dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often face challenges related to motivation and adherence. Esports may offer a more intrinsically motivating alternative, but the evidence base remains limited. We aimed to map the existing evidence on esports interventions in individuals with clinically diagnosed dementia or MCI. Methods: This rapid scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR, Joanna Briggs Institute, and Cochrane rapid review methods guidance. Searches were conducted in six bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL). We also searched one gray‐literature database (BASE) and two trial registries (WHO ICTRP, ClinicalTrials.gov) for records up to 8 April 2025. Eligible studies included primary research evaluating esports interventions. Results: Six studies, including three randomized controlled trials (intervention group: n = 84), were included. All interventions utilized exergames delivered via commercial gaming consoles (Nintendo Wii or Switch, Microsoft Xbox Kinect). Samples were small (n = 3–23). Participants frequently reported favorable psychosocial effects – such as enjoyment and program satisfaction; however, objective end points were seldom assessed. Across the limited quantitative data, no trial demonstrated significant gains in global cognition, and findings for physical performance were inconsistent. No serious adverse events were reported; however, safety monitoring was inconsistently described. Conclusion: Current evidence is insufficient to support esports as a therapeutic approach for dementia or MCI. Although participants consistently enjoyed the sessions, these subjective benefits alone do not establish clinical efficacy. Larger, well-controlled trials with validated cognitive and physical outcomes are needed before esports can be considered for routine care.

Background/Objectives: Motivation is a key factor for improving motor function and cognitive control in patients. Motivation for rehabilitation is influenced by the relationship between the therapist and patient, wherein appropriate voice encouragement is necessary to increase motivation. Therefore, we examined the differences between mothers and other individuals, such as physical therapists (PTs), in their verbal interactions with children with cerebral palsy who have poor communication abilities, as well as the neurological and physiological effects of variations in the tone of their speech. Methods: The three participants were children with cerebral palsy (Participant A: boy, 3 years; Participant B: girl, 7 years; Participant C: girl, 9 years). Participants’ mothers and the assigned PTs were asked to speak under three conditions. During this, the brain activity of the participants was measured using a 19-channel electroencephalogram. The results were further analyzed using Independent Component Analysis frequency analysis with exact Low-Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography, allowing for the identification and visualization of neural activity in three-dimensional brain functional networks. Results: The results of the ICA frequency analysis for each participant revealed distinct patterns of brain activity in response to verbal encouragement from the mother and PT, with differences observed across the theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the children were attentive to their mothers’ inquiries and focused on their internal experiences. Furthermore, it was indicated that when addressed by the PT, the participants found it easier to grasp the meanings and intentions of the words.

Background/Objectives: Precise stepping control is fundamental to human mobility, and impairments increase fall risk in older adults and individuals with neurological conditions. This study investigated the cortical networks underlying stepping accuracy using mobile brain/body imaging with electroencephalography (EEG)-based exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography-independent component analysis (eLORETA-ICA) and microstate segmentation analysis (MSA). Methods: Sixteen healthy male participants performed a precision stepping task while wearing a mobile EEG system. Step performance was quantified using error distance, measuring deviation between target and heel contact points. Preprocessed EEG data were analyzed using eLORETA-ICA and MSA, with participants categorized into high- and low-performing groups. Results: Seven microstate clusters were identified, with the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) showing the highest microstate probability (21.15%). The high-performing group exhibited amplified theta-band activity in the ACC, enhanced activity in the precuneus and postcentral gyrus, and suppressed mu- and beta-band activity in the paracentral lobules. Conclusions: Stepping accuracy relies on a distributed neural network, with the ACC playing a central role in performance monitoring. We propose an integrated framework comprising the following systems: error monitoring (ACC), sensorimotor integration (paracentral lobules), and visuospatial processing (precuneus and occipital regions). These findings highlight the importance of neural oscillatory mechanisms in precise motor control and offer insights for rehabilitation strategies and fall prevention programs.