Although myofascial release techniques (MRTs) are commonly used to improve athletes’ range of motion (ROM), the effectiveness of MRTs may vary depending on the specific method performed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of MRTs on the ROM performance of athletes. (2) Methods: The electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant articles published up to June 2023. This study utilized the PRISMA guidelines, and four databases were searched. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the certainty of evidence was reported using the GRADE scale. The overall effect size was calculated using the robust variance estimator, and subgroup analyses were conducted using the Hotelling Zhang test. (3) Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall effect size results indicated that the myofascial release intervention had a moderate effect on ROM performance in athletes when compared to the active or passive control groups. (4) Conclusions: Alternative MRTs, such as myofascial trigger point therapy, can further improve the ROM performance of athletes. Gender, duration of intervention, and joint type may have a moderating effect on the effectiveness of MRTs.

Background: Phantom limb pain, poor sleep, musculoskeletal pain, and psychological distress are common in patients following traumatic lower-limb amputations. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of research on the connections between these variables and rehabilitation service accessibility. Evidence on phantom limb pain and related rehabilitation factors remains limited in conflict-affected settings, where access to timely prosthetic and rehabilitation services may be substantially disrupted. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of phantom limb pain and chronic musculoskeletal pain, and to assess their correlation with sleep quality, depression, anxiety and access to rehabilitation services in individuals with traumatic lower-limb amputation. Methods: Between August 2025 and April 2026, 491 patients with unilateral traumatic lower-limb amputations who were receiving outpatient rehabilitation services participated in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure sleep quality, while the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure anxiety and depression. In addition, participants reported delays in physiotherapy and prosthetic fitting, phantom limb pain, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Mann–Whitney U tests were used for group comparisons, while multiple regression analysis and Spearman correlations were used to assess the relationships. Results: Phantom limb pain was reported by 78.8% of participants, while 46.2% experienced chronic musculoskeletal pain. Among patients who had not received a prosthesis, the mean delay to prosthetic provision was 472.9 days, while the median delay was 502 days. Poorer sleep quality (β = 0.480, p < 0.001) and longer delays to prosthetic fitting (β = 0.184, p = 0.002) were independently associated with greater phantom limb pain intensity. Participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain and those who had not received a prosthesis experienced poorer sleep quality, greater depression and anxiety, and more severe phantom pain than participants without musculoskeletal pain and those who had received a prosthesis. Conclusions: Phantom limb and chronic musculoskeletal pain are highly prevalent after lower-limb amputation. Delayed prosthetic fitting and sleep disturbances are associated with greater phantom pain.

Patients following total knee replacement (TKR) may experience persistent balance deficits and reduced quality of life, highlighting the need for rehabilit

Cervicogenic headache is a common condition frequently associated with cervical spine disorders. It significantly impairs physical and psychological well-being. To date, no study has prospectively investigated the predictors of Cervicogenic headache. Identifying these predictors is essential for early intervention and the development of targeted management strategies. To examine the predictors of cervicogenic headache in patients with chronic neck pain at the 6-month follow-up period. A prospective study was conducted. A total of 321 patients with chronic neck pain were selected for this study. Data were collected at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up. Cervical X-rays were taken to assess the Cervical Cobb angle, and self-reported questionnaires were used to assess sleep quality, pain intensity, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. Binary logistic regression and Mann-Whitney U test were employed for the analysis. The study found that cervical Cobb angle 95% CI (.85, .96), p = .001, sleep quality 95% CI (1.32, 1.81), p < .001, depression 95% CI (1.09, 1.55), p = .003 and anxiety 95% CI (1.15, 1.59), p < .001 were significant predictors of cervicogenic headache in patients with chronic neck pain at 6-month follow-up period. Our results suggest that altered cervical Cobb angle, poor sleep quality, and psychological status may serve as potential predictors of cervicogenic headache in patients with chronic neck pain. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing cervicogenic headache and neck pain that addresses both physical and psychological factors. By targeting these comorbidities, health-care providers may be able to improve outcomes and prevent the development of cervicogenic headache in patients with chronic neck pain. The study was registered in August 2023.