Gait speed is a fast, low cost and accurate measurement for evaluating older persons’ functional ability, both health and with comorbidities. Previous studies have evaluated gait speed measured over courses of varying distances, but the non-timed phases are not measured uniformly. It is unknown if this affects the results of the test. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of the running speed test of two different timed phases compared to the same nontimed phases. We conducted a descriptive reliability study, with an observational and cross-sectional analytical design. One hundred thirty-six older persons were included. Two gait speed tests were taken, one of 4 and 10 meters, and 2 meters for the acceleration/deceleration phase for both tests. The average of two attempts was obtained as a final measure of each test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to express the results (ICC) with a fixed effects model and the Bland and Altman method (confidence interval of 95%), complemented with the standard error of the mean and minimal detectable change with 95% confidence values (MDC95). The results indicate an excellent level of agreement between the attempts of the tests of 4- and 10-m (ICC = 0.959 and 0.976, respectively), as well as between the average of the two tests (ICC = 0.867). The agreement was slightly better between the two attempts in the 10-meter test. The number of attempts does not affect the results of gait speed. Further analysis is required to conclude the same regarding the distance of the test (4 and 10 meters). The difference in the results of the Bland Altman analysis for the average of the 4 and 10-meter tests was 1.5945 m/s (95% confidence interval: 0.9759 to 2.2130 m/s), which is too wide and higher than the MDC95 value. The ICC value was excellent in all cases, and the number of attempts does not affect the results of gait speed. However, further analysis is required to conclude the same regarding the distance of the test. There is an insufficient agreement between the two tests to allow them to be used interchangeably in populations with the characteristics of this study. .

Purpose: It aimed at describing the perception of the clinical educational environment by physiotherapy students based on the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measurement Questionnaire in Chile.Methods: The clinical education environment was evaluated according to the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) by 192 students originally enrolled in the fifth year of the physiotherapy career at 3 different headquarters of the academic institution: Santiago, Viña del Mar, and Concepcion Campus (Metropolitan, Valparaiso, and Bio Bio region, respectively), from March to October 2018. The Cronbach’s α was applied to measure the reliability of the instrument and the Student-t and analysis of variance tests were used to compare the differences of PHEEM scores by headquarters, environmental areas, and experience of internship.Results: A total overall average score of 125.88 was obtained, which meant an excellent educational environment. The overall score was 127.6±22.7 for headquarters 1, 125.6±21.6 for headquarters 2, and 122.5±26.9 for headquarters 3. According to the type of establishment, the scores were of 127.1±22.1 for private and 123.5±26.3 for public institutes. According to the type of area, the score was cataloged as an excellent educational environment in all cases, except in the respiratory care area (lowest score, 117.5±29.1). Finally, the score was 126.9±20.5 for the first internship, 121.7±29.3 for the second, and 129.4±19.6 for the third.Conclusion: There is relative homogeneity of the clinical educational environment for different headquarters, types of establishment, or type of area; but there are significant differences in the number of the internship. The promotion of a good clinical educational environment can have an important impact on the development and performance of the future professional, being the detection of negative aspects an opportunity to improve the hidden curriculum.

To determine the relationship between sleep quality and postural balance in older adults living in the community. An analytical cross-sectional study was used. We recruited 53 subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was administered, and a static balance test was performed through a computerized posturography to evaluate the postural balance. Fifty-three subjects 60 to 80 years old (M = 70.13; standard deviation = 6.06) were evaluated; 69.8% were women and 30.2% were men. The correlation test found a statistically significant and positive relationship, but moderate (p = 0.002; r = 0.417) between total displacement and sleep quality in the Romberg open eyes test. The same happened with the total displacement in the Romberg close eyes test (p = 0.002, r = 0.445). Displacements were always greater in the anteroposterior plane, where a statistically significant and positive correlation with sleep quality was also found in all posturological tests. The correlation was moderate in all cases. There is a relationship between the quality of sleep measured and postural balance. However, this relationship is low to moderate, and the size of the effect must be considered before accepting the hypothesis.

Cancer significantly impairs patients' quality of life and physical function. The Pilates method, a mind-body exercise emphasizing breath control and movement precision, has been associated with improvements in strength, balance, pain reduction, and immune modulation. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of Pilates compared to conventional interventions in improving pain and functionality among individuals with cancer. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024540950). Studies comparing Pilates with other interventions in adults with cancer and assessing outcomes such as pain, quality of life, and strength were included. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases without language or date restrictions, using keywords including "Pilates," "Neoplasms," and "Cancer." Methodological quality was assessed using the MINORS and PEDro tools. The Pilates method demonstrated benefits in quality of life and the reduction of nocturia in patients with prostate cancer. Significant improvements were observed in shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, and physical well-being (FACT-B), along with increased aerobic capacity (6MWT). Although changes in fatigue, stress, sleep, and depression were not statistically significant, they showed positive trends. Additionally, pain (VAS, BPI) and disability (Constant-Murley) decreased in the groups that practiced Pilates. This systematic review shows that Pilates-based interventions can be as effective as other physical exercise modalities in improving quality of life and functional well-being in cancer patients, particularly in those with active breast cancer and in survivors.

El ambiente educacional refleja las condiciones a las que se somete un estudiante dentro de su proceso formativo; en etapas prácticas, dada la ausencia de aulas intermediarias y contextos tradicionales de formación, habitualmente se desestima cual es el impacto de un ambiente favorecedor, e inclusive, el propio cumplimiento de los estándares de aprendizajes asociados a cada programa de asignatura dentro del proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje. Esto ocurre aun cuando su análisis positivo refleje un listado indiscutible de beneficios que trascienden al contexto educativo y que incluso puede impactar esferas personales del desarrollo profesional. El objetivo de esta revisión bibliográfica fue documentar la última evidencia disponible que refleje los datos plausibles sobre el ambiente educativo en etapas prácticas, y evidenciar instrumentos que puedan dar cuenta de la percepción del ambiente clínico educativo para estudiantes de carreras sanitarias.