Julián Müller-Thyssen-Uriarte

The anatomy of the pelvis may obscure differences in pelvic tilt, potentially underestimating its correlation with clinical measures. Measuring the total sagittal range of pelvic movement can serve as a reliable indicator of pelvic function. This study assessed the inter- and intra-examiner reliability of the Kinovea^® version 0.9.5 and its agreement with the Qualisys System (3D motion capture) for measuring the total pelvic range of movement (ROM) in the sagittal plane, establishing Kinovea^®’s validity in standing and sitting positions with 45° of hip flexion. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 13 asymptomatic participants. Pelvic kinematics were recorded using both systems. Pelvic posture, anterior and posterior tilt, and total pelvic ROM in the sagittal plane were analyzed. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate reliability and validity. Additionally, the technical error of measurement (TEM), relative TEM, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated to establish Kinovea^®’s accuracy. Kinovea^® demonstrated excellent inter- and intra-examiner reliability for total pelvic ROM in standing and sitting measurements (ICC > 0.90), with relative TEM values below 10% and MDC values between 1.60°and 11.20°. Validity showed good-to-excellent ICC values when comparing Kinovea^® and the Qualisys System. This finding suggests that Kinovea^® is a valid tool for obtaining reproducible measurements of total pelvic ROM in the sagittal plane in standing and sitting positions, demonstrating excellent-to-good inter- and intra-examiner reliability for pelvic kinematics.

Neck pain can be associated with specific conditions, such as neurological disorders, vascular or inflammatory diseases, fractures, herniated discs, etc. However, the majority of neck pain cases cannot be attributed to a specific cause. The objective of this review is to describe the muscle dysfunctions associated with neck pain, as measured by electromyography, and to determine the effectiveness of dry needling in improving these muscular dysfunctions. The research was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Alcorze, and Google Scholar. The next conclusions have been extracted after the revision of the 65 selected manuscripts. The current scientific evidence supports electromyographic pathological findings in individuals with chronic neck pain, especially during general upper limb movement, repetitive work, violin playing, cervical force, and cervical movement tasks. Dry needling applied to an active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius can be suggested as an intervention to enhance the performance in the cranio-cervical flexion. Dry needling applied to latent myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius after typing tasks in healthy subjects resulted in decreased upper trapezius activity and fatigue in the short term. In women with trapezius myalgia, dry needling applied to the upper trapezius led to a lower increase in electromyography activity compared to no intervention.

Risk factors such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the development of chronic low back pain. Purpose: To describe how body mass index (BMI) influences the prevalence of chronic low back pain in the general Spanish population and assess this influence given other factors as sex, age, physical occupational demands, and recreational physical activity. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was performed based on secondary data from the European Health Survey in Spain (2020). Data on age, gender, physical occupational demands, physical activity, BMI, and presence of chronic low back pain were extracted. Results: A total of 19,716 (52.2% women) subjects with a median age of 53 years old were analyzed. Of these, 18.3% had chronic low back pain, 39% were overweight, and 16.1% were obese. The adjusted generalized linear model showed that being obese increased the odds of chronic low back pain by 1.719 times (p < 0.001). Being a woman increased the odds by 1.683 times (p < 0.001). Performing occupational tasks requiring high physical demands increased the odds by 1.403 times (p < 0.001). Performing physical activity in leisure time several times a week decreased the odds by 0.598 times (p < 0.001). For every additional year of age, the odds of chronic low back pain increased by 3.3% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Obesity is related with the presence of chronic low back pain in the general Spanish population. This association persists, being the more relevant factor, after adjusting the association of BMI and chronic low back pain with other factors such as sex, age, physical occupational demands, and recreational physical activity.

(1) Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Control of hyperglycaemia as well as surgical decompression are effective treatments for these patients. However, surgery is not indicated for all candidates. Manual therapy and physical exercise have been shown to be effective for peripheral neuropathies, and exercise for DM. The aim is to review the effectiveness of manual therapy and/or exercise in patients with DPN. (2) Methods: Randomised controlled clinical trials comparing the effects of manual therapy and/or exercise on pain, function and/or balance were selected. The search strategy was performed in PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science databases. The PRISMA statement was followed. (3) Results: A total of 656 articles were registered, and 29 were selected. There was little consensus on DPN criteria selection. Aerobic, strength and balance exercises are beneficial for DPN. Sessions of 30–60 min, three times per week for 8 weeks seems to be the most used dose. Manual therapy is effective in the short term. A combination of both modalities was more beneficial than alone in one study. (4) Conclusions: Exercise and manual therapy are beneficial for patients with DPN. More studies should be carried out for analysing the potential effect of combining manual therapy and exercise.