Background and Objectives: Lumbar disk herniation with radiculopathy (LDHR) is a prevalent neuromusculoskeletal condition characterized by nociceptive and neuropathic pain components. Manual therapy (MT) is commonly used in its management, whereas Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) represents an emerging modality with limited evidence in radiculopathy. The aim of this study was to examine the short-term effects of combining MT with FMS compared with MT alone on pain intensity, neuropathic pain features, neural mechanosensitivity, and functional disability in individuals with chronic LDHR. Materials and Methods: Forty adults with MRI-confirmed unilateral LDHR were randomly allocated to an MT + FMS group or an MT-only group. Both groups received ten treatment sessions over three weeks. Outcomes included lumbar and leg pain intensity (NPRS), functional disability (RMDQ), neuropathic pain symptoms (S-LANSS), and straight leg raise (SLR) range of motion. Measurements were obtained at baseline and at week 3. Group and time effects were examined using a two-way mixed ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant group × time interactions were observed for all outcomes (p < 0.01), indicating greater improvements in the MT + FMS group. Reductions in lumbar and leg pain, disability, and S-LANSS scores exceeded established MCID thresholds, while SLR gains surpassed published MDC values, reflecting both statistical and clinical relevance. Only the MT + FMS group improved below the neuropathic pain diagnostic cutoff (S-LANSS < 12). Conclusions: The findings of this trial suggest that incorporating FMS into a manual therapy program may provide additional short-term clinical benefits for individuals with chronic LDHR. Further research with larger samples, longer follow-up periods, and mechanistic assessments is needed to confirm these preliminary results and to better understand the underlying mechanisms.

The aim of the current study was to describe cognitive and motor developmental trajectories in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during the first year of life and identify associated neonatal medical risk factors. In this longitudinal cohort study, 94 VLBW infants (birth weight 1500g; gestational age 32 weeks; 53 males, 41 females) were assessed at 3- and 12-months corrected age (CA). Neurodevelopment was evaluated using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. Multivariate regression was used to identify medical factors associated with cognitive and motor performance. Cognitive composite scores remained stable between 3- and 12-months CA p=0.245. Conversely, motor composite scores demonstrated a significant decline (101.4±14.1 at 3 months vs 95.0±13.2 at 12 months; p<0.0001). At 12 months CA, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) was significantly associated with lower scores in both domains. Intraventricular hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis were also significant predictors of poorer motor performance. VLBW infants exhibit divergent developmental paths during the first year of life. The significant decline in motor scores suggests that motor vulnerabilities become increasingly apparent as infants mature. The impact of white matter injury and specific neonatal morbidities emphasizes the necessity for systematic motor screening and early physiotherapy intervention to mitigate developmental delays.

Background: Weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion may be relevant to postural control and mobility, but its relationship with fall history in older adults remains insufficiently examined. This study compared weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion between older adults with and without a history of falls and examined associations with balance, functional mobility, concern about falling, and faller status. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 72.6 ± 5.4 years; 62.2% women), comprising 45 fallers and 45 non-fallers classified by self-reported fall history during the previous 12 months. Weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion was assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT); balance, mobility, and concern about falling were assessed using Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques (FICSIT-4), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and the Greek Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Results: Fallers had lower bilateral mean WBLT values than non-fallers (7.1 ± 2.0 vs. 9.4 ± 2.1 cm, p < 0.001). Greater bilateral mean WBLT distance was associated with higher FICSIT-4 scores (r = 0.47), shorter TUG times (r = −0.52), and lower FES-I scores (r = −0.44; all p < 0.001). Bilateral mean WBLT distance was associated with lower odds of faller status after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.42–0.73, p < 0.001), remaining significant after additional adjustment for medication count (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.40–0.72, p < 0.001). In an exploratory within-sample ROC analysis without independent validation, WBLT bilateral mean distance discriminated previous faller status (AUC = 0.79, 95% CI 0.69–0.88), but did not establish prediction of future falls. Conclusions: Older adults with a history of falls demonstrated reduced weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion. The WBLT may provide complementary ankle-specific information associated with faller status and fall-related functional characteristics. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine its prognostic value for future falls.

Background: Tibial bone stress injury (TBSI) with associated bone marrow edema (BME) is a common and clinically challenging condition in athletes, often requiring prolonged load restriction and delayed return to sport. Evidence for adjunctive interventions that improve both symptoms and MRI-derived recovery remains limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether adding Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) to standardized rehabilitation improves pain, function, and MRI-derived outcomes over 16 weeks in athletes with MRI-confirmed TBSI. Materials and Methods: Forty athletes with Fredericson grade 2–3 TBSI were randomized to FMS plus rehabilitation (n = 20) or rehabilitation alone (n = 20). Both groups completed a 4-week load-based rehabilitation program, while the FMS group additionally received eight 30 min FMS sessions at 40 Hz. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 16 weeks. The primary outcome was activity-related pain (NPRS), while secondary outcomes included lower-limb function (LEFS-GR), BME extent, and Fredericson grade. Continuous outcomes were analyzed using two-way mixed ANOVA, whereas Fredericson grade was analyzed using an ordinal generalized estimating equation model. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Groups were comparable at baseline. Significant group × time interactions favored FMS for NPRS, F(2, 76) = 12.46, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.247; LEFS-GR, F(1.08, 41.09) = 81.56, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.682; and BME extent, F(1.44, 54.85) = 49.33, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.565. At 16 weeks, the FMS group showed lower NPRS scores, higher LEFS-GR scores, and lower BME extent than controls. Fredericson grade also showed a significant group × time effect, Wald χ²(2) = 20.38, p < 0.001. The FMS group had significantly lower cumulative odds of classification in a higher Fredericson grade at 4 weeks (OR = 0.045, 95% CI: 0.012–0.163, p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding difference at 16 weeks remained directionally favorable but did not reach statistical significance (OR = 0.033, 95% CI: 0.001–1.029, p = 0.052). Conclusions: The addition of FMS to load-based rehabilitation was associated with greater clinical and functional improvements, greater reductions in BME extent, and a more favorable longitudinal trajectory in MRI severity classification than rehabilitation alone in athletes with TBSI. However, because the study did not include a sham-FMS condition and participants could not be blinded, the self-reported pain and functional outcomes should be interpreted cautiously. FMS may represent a useful adjunct to structured rehabilitation, although sham-controlled and longer-term studies should determine its effects on return-to-sport progression and recurrence risk.