Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a very common pathology among pregnant women and various methods are used to reduce the pain. The aim of this study is to conduct an evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the effectiveness of the interventions used to reduce low back pain related to pregnancy. Methods and materials: The PEDro database, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched from January 2012 until December 2020 as well as the reference lists from identified articles. Studies of any non-pharmaceutical treatment to decrease low back pain were included but only randomized controlled trials were selected. The articles found were screened using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) question. Details about the type of intervention, sample size, outcome measures, results, and statistical significance were extracted from the selected studies. A meta-analysis for pain intensity was conducted and the I² index as well as x² test were used to determine the heterogeneity between studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was carried out. The aim was to compare the effectiveness between various methods and the typical care provided on low back pain during pregnancy. Results: From all the articles found in the mentioned databases only 13 studies met the criteria. In these studies, exercise, manipulation, ear acupuncture, Kinesio tape, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and neuroemotional technique were the interventions used. In the meta-analysis, six studies with 693 participants were included. The interventions were found to have in total a statistically significant effect on low back pain in comparison with the control group that included the typical care provided to pregnant women (95%CI: 0.08 (0.02,0.31), p<0,01) and they had a high heterogeneity (considerable, Tau² = 2.70; Chi² = 64.11, I² = 91%). Exercise and TENS were determined as more effective than the other types of interventions. Conclusions: TENS and progressive muscle relaxation exercises accompanied by music were found to be the most effective interventions. Although exercise decreased LBP it was not found to have a statistically significant result even though it seems to improve the disability and quality of life of pregnant women. Osteopathic manual treatment (OMT), Kinesio tape, and ear acupuncture affected the lumbar pain intensity but the difference compared to typical care or sham treatment was not statistically significant, while yoga did not improve pregnancy-related LBP. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of the interventions mentioned.

One of the most common chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes is myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Trigger points (TrPs) are hypersensitive taut bands that appear in two genres, each with a different ratio in specific areas of the muscles, and when triggered, they can produce pain, numbness, and tingling. Various underlying causes (mechanical, nutritional, and psychological) have been discovered to participate in the pathogenesis of MPS, activating trigger points and intensifying the pain. Furthermore, genetic, social, and psychological factors seem to exacerbate these patients' clinical appearance, according to the biopsychosocial model, which seems to be closely linked to the formation of trigger points. Chronic pain and psychological distress frequently coexist, and psychological and social factors have been found to worsen the patient's quality of life and perpetuate the existing pain. The diagnosis is formed following a comprehensive physical and clinical examination, and the appropriate management technique is selected. For MPS treatment, management techniques based on the biopsychosocial model are used in conjunction with various myofascial release strategies and pharmacologic care. Exercise, posture correction, and a vitamin balance in the diet, especially in the Vitamin B complex, appear to prevent trigger point (TrP) activation. The precise etiology of MPS is not clear yet, and further research is needed to determine the root cause. A holistic approach, which blends the basic clinical care with the management of the biopsychosocial model, is essential to patients with MPS to regain their function and improve their quality of life and wellbeing.

Background/Objectives: Cancer represents a significant health challenge, with high mortality and morbidity rates. Its diagnosis often triggers chronic stress, adversely affecting patient outcomes. Exercise has emerged as complementary therapy, enhancing treatment adherence and mitigating the side effects of chemotherapy. This study examines the effects of mild exercise during chemotherapy on patient anxiety. Methods: This prospective paired cohort study was conducted in the General Oncology Hospital of Kifisia “Agioi Anargyroi” in Athens, Greece. Adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy participated, excluding those with cognitive, hearing, or motor impairments, those who experienced side effects, or those who declined consent. Anxiety was measured before and after a 20-minute exercise routine performed during chemotherapy, using the Greek-translated State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The exercise regimen included warm-up, full-body stretching, and cool-down exercises. Pre- and post-exercise scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Forty-five patients (20 women, 25 men; mean age 69.02 ± 10.62 years) with various cancer backgrounds participated. Pre-intervention anxiety levels were in the borderline “moderate” range, dropping post-exercise to the “low” range. Mean STAI scores decreased from 37.73 ± 13.33 to 32.00 ± 14.22 (p < 0.0001), with a medium-large effect size (Cohen’s d for paired samples = −0.646). No significant correlation was found between age and anxiety scores. Discussion: This study found a significant short-term reduction in anxiety, suggesting that incorporating mild exercise during chemotherapy may help in alleviating patient stress. The medium-to-large effect size supports the potential for meaningful short-term benefits. Conclusions: Incorporating mild exercise during chemotherapy may help reduce anxiety and psychological burden. These findings underscore the need for more comprehensive research in larger, more diverse populations to better understand the benefits of incorporating mild exercise during chemotherapy.

Background: Digital health has accelerated telehealth uptake, yet evidence comparing video-based musculoskeletal assessment with traditional in-person examination is limited. This study evaluated the concurrent validity and interrater reliability of video-based physiotherapy assessment versus face-to-face assessment in patients with knee pain. Methods: Patients with knee pain underwent randomized consecutive in-person and video-based assessments by experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapists. Clinical diagnoses were categorized into seven groups (red flag, yellow flag, arthrogenic, tendinopathy, patellofemoral pain, muscle sprain, neurogenic). Primary outcomes were intermethod agreement and Cohen’s kappa; sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and interrater reliability for video assessments were also reported. Results: Forty-five participants (mean age 38 ± 6.5 years; 55.6% female) completed the study. In-person and video-based assessments produced identical diagnoses in 43/45 cases (Cohen’s κ = 0.92, p < 0.001). Telehealth accuracy was high across all diagnostic categories (90–100%). Interrater agreement between video-based assessors was 93.3% (κ = 0.89, p < 0.001). Agreement between assessments was moderately associated with KOOS (r = 0.312, p = 0.037). Conclusions: In this selected pragmatic sample, video-based physiotherapy assessment demonstrated high concurrent agreement and excellent interrater reliability with face-to-face assessment. Given the study’s sample size, repeated-measures design, and lack of an independent reference standard, these results indicate feasibility and intermethod agreement rather than diagnostic equivalence. Video assessment may be a feasible option for triage and management in selected settings, but further research in larger, more diverse populations and evaluation against independent reference standards is required.

Background/Objectives: Cancer represents a significant health challenge, with high mortality and morbidity rates. Such a diagnosis often triggers chronic stress, adversely affecting patient outcomes. Exercise has emerged as a complementary therapy, enhancing treatment adherence and mitigating the side effects of chemotherapy. This study examines the effects of mild exercise during chemotherapy on patient anxiety levels. Methods: This prospective paired cohort study was conducted at the General Oncology Hospital of Kifisia "Agioi Anargyroi" in Athens, Greece. Adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy participated, excluding those with cognitive, hearing, or motor impairments, side effects, or who declined consent. Anxiety was measured before and after a 20-minute exercise routine performed during chemotherapy, using the Greek-translated State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The exercise regimen included warm-up, full-body stretching, and cool-down exercises. Pre- and post-exercise scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Forty-five patients (20 women, 25 men; mean age 69.02 ± 10.62 years) with various cancers participated. Pre-intervention anxiety levels were in the borderline "moderate" range, dropping post-exercise to the "low" range. Mean STAI scores decreased from 37.73 ± 13.33 to 32.00 ± 14.22 (p < 0.0001), with a medium-large effect size (Cohen's d for paired samples = -0.646). No significant correlation was found between age and anxiety scores. Conclusions: This study found a significant short-term reduction in anxiety, suggesting that incorporating mild exercise during chemotherapy may help alleviate patient stress. The medium-to-large effect size supports the potential for meaningful short-term benefits. These findings underscore the need for more comprehensive research in larger, more diverse populations to better understand the benefits of incorporating mild exercise into chemotherapy