Background and Objectives: Postural instability is a key feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD), contributing to disability and increased risk of falls. Pharmacological treatments are important, but it is necessary to integrate them with rehabilitation programs that provide benefits for gait and balance. Focal muscle vibration (fMV) has been proposed as a proprioceptive-oriented intervention to enhance postural control, but evidence in PD remains heterogeneous. This observational, retrospective, and controlled pilot study aimed to evaluate whether the integration of fMV into a standardized rehabilitation program provides additional benefits for balance, gait, and fall risk compared to standardized exercise alone in patients with PD. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 35 outpatients with Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn & Yahr stage II–III) were reviewed. All practiced a standardized rehabilitation exercise group program. Of these, 18 patients agreed to undergo fMV before the exercise sessions (fMV group); 17 patients did not accept fMV due to personal organizational reasons (EG) and were considered a retrospective control group. In detail, (i) the fMV group receivdc focal muscle vibration during the first three weeks in addition to a standardized group rehabilitation exercise program, and (ii) the EG underwent a standardized rehabilitation program only. Both groups then completed an identical 16-week standardized rehabilitation program. Functional outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0) and after one month (T1). Results: Groups were homogeneous at baseline. The fMV group showed significant improvements in SPPB (from 8.16 ± 1.6 to 10.2 ± 1.6 p < 0.001) in the Tinetti total (from 18.38 ± 3.2 to 21.5 ± 2.9 p < 0.05). Stabilometric analysis revealed a significant improvement in the Romberg Quotient in the fMV group (p < 0.005). Conclusions: A short time-limited fMV intervention may act as a sensory primer, enhancing the effects of a subsequent standardized rehabilitation program in PD.

Background: Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMTd) is the most prevalent inherited peripheral neuropathy, often associated with foot deformities and gait and balance impairments. While the structural characteristics of the foot have been extensively investigated, limited data are available regarding the features of the plantar fascia in individuals with CMTd. Aim: To investigate the ultrasound (US) structural characteristics of the plantar fascia in subjects with CMTd and to explore their relations with disease severity and functional outcomes, encompassing lower extremity function, gait, and balance. Methods: A total of 26 individuals with confirmed CMTd underwent clinical and functional assessments. Bilateral ultrasound examination of the plantar fascia was performed to assess thickness, echogenicity, fibrillar pattern, and inflammatory signs (as assessed by US Power Doppler). Correlations between ultrasound findings, clinical data, and functional measures were also evaluated. Results: No pathological increase in plantar fascia thickness was observed, although a significant side-to-side difference was noted (p = 0.031) on ultrasound (US) imaging. No inflammatory signs were also detected. Significant associations were found between fascial alterations and age (p = 0.024), disease severity (CMTES, p = 0.014), and functional performance (10 MWT p = 0.017; SPPB p = 0.039). Conclusions: In individuals with CMT, plantar fascia abnormalities likely reflect chronic structural degeneration rather than acute inflammation. These changes are more evident with an increase in age, disease progression, and functional decline, suggesting the role of US imaging as a valuable tool for clinical and therapeutic strategies.

Background and Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is frequently associated with postural instability, including camptocormia, an involuntary anterior flexion of the thoracolumbar spine. This retrospective observational pilot study evaluated the effects of a postural group rehabilitation protocol on the stabilometric parameters, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in PD patients with camptocormia, and whether gains were maintained during a subsequent two-month period after completion of supervised group rehabilitation, during which patients were provided with a general home-based exercise program. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr II–III) were assessed at baseline (T0), after two months of twice-weekly rehabilitation (T1). At T2, only stabilometric follow-up was performed after two months without group exercise for 38 patients. Outcomes included SPPB, Tinetti, Berg Balance Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, PDQ-39, occiput-to-wall distance and stabilometric analysis. Results: At T1, Hamilton scores decreased from 11.44 ± 4.59 to 3.33 ± 3.04 and PDQ-39 from 82.22 ± 22.36 to 69.72 ± 16.54 (both p < 0.001). Occiput-to-wall distance improved significantly in three of six positions. The EO/EC Perimeter Ratio decreased significantly from T0 to T1 (p = 0.016). Between T1 and T2, EO Perimeter continued improving (p = 0.010), whereas the Perimeter Ratio worsened (p = 0.046), and EC Ellipse area, though non-significant, increased rather than decreased. Conclusions: A two-month protocol was followed by apparent improvements in depression, quality of life, postural alignment, and selected stabilometric parameters. After discontinuation, some parameters appeared to improve while others seemed to worsen, suggesting these effects may not be sustained with uniformity. These preliminary findings should be confirmed with an expanded sample size in larger studies.

Background/Objective: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a frequent postoperative complication associated with shoulder functional impairment. Early diagnosis and comprehensive assessment are recommended, yet the literature shows heterogeneity regarding instrumental tools and the role of soft tissue ultrasound is not yet standardized. The aim of this retrospective observational study is to evaluate correlations between shoulder impairment and lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Methods: Medical records of 27 outpatient women after breast cancer surgery (mean age ± SD: 55.10 ± 9.58) were evaluated. Clinical variables included anamnestic data regarding surgery and oncology treatments, limb circumferences, passive shoulder range of motion (PROM), axillary web syndrome (AWS) and BMI. Assessment tools included DASH, ECOG, and VAS. Millimetric ultrasound measurements of the dermo-epidermal complex and subcutaneous tissue, at standardized sites, were performed to study limb lymphedema. Results: Lymphedema was found in 35.7% of patients. They showed higher rates of lymphadenectomy, AWS, higher BMI, limited shoulder flexion (p = 0.002) and abduction (p = 0.004), and higher DASH scores (31.99 ± 15.70 vs. 26.16 ± 17.8) compared with patients without lymphedema. There was a preliminary correspondence between circumferential and ultrasound measurement sites of patients’ lymphedema limbs. Conclusions: Ultrasound evaluation associated with functional assessment may support the early diagnosis of shoulder impairment and higher limb lymphedema risk to improve rehabilitation treatments in patients after breast cancer surgery.

Spinal accessory nerve (SAN) injury is one of the most common causes of shoulder impairment after neck dissection for head and neck cancer. Dysfunction of trapezius muscle function is related to scapular biomechanics, and it results in pain, along with a reduction in range of motion, muscle weakness, and limitations in activities of daily living. Recently, exercise-based rehabilitation has been recognized as an important component of care. Evidence regarding the most effective rehabilitation strategies remains limited. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive overview of SAN-related shoulder dysfunction following neck dissection for head and neck cancer, with particular emphasis on three main aspects: surgical strategies for preventing SAN injury, postoperative rehabilitation interventions for patients with established or suspected SAN-related dysfunction, and clinical and patient-reported outcome measures used to assess shoulder function and disability. A narrative review was conducted. Papers evaluating rehabilitation interventions for spinal accessory nerve injury after head and neck cancer surgery were included, and studies on rehabilitation interventions (manual therapy, strengthening, and supervised exercise) that are related to a reduction in pain and improvements in shoulder mobility, disability, and function were analyzed. Manual therapy enhanced cervical mobility and quality of life, strengthening improved short-term shoulder abduction, and supervised programs were more effective than home-based rehabilitation for pain and disability reduction. Targeted rehabilitation, including structured exercises and supervised physiotherapy, may improve shoulder mobility, reduce pain, and enhance functional recovery following spinal accessory nerve injury. Hospital-based supervised programs appear to offer greater short-term benefits. However, the limited evidence, small sample sizes, and heterogeneity in interventions prevent definitive recommendations. Further high-quality randomized trials with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are needed.