ObjectiveTo examine whether problematic smartphone use is associated with pain intensity, functional disability, emotional distress, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life in individuals with cervicogenic headache compared with healthy adults.DesignCase-control study.SettingOutpatient clinics of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology at a university hospital.ParticipantsA total of 158 adults, including 78 individuals diagnosed with cervicogenic headache and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.Main measuresSmartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form, Headache Impact Test-6, Neck Disability Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Jenkins Sleep Scale, and Short Form-12 Health Survey.ResultsIndividuals with cervicogenic headache reported significantly higher levels of smartphone-related behavioural problems, headache impact, neck-related disability, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance than healthy controls (all p < 0.05). Physical and mental health-related quality of life scores were significantly lower in the cervicogenic headache group. Problematic smartphone use was positively associated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.224) and poor sleep quality (r = 0.369), and negatively associated with mental health-related quality of life (r = -0.277). Neck-related disability (β = 0.327) and mental health-related quality of life (β = 0.551) were independent predictors of problematic smartphone use, explaining 31% of the variance.ConclusionsProblematic smartphone use is associated with greater symptom burden, emotional distress, sleep problems, and reduced quality of life in individuals with cervicogenic headache. Smartphone-related behavioural patterns may represent a modifiable factor to be considered within comprehensive rehabilitation and lifestyle-based management strategies.

ObjectiveThe Brain Injury associated Visual Impairment - Impact Questionnaire (BIVI-IQ) was developed to measure the impact of post-brain injury visual impairment. Communication and cognitive impairments are common brain injury sequelae and a barrier to completing standard patient reported outcome measures. The objective of this study was to develop and refine an easy-read version in order to meet recommendations to promote self-reporting.DesignEasy-read version development involved stakeholder input at several meetings. An iterative refinement process was used, involving a cognitive interview, until no new issues were identified.ParticipantsStroke survivors with visual impairment and/or aphasia and relevant healthcare professional were involved in the development stage. The clinical study recruited 12 stroke survivors with visual impairment.Main measuresParticipants completed the easy-read and standard versions. The researcher documented observations and time taken. Analysis assessed association and agreement between the two versions.ResultsDevelopment considered the structure, image selection and key words. Four iterations were used before five consecutive participants reported no new issues. Image amendments involved replacing four, revising four and adding three across eight of the 13 items. A preference for the easy-read version was reported by 45.5% completing both questionnaires (n = 11). A significant, strong positive correlation was found between the easy-read and standard version total scores. Weighted Kappa found significant agreement between 12 items.ConclusionsThe easy-read version, using images to support the question wording, will increase accessibility for brain injury survivors with communication and/or cognitive difficulties. It is acceptable and further evaluation of this version is now required.

ObjectiveTrismus is a common and debilitating complication following head and neck cancer treatment, with significant consequences for quality of life, nutrition and oral function. Although several rehabilitation strategies have been proposed, their design and effectiveness remain poorly systematized. This review aimed to summarize evidence from randomized controlled trials on rehabilitation interventions for treatment-induced trismus in HNC.Data sourcesA scoping review was performed using PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE, covering publications up to May 2025.Review methodsWe included randomized controlled trials in English or Spanish evaluating any rehabilitation intervention in adults with trismus following HNC treatment. One author conducted the search, and two authors independently screened articles for inclusion.ResultsFrom 2215 records identified, 25 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Twelve investigated preventions during or shortly after cancer treatment, while 13 addressed established trismus. Most interventions were based on exercise therapy, delivered in hospitals, private clinics or at home. Only a minority incorporated manual therapy or physical agents. Devices such as TheraBite or JawTrainer were evaluated in several studies. While most trials reported improvements in maximal mouth opening, few assessed condition-specific patient-reported outcomes. Rehabilitation interventions were predominantly implemented by physiotherapists.ConclusionExercise therapy, often combined with devices, is the most frequently studied approach for treatment-induced trismus. Evidence for manual therapy and physical modalities remains limited. Considerable heterogeneity across studies hinders comparison and replication, underlining the need for standardized protocols and outcomes in future trials.

ObjectiveTo systematically appraise motion capture technologies used for clinical assessment of upper limb function in adults post stroke, focusing on applicability, strengths, limitations, and research gaps.Data SourcesA systematic scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and IEEE Xplore were searched for studies published between January 2014 and December 2025.Review MethodsEligible studies quantitatively evaluated motion capture systems in adult stroke populations. Data extracted included technology type, technical specifications, outcomes, and reported strengths and limitations.ResultsFrom 3217 screened studies, 204 were included. Inertial measurement units were most common (71) followed by markerless optical motion capture (43), electromyography (39), marker-based optical motion capture (33), fusion systems (10), and smart devices (8). Marker-based systems provided high precision but were costly and complex. Markerless systems reduced setup requirements and supported clinical use but were prone to tracking errors. Inertial measurement units enabled portable monitoring, though accuracy decreased for slow or fine movements. Electromyography offered insights into neuromuscular activity but was expensive and sensitive to placement. Fusion systems allowed multidimensional assessment but were resource intensive. Smart devices provided accessible options but lacked precision. Most studies focused on chronic stroke, with limited evaluation in acute or home contexts. Reporting of stroke severity was inconsistent, and protocols were rarely standardised.ConclusionMotion capture technologies show promise for upper limb assessment after stroke but face challenges of cost, accessibility, and standardisation. Research in acute and home settings, along with predictive modelling, is needed to support clinical translation.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of acquiring a power-assist device on participation.DesignProspective multicenter cohort study.SettingThree physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient centers.ParticipantsEighteen individuals with neurological impairments who primarily use manual wheelchairs for mobility.InterventionParticipants were followed throughout the process of acquiring a power-assisted mobility device, with assessments conducted at delivery, 3 months, and 6 months post-acquisition.Main outcome measuresParticipation (Wheelchair Outcome Measure), shoulder pain (Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index), wheelchair skills (Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire), and satisfaction with the device (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology). Evaluations were performed at baseline (pre-acquisition), delivery, and at 3 and 6 months.ResultsThirty-six participants were enrolled. Eighteen did not complete the study mostly due to funding difficulties and 18 completed the acquisition. Participation significantly increased, with WHOM scores rising from 19.33 ± 15.02 at baseline to 36.55 ± 17.06 at 3 months (p = 0.0001). WST-Q scores improved from 21.1 [19.9-23.7] at baseline to 25.2 [23.6-27.6] at 6 months (p = 0.0001). Although the overall WUSPI score did not change significantly, the mobility sub-score improved from 4.5 [0-9.2] at baseline to 0 [0-0] at 6 months (p = 0.03). Satisfaction with the device remained stable over time, with a consistent QUEST score of 3.3.ConclusionThe acquisition of a power-assist device may enhance participation, wheelchair skills, and reduce mobility-related shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users. Further comparative studies are needed to confirm these findings.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus different types of exercise or no exercise on peak oxygen consumption, muscle strength, health-related quality of life, and cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Data SourcesWe searched in EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and SciELO for randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of HIIT in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Review MethodsStudy quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence. We calculated mean differences, standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsSixty-two studies (2204 participants) were included. Compared to control, HIIT increased peak oxygen consumption by 4.56 mL·kg-1·min-1 (95% confidence interval 3.54 to 5.58) and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin by 0.70% (95% confidence interval -0.88 to -0.51). Improvements were also observed in insulin resistance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile, body mass index, and fat mass. When compared with moderate-intensity continuous training, HIIT improved peak oxygen consumption (1.30 mL·kg-1·min-1; 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 2.43) and glycosylated hemoglobin (-0.12%; 95% confidence interval -0.24 to -0.01).ConclusionsHigh-intensity interval training improves peak oxygen consumption, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and various cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

ObjectiveTo summarise the evidence for changes in physical activity outcomes during robot-assisted gait training in patients with spinal cord injury.Data sourcesThe Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Central, Medline, Scopus and SportDiscus databases were searched in August 2025 for studies that recorded ≥1 physical activity outcome during robot-assisted gait training.Review methodsData were synthesised according to the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale or the Revised Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomised Studies. Certainty of evidence was established following the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework. The report followed the Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.ResultsThirty studies (638 participants) were eligible for inclusion. Quality of the randomised studies ranged from 'Fair' to 'Good', while there was high risk of bias for all non-randomised studies in ≥1 domain. Robot-assisted gait training significantly improved physical activity outcomes (up time, walk time, walk distance, walk speed and number of steps) over time, though these findings were constrained by very low certainty of evidence.ConclusionUp time, walk time, walk distance, walk speed, and number of steps were significantly improved across the robot-assisted gait training period for patients with spinal cord injury. Robot-assisted gait training during rehabilitation for people following spinal cord injury is a useful adjunct to support independence and improved walking ability.

ObjectiveTo generate a clinical roadmap for managing lateropulsion after supratentorial stroke which integrates theory and practice using a realist review strategy.Data SourcesMedline Complete, CINAHL Complete, PEDro, Academic Search Complete, Health and Psychosocial Instruments, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Embase were searched until December 2025.Review MethodsTwo searches included review and non-review articles about people with contralesional lateropulsion after supratentorial stroke. We excluded articles about people with ipsilesional lateropulsion resulting from brainstem or cerebellar stroke and non-English articles. Guided by Realist and Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards, pairs of authors independently screened titles and abstracts, determining final lists by consensus. Pairs of authors independently extracted data, ranked levels of evidence, and collaborated to synthesise findings following the context-mechanism-outcome configuration of realist reviews. All authors used this foundation to generate the Lateropulsion Clinical Roadmap and clinical recommendations.ResultsThe review article search yielded four systematic reviews and one scoping review (of 19 screened). The non-review article search yielded 39 articles (of 167 screened), categorised as neuroimaging, epidemiology, assessment and intervention. Clinical recommendations and a Lateropulsion Clinical Roadmap integrated this information.ConclusionA Lateropulsion Clinical Roadmap integrated theory with neuroimaging, epidemiology, assessment and interventions based upon a realist review. Thorough assessment of severity of lateropulsion and neurological impairments should guide clinical decisions about how to leverage sensorimotor systems while considering task difficulty and environment during interventions for lateropulsion. A new hypothesis linking patient presentation with interventions directed at improving sensorimotor performance of the paretic extremities requires further study.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of tailored circuit training associated with patient education versus patient education alone in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Design: randomised controlled parallel-group feasibility study. Setting: one centre. Participants: 30 participants with a clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis and a primary symptom of knee pain (≥4). Interventions: The participants were randomly allocated to two groups for the 14-week intervention. The experimental group performed exercises three times a week and had an individualised progression of exercise duration and intensity. Both groups participated in an educational programme with health professionals. Main measures: feasibility and acceptability rates. Physical performance tests, muscle strength, quantitative sensory testing, and self-administered questionnaires were used to assess the impact of the interventions. Results: The rates of recruitment (2.73 participants/week), eligibility (31.50%), long-term retention (80% at 14 weeks and 73% at 26 weeks), and adherence to educational sessions (80% attended most lectures) were adequate, whereas the adherence to the exercise programme (60% completion of exercise sessions) was partially adequate. Acceptability and perceived usefulness were high in both groups, and the main barriers were related to accessing programmes via the Internet. Changes in physical performance tests, muscle strength, quantitative sensory testing, and self-administered questionnaires for both groups have been reported. Conclusion: This study demonstrated good feasibility and acceptability rates. The results will guide strategies to improve adherence and retention in clinical trials.

ObjectiveTo explore the perceptions and experiences of stroke survivors with pain regarding the use of mind-body therapies.DesignQualitative.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsFifteen Australian stroke survivors with pain; 11 women and four men, aged 28-84 years, and 5 months to 24 years post-stroke.Main MeasuresSemi-structured, one-to-one qualitative interviews, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes described participants' perceptions and experiences of mind-body therapies. Theme 1 detailed our stroke survivors' determination to improve, openness to mind-body therapies and desire to have these therapies provided in rehabilitation. Theme 2 collated suggestions and reasons for individualising/tailoring mind-body therapy use, including having a range of formats/modes available. Theme 3 described reported benefits of mind-body therapies for pain post-stroke, while Theme 4 summarised perceived benefits for pain-related biopsychosocial wellbeing.ConclusionsPeople with pain post-stroke are open to using mind-body therapies when ready/able in order to improve ongoing post-stroke symptoms. If used, healthcare professionals should tailor mind-body therapy format and delivery to individual stroke survivors' needs and preferences to maximise treatment benefits, which stroke survivors with pain report to include improved pain management and physical and psychosocial functioning.