The aim of this study was to identify and examine the psychometric properties of muscle tone assessments for children aged 0 to 12 years. Four electronic databases were searched to identify studies that included assessments of resting and/or active muscle tone. Methodological quality and overall psychometric evidence of studies were rated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments checklist. Twenty-one assessments were identified from 97 included studies. All assessments were broad developmental assessments that included muscle tone items or subscales. Most assessments (16/21) were designed for young children (<2y). Four assessments measured resting and active tone and demonstrated at least moderate validity or reliability: the Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessment (ATNA) at term, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), Premie-Neuro for newborn infants, and the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) for infants aged 2 months to 2 years. For children over 2 years, the Neurological Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) assesses resting and active tone but has limited validity. The ATNA at term, NNNS, Premie-Neuro, HINE, and NSMDA can assess resting and active tone in infants and/or children. Further psychometric research is required to extend reliability, validity, and responsiveness data, particularly for older children. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar y examinar las propiedades psicométricas de instrumentos de evaluaciones del tono muscular en niños de 0-12 años. Se realizaron búsquedas en cuatro bases de datos electrónicas para identificar estudios que incluyeron evaluaciones del tono muscular en reposo y / o activo. La calidad metodológica y la evidencia psicométrica general de los estudios se calificaron utilizando la plantilla de estándares basados en consenso para la selección de instrumentos de medición. Se identificaron 21 instrumentos en 97 estudios. Todos los instrumentos de evaluación fueron herramientas globales del desarrollo que incluyeron elementos de tono muscular o subescalas. La mayoría de las herramientas (16/21) se diseñaron para niños pequeños (<2 años). Cuatro instrumentos midieron el tono de reposo y activo y demostraron validez o confiabilidad al menos moderada: la evaluación neurológica de Amiel-Tison (ATNA) a término, Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales, Premie-Neuro para recién nacidos y el examen neurológico de Hammersmith (HINE) para bebés de 2 meses a 2 años. Para niños mayores de 2 años, la evaluación de desarrollo motriz sensorial neurológica (NSMDA) revisa el tono de reposo y activo, pero tiene una validez limitada. El ATNA a término, NNNS, Premie-Neuro, HINE y NSMDA pueden evaluar el tono de reposo y activo en bebés y / o niños. Se requiere futuras investigaciones psicométrica para ampliar la confiabilidad, la validez y la capacidad de respuesta, en particular para los niños mayores. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e examinar as propriedades psicométricas das avaliações do tônus muscular de crianças dos 0 aos 12 anos. Quatro bases de dados eletrônicas foram pesquisadas para identificar estudos que incluíram avaliações do tônus muscular em repouso e/ou ativo. A qualidade metodológica e toda a evidência psicométrica dos estudos foram classificadas usando a check-list do COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of Measurement INstruments (COSMIN). Vinte e uma avaliações foram identificadas nos 97 estudos incluídos. Todas foram avaliações do desenvolvimento global que incluíam itens de tônus muscular ou como subescalas. A maioria das avaliações (16/21) foi destinada a crianças menores de 2 anos. Quatro avaliações mediram o tônus em repouso e o ativo, e demonstraram, no mínimo, validade ou confiabilidade moderada: a Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessment (ATNA) para crianças a termo, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), Premie-Neuro para recém-nascidos e o Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) para lactentes de 2 meses a crianças de 2 anos. Para crianças com mais de 2 anos, a Neurological Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) avalia tônus de repouso e o ativo, mas tem validade limitada. A ATNA para crianças nascidas a termo, NNNS, Premie-Neuro, HINE e NSMDA podem avaliar o tônus de repouso e o ativo de lactentes e/ou crianças. Pesquisas psicométricas adicionais são necessárias para ampliar dados de confiabilidade, validade e responsividade das avaliações, particularmente para crianças mais velhas.

Background and Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal condition that frequently recurs, leading to increased healthcare utilization and socioeconomic burden. While short-term management strategies are well-documented, long-term recurrence patterns remain insufficiently studied. This study aims to describe the long-term recurrence patterns and healthcare utilization associated with LBP in a nationwide cohort over a 17-year period. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, retrospective longitudinal cohort study utilized data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database (2002–2018). We included 3,086,665 patients who sought medical care for LBP (ICD-10 code M54.5) at least once in 2010. Patients with a history of disability rating assessments were excluded. The primary outcomes included the number of LBP episodes, episode duration, recurrence patterns, and changes in healthcare utilization. We assessed the number of healthcare visits per episode and the interval between episodes over time. Results: Among the study population, 79.4% experienced recurrent LBP, with an average of 5.0 ± 4.9 episodes per patient. Recurrence rates increased with each episode. In addition, episode duration lengthened, and intervals between episodes shortened. Healthcare utilization also increased, with patients requiring more visits per episode over time. The demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the LBP patients in our sample were also described. Conclusions: In this population-based sample, LBP follows a progressive course, with increasing episode frequency, prolonged duration, and escalating healthcare utilization over time. These findings highlight the need for early intensive management and long-term follow-up strategies to mitigate the growing burden of recurrent LBP on individuals and healthcare systems.

Background/Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are prevalent among manufacturing workers exposed to repetitive and physically demanding tasks. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of exercise-based interventions on musculoskeletal pain and physical function among manufacturing workers, focusing on symptom management and functional improvement rather than the prevention of new WMSDs. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched from inception to March 31, 2026. Prospective controlled studies of workplace- or job-related exercise interventions were included. Risk of bias was evaluated within the RoB 2 framework, and random-effects meta-analyses used standardized mean differences (Hedges’ g), with functional outcomes analyzed separately by domain. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261369113). Results: Thirteen studies were included in the review. The revised primary pain synthesis included seven studies (414 participants) and favored exercise-based interventions (SMD −0.69, 95% CI −1.25 to −0.12; I² = 71.9%). Disability/function-status outcomes included three studies (143 participants; SMD −0.67, 95% CI −1.42 to 0.07). Estimates for shoulder abduction range of motion (two studies; 111 participants; SMD −0.63, 95% CI −3.29 to 2.03) and RAND-36 physical functioning (one study; 24 participants; SMD −0.21, 95% CI −1.06 to 0.64) were imprecise. Evidence certainty was low for disability/function-status outcomes and very low for the other outcomes. Conclusions: Exercise-based interventions may improve disability/function-status outcomes, although the confidence interval included little or no difference. Evidence for effects on pain, shoulder range of motion, and RAND-36 physical functioning remains very uncertain. The findings concern symptom management rather than demonstrated prevention of new WMSDs. Optimal exercise prescriptions and sustained benefits remain uncertain.