Objectives: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of epidermis dermis fascia (EDF) kinesiotaping (KT) technique on pain intensity, number of active trigger points (TrPs), cervical range of motion (ROM) angles, and disability levels in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) on upper trapezius (UT) muscle. Patients and methods: Between January 2019 and January 2020, a total of 180 patients (21 males, 159 females; mean age: 35.9±9.0 years; range, 18 to 56 years) with MPS were included. The patients were randomized into either KT with EDF technique (Group 1) or sham KT (Group 2). Outcome measures were Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, number of active TrPs, cervical ROM angles, and Neck Pain Disability Scale (NPDS). Results: Both groups improved in terms of all outcome parameters except for cervical flexion and extension angles in Group 2. The VAS pain scores significantly decreased in Group 1 (p<0.05), compared to Group 2. The number of active TrPs (p=0.001) and NPDS scores (p=0.016) of Group 1 significantly improved than Group 2. Cervical flexion (p=0.001), extension (p=0.001), and left and right lateral flexion angles (p<0.0001) significantly improved in Group 1. Cervical left (p=0.001) and right (p<0.0001) lateral flexion angles significantly improved in Group 2. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding cervical ROM angles. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that KT with the EDF technique is an effective method in reducing pain and number of active TrPs, improving disability and cervical ROM angles.

Background/Objectives: Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is a frequent post-stroke complication affecting 30–65% of survivors, contributing to motor dysfunction and reduced quality of life. Balance impairment is another major concern that increases fall risk. This study aimed to examine the associations between HSP, shoulder range-of-motion (ROM) limitations and balance performance using both clinical and sensor-based evaluations. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 108 stroke survivors (54 with HSP, 54 without) were assessed. Pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), balance with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and shoulder mobility and postural sway with the validated Euleria Lab IMU-based system integrated with a force platform. Between-group differences were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, and correlations between pain, ROM, balance, and fall-risk indices were determined via Spearman coefficients. Results: Participants with HSP had significantly lower BBS scores (20.96 ± 8.71) than those without HSP (34.58 ± 11.71; p < 0.001). VAS activity scores were negatively correlated with BBS (r = −0.196, p = 0.043) and positively correlated with postural sway and fall-risk parameters, particularly under eyes-closed conditions. Shoulder ROM limitations were linked to poorer balance, and both static and dynamic fall-risk indices were strongly correlated with pain severity (r = 0.676 and r = 0.657; p < 0.001). Conclusions: HSP was associated with impaired balance and elevated fall risk in stroke survivors. The combination of clinical scales and wearable sensor-based measurements provides a comprehensive understanding of postural control deficits. These findings emphasize the need for rehabilitation strategies targeting pain reduction, shoulder mobility, and balance to support functional recovery.

Background: Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is a new device and its efficiency on pain treatment needs to be clarified. Our aim is to investigate the effects of PEMF therapy in combination with conventional physical therapy modalities in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Methods: Prospective, randomized, patient-blinded, controlled trial with twenty-nine subjects having chronic nonspecific LBP were randomized into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received PEMF in addition to conventional physical therapy, whereas the control group received a sham electromagnetic field with conventional physical therapy for ten sessions over a four-week period. Pain intensity, functional disability and lumbar range of motion measures were collected. Results: Twenty-seven participants with chronic non-specific LBP completed the study (Experimental group N=13, control group N=14). There were significant within-subject effects and treatment*time effects for pain intensity, ODI, and lumbar ROM results. The change in pain intensity (p=0.004), ODI (p=0.012) and lumbar ROM (p<0.001) were significantly higher in the PEMF group compared to the control group. Conclusions: Compared to conventional physical therapy, combining PEMF therapy with conventional physical therapy provides greater clinical improvement in terms of pain intensity, functional disability and lumbar ROM in subjects with non-specific LBP.

Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, asthenia, and sleep disturbances. FM may have effects on the eyes, such as dry eye disease (DED) and retinal changes. The aim of this study is to evaluate these ocular changes in FM patients. Methods: It is a single-center prospective study. Forty-two female patients with FM (Group 1) and 37 healthy controls (Group 2) participated in the study. Study participants underwent screening tests for DED and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Results: According to the Schirmer test, Group 1 had lower scores with a significant difference (8.2 ± 4.36 mm vs. 17.51 ± 2.41 mm). When the tear film breakup time (TBUT) test values were analyzed, there was a significant difference between groups; Group 1 had lower scores (4.95 ± 2.26 s vs. 9.86 ± 1.64 s). When the RNFL thickness values were analyzed by quadrants, our results in Group 1 FM patients were lower in the superior temporal quadrant (117.98 ± 13.98 µm vs. 124.35 ± 13.71 µm). Conclusions: These findings indicate that patients with fibromyalgia may have increased dry eye findings and localized RNFL thinning, suggesting that fibromyalgia may be associated with both anterior and posterior segment ocular alterations. However, these parameters should be interpreted as ocular manifestations rather than diagnostic markers. Further studies are needed to determine their clinical relevance and potential biomarker value.

Background/Objectives: Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) is an investigational, off-label neuromodulation strategy used adjunctively with rehabilitation in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), but safety and longitudinal functional data specific to traumatic cervical SCI remain limited. This is a descriptive safety-and-feasibility study, not an efficacy study; no efficacy or causal claim is made. Methods: In this single-centre observational cohort, 32 consecutive patients with traumatic cervical SCI underwent EES implantation and were included in baseline and safety analyses, while longitudinal analyses comprised the 26 participants with complete Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) III data at baseline and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Rehabilitation dose was quantified (approximately 1087 prescribed therapy hours over 12 months) and adverse events were classified using ISO 14155:2020 definitions with WHO–UMC causality grading. Prespecified outcomes were device- and procedure-related adverse events and total and domain-specific SCIM III scores; analyses were descriptive. Results: Patients were aged 33.8 ± 10.3 years, 28 (87.5%) were male, and baseline AIS grade was A in 31 and B in 1. Mean total SCIM III increased from 14.81 ± 8.92 at baseline to 21.77 ± 14.60, 25.12 ± 15.90, 28.23 ± 17.68 and 32.42 ± 19.45 at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months (all p < 0.001), with gains across self-care, respiration and sphincter management, and mobility; 10 of 32 patients (31.3%) improved by at least one AIS grade. Adverse events were infrequent: sterile hardware-site inflammation (2, 6.3%), explantation (1, 3.1%) and a first-ever seizure (1, 3.1%), without stimulation-related neurological deterioration. Conclusions: The cohort was highly selected (31/32 baseline AIS A; 87.5% male; injury-to-implant interval 10–339 months), no comparator group was available, stimulation programming was individualised rather than protocolised, and 6 of 32 patients lacked complete 12-month follow-up; these features limit reproducibility and generalisability and preclude any inference about effectiveness. EES with rehabilitation was well tolerated and accompanied by progressive functional gains, although the uncontrolled design precludes causal inference. The contribution of this report is therefore transparent safety, dose and programming data, together with a prespecified protocol framework intended to make a controlled, propensity-matched evaluation of EES in traumatic cervical SCI feasible and reproducible.

Background: Aim was to investigate the relationship between knee osteoarthritis severity and obstructive sleep apnea risk and insomnia severity Methods: A total of 127 patients with knee osteoarthritis were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. The relationship between Kellgren-Lawrence classification, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index score, Berlin questionnaire score, Insomnia Severity Index score, age, sex, and body-mass index was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The mean age of the radiological stage 1 group was significantly lower compared to the other group (p<0.001). 84.3% of all patients were female, and there was no significant sex difference between the groups (p=0.327). The median WOMAC scores of the stage 2, 3 and 4 groups were significantly higher than that of the stage 1 group (p<0.001). The median WOMAC pain subscore of the stage 3 and 4 groups were significantly higher than that of the stage 2 and the stage 1 group (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that high BMI (p=0.005) was the only factor independently associated with greater OSA risk. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sex (p=0.008) and WOMAC score (p=0.001) were independently associated with greater insomnia severity. Conclusions: In multivariable analysis, high BMI was determined as the only independent risk factor associated with higher OSA likelihood, while advanced age and high WOMAC total score were determined as independent risk factors for greater insomnia severity. The WOMAC score can be used to predict the severity of osteoarthritis and insomnia, and could be valuable for management.