Background: Older adults with mild cognitive impairment are at increased risk for physical decline and falls due to decreased strength, flexibility, balance, and gait. Dance-based aerobic training has emerged as a promising and enjoyable intervention to promote physical function and cognitive stimulation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a 12-week structured dance-based aerobic program, based on line dancing and Latin rhythms (e.g., salsa, merengue, and bachata), in improving functional capacity and reducing the risk of falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 92 participants aged ≥65 years diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. The participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (dance-based training, twice weekly for 12 weeks) or a control group (usual activity). Outcomes included muscle strength (grip dynamometry), flexibility (back scratch and chair sit-and-reach tests), gait speed (Timed Up and Go test), balance (Tinetti scale), and total falls risk score (Tinetti). Mixed ANOVA and Cohen’s d were used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the experimental group on all variables compared to the control group. Muscle strength (p < 0.001, d = 0.86), gait speed (p = 0.026, d = 0.48), and upper and lower extremity flexibility (d = 0.43–0.79) improved significantly. The balance and gait components of the Tinetti scale also increased (p = 0.007 and p = 0.048, respectively), as did the total Tinetti score (p = 0.002, d = 0.67), indicating a reduction in the risk of falls. Conclusions: These findings suggest that, under structured conditions, dance-based aerobic training may serve as a promising non-pharmacological strategy to support healthy aging in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, although further validation in larger cohorts is needed.

Background/Objectives: Aging leads to cognitive decline that may progress to dementia. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a strategy to improve cognitive functions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study reviews the effectiveness of tDCS in these populations. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Randomized controlled trials obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Cinahl, and Web of Science were included. Studies with tDCS intervention in older adults with MCI were selected, excluding those without a control group or that did not measure relevant cognitive variables. Methodological quality was analyzed with the PEDro scale and a meta-analysis was applied with random-effects models. Results: A total of 27 studies were included in this review, of which 13 were part of the meta-analysis. tDCS showed significant improvements in global cognitive function (p < 0.001) and selective attention (p = 0.044), but not in mental flexibility or visual attention. Positive effects on quality of life and depressive symptoms were also reported in some studies. Conclusions: tDCS may improve cognitive functions in older adults with MCI, but inconsistencies persist in its magnitude and duration. It is recommended to standardize protocols and conduct studies with greater methodological rigor and long-term follow-up.

Background/Objectives: Balance, postural control, and functional independence are essential components for the autonomy of people with neurological conditions. Robotic technologies such as the Lokomat^® have emerged as promising tools in rehabilitation, but their effectiveness when integrated into functional programs requires further evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an intensive robotic intervention on these three functional variables. Methods: A single-group, quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study was conducted with 136 participants who received a robotic rehabilitation intervention using the Lokomat^® device, and focused on functional tasks over several weeks. Balance (using the Berg scale), postural control (using the PASS), and functional independence (using the Barthel index) were assessed, comparing pre- and post-intervention results using parametric and non-parametric tests. Results: The results showed statistically significant improvements in all three variables after the intervention. The mean Berg score increased from 11.76 to 21.91 points (p < 0.001), postural control increased from 15.53 to 21.90 points (p < 0.001), and the Barthel index increased from 24.71 to 41.76 points (p < 0.001). In all cases, the effect sizes were large (d > 0.90). Conclusions: A rehabilitation program including intensive, task-oriented Lokomat^® training was associated with improvements in balance, postural control, and functional independence. Given the single-group design without a control arm, these findings reflect associations and do not establish causality.

Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain is highly prevalent in middle-aged and older adults and is associated with pain, functional limitations, and reduced qua

Background: Childhood is a key period for the development of body composition and physical activity habits that may influence health throughout life. Although physical activity has been widely associated with adiposity indicators, the role of enjoyment of physical activity as a motivational and affective component remains less explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between several anthropometric indicators and both the level of physical activity and enjoyment of physical activity in schoolchildren. Methods: An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with 386 schoolchildren (176 boys and 210 girls) with a mean age of 11.15 ± 0.66 years. Anthropometric indicators included body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. Physical activity level was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), and enjoyment of physical activity was evaluated using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed, adjusting for age and sex. Results: Higher levels of physical activity were significantly associated with lower body mass index (B = −1.592; p < 0.001), waist circumference (B = −8.010; p < 0.001), hip circumference (B = −8.227; p < 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (B = −0.008; p < 0.001), triceps skinfold thickness (B = −0.910; p = 0.002), and subscapular skinfold thickness (p < 0.05). Greater enjoyment of physical activity was significantly associated with lower body mass index (B = −1.778; p < 0.001), reduced waist circumference (B = −8.944; p < 0.001), hip circumference (B = −9.185; p < 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (B = −0.008; p < 0.001), and triceps skinfold thickness (B = −1.100; p = 0.001). Greater enjoyment was also associated with lower anthropometric indicators of central adiposity (waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio), whereas no significant association was observed with subscapular skinfold thickness (p = 0.066). Conclusions: Physical activity level and enjoyment of physical activity were associated with multiple anthropometric indicators in children, although physical activity showed more consistent associations, whereas enjoyment demonstrated a more selective pattern depending on the specific adiposity measure. These findings highlight the importance of considering both behavioral and affective dimensions of physical activity when promoting healthy morphofunctional development during childhood.

Virtual Reality is an interactive technology that creates immersive, computer-generated three-dimensional environments for therapeutic and rehabilitative purposes. In neurorehabilitation, it has been increasingly adopted to support motor, cognitive, emotional, and functional recovery via task-oriented, multisensory, and feedback-driven interventions. Originally developed for exposure-based therapies, its applications have expanded to neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and chronic pain. Its therapeutic rationale is thought to rely on mechanisms including neuroplasticity, multisensory integration, motor learning, embodiment, and adaptive feedback. Despite the fact that standardized clinical protocols are still evolving, VR is considered a complement to conventional neurorehabilitation, with advances in artificial intelligence and wearable technologies expected to further enhance its clinical applications.