Purpose This study examined the effects of a single 70-minute pain neurophysiology education (PNE) session on Turkish physiotherapy students’ pain-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. This specific duration was chosen to align with successful single-session PNE interventions reported in the literature, maximising feasibility and clinical relevance within curriculum constraints. Methods A total of 48 physiotherapy students (mean age: 20.56 ± 1.25 years) were included in the study. Students were randomly assigned to either the PNE (n = 24) or the control group (n = 24). The PNE group received a PNE lecture, while the control group received a case vignette lecture. To ensure pedagogical equivalence, both the PNE lecture and the case vignette lecture on non-specific low back pain were standardised and administered as a 70-minute didactic group session. The control lecture specifically focused on clinical presentation without discussing pain neurophysiology or the biopsychosocial model. The following outcome measures were collected from all students before, immediately after, and 3 months after both lectures: the Turkish version of the Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (RNPQ-TR) and the Turkish version of the Health Care Pain Attitudes and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS-TR). Results There were no significant differences in students’ baseline characteristics between the PNE and control groups (p > 0.05). The two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated significant interactions for RNPQ-TR (G × T: p < 0.01, F = 8.67, ηp2=0.15) and HC-PAIRS-TR total scores (G × T: p < 0.01, F = 16.28, ηp2=0.26). Accordingly, the PNE group demonstrated significant improvements in both the RNPQ-TR and HC-PAIRS-TR total scores pre- to immediately post-lecture compared to the control group. Additionally, these improvements in both scores were maintained at the 3-month post-lecture follow-up. Conclusions A 70-minute PNE improved physiotherapy students’ pain neurophysiology knowledge and positively influenced their pain-related attitudes and beliefs in both the short- and medium-term.

Background Achilles tendinopathy is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition characterised by pain, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) are critical for assessement. Although VISA-A is widely used, concerns have been raised regarding its content and structural validity. The TENDINS-A questionnaire was recently developed to address these limitations and provide a more comprehensive evaluation of Achilles Tendinopathy severity. Aim To translate, culturally adapt and validate the Greek version of TENDINS-A according to international COSMIN guidelines. Methods The process included forward–backward translation, expert panel review, and pilot testing in 15 patients and 15 physiotherapists. Seventy-two Greek-speaking participants with clinically diagnosed Achilles Tendinopathy completed TENDINS-A and VISA-A. Content validity was assessed through patient and expert ratings. Structural validity was examined with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Hypothesis testing (construct validity) was evaluated using hypotheses regarding the expected correlations between TENDINS-A and VISA-A, while reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and test–retest analysis. Ceiling and floor effects were also explored. Results CFA confirmed the three-factor structure (CFI = 0.961, TLI = 0.945). Hypothesis testing was supported by a significant correlation with VISA-A (r = −0.299, p = 0.014). Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s α = 0.753), and test–retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.88–0.98). No ceiling or floor effects were detected. Conclusion The Greek version of TENDINS-A is a valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate patient-reported outcome measure for Achilles Tendinopathy. Its use can enhance standardised evaluation in both clinical practice and research.

High perceived stress is associated with increased pain intensity in patients with chronic pain. Stressful experiences can alter pain perception and cause stress-induced hyperalgesia. While the relationship between stress, pain, lifestyle, and sleep represents a complex network of interactions, limited studies have investigated these interactions in young populations. Four validated questionnaires were used to assess sleep, physical activity, lifestyle, and stress: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA), Fantastic Lifestyle Checklist (FLC), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Additional information about pain and mental illnesses was obtained. The respondents were grouped based on their PSS scores into high, moderate, and low stress. A total of 126 respondents were included for analysis. High-stress respondents had significantly lower FLC scores (p < 0.001), poorer PSQI scores (p < 0.001), and were more likely to report mental health diagnoses (p < 0.05) compared to low- and moderate-stress respondents. They also reported higher pain intensities (p < 0.01) and higher multisite pain occurrence (p < 0.001) compared to respondents with low stress. Lastly, 27.2% of the variability in pain intensities was explained by diet, physical activity level, and stress. High perceived stress has significant negative impacts on psychophysical health and pain, with poorer lifestyle, poor quality of sleep, multisite pain, and increased pain intensities. This highlights the potential benefits of addressing lifestyle factors concomitantly when managing chronic pain.

Introduction Spinal pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide, yet care pathways often remain fragmented despite international recommendations for integrated management. In Denmark, individuals with spinal pain may be referred to secondary care spine centres for specialised assessment. Objectives To examine patterns and determinants of chiropractic, physiotherapy, and municipal rehabilitation service use before and after secondary care assessment for spinal pain in Denmark. Methods We conducted a registry-based cohort study of 48,607 adults assessed at the Spine Centre of Southern Denmark (2016–2021), linking clinical registry data with national health, education, income, and social benefit registries. Healthcare utilisation one year before and after assessment was analysed using Poisson regression to estimate adjusted relative risks (RRs) for continued or new chiropractic and/or physiotherapy use, stratified by municipal rehabilitation referral and adjusted for sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors. Results Previous chiropractic (RR = 4.79, 95% CI 4.52–5.08) and physiotherapy (RR = 2.42, 95% CI 2.31–2.52) use were strongly associated with continued care. Initiation after secondary care was limited (8% chiropractic; 18% physiotherapy), and 37% had no recorded post-assessment care. This proportion corresponds to 17,984 of the 48,607 included patients who had no registered physiotherapy or chiropractic consultations at any point during the 12 months following their secondary care assessment. Lower use was associated with lower socioeconomic status, longer symptom duration, and higher disability. Municipal rehabilitation referral was linked to lower new care initiation but slightly higher continuation rates. Conclusion Care continuity after secondary spine centre assessment is primarily associated with previous use and socioeconomic factors and varies by municipal rehabilitation referral. Structural and financial barriers may hinder equitable access to recommended conservative care.

Purpose This study explores the representation of socio-demographic characteristics and social determinants of health (SDOH) within teaching cases in a professional Master of Physical Therapy program, assessing their potential to promote the development of effective approaches to equity-focused physical therapy care among students. Methods Using an intersectionality framework and the SDOH model, 74 teaching cases from a Canadian Master of Science in Physical Therapy program were systematically analysed. Cases were evaluated for explicit inclusion of socio-demographic characteristics (e.g. race, gender identity, sexual orientation) and SDOH elements (e.g. income, social support, physical environment). Data were summarised to identify patterns and frequencies using summary statistics. Results The analysis revealed significant gaps: race was mentioned in only 9.45% of cases, gender identity in 2.70%, Indigenous identities in 1.35%, and sexual orientation was absent. Socio-economic status (56.75%) and sex (66.21%) were more frequently included. Among SDOH, personal health practices (78.37%) and physical environment (70.27%) were commonly referenced, whereas culture (2.70%) and gender (18.91%) were underrepresented. Many cases prioritised clinical details over structural barriers, limiting opportunities to develop structural competence. Conclusion Teaching cases inadequately represent key socio-demographic and SDOH factors, undermining their potential to foster equity-oriented clinical reasoning and structural competence. The study recommends standardised, equity-focused case frameworks to strengthen anti-oppressive education.

Background Post-stroke pain is common, yet under-treated and individuals may benefit from mind-body therapies. Physiotherapists’ and educators’ perceptions about the physiotherapist’s role/scope of practice in providing mind-body therapies for this cohort are unknown. We aimed to explore physiotherapists’ and physiotherapy educators’ perceptions of the profession’s role/scope of practice in providing mind-body therapies for people with pain post-stroke, as well as physiotherapists’ perceptions of implementation barriers and enablers. Method Australian physiotherapists (working with stroke survivors) and physiotherapy educators each answered an open-text question about the role of physiotherapists in providing mind-body therapies for people with pain post-stroke. Additionally, physiotherapists selected barriers and enablers to mind-body therapy use. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Results Physiotherapists’ (n = 91) and physiotherapy educators’ (n = 18) responses were collated into the following categories: (1) delivery of mind-body therapies, (2) knowledge, and (3) logistics. Educator responses also provided perspectives about mind-body therapies being beneficial and under-utilised. Physiotherapists selected a lack of training/education, knowledge, and skills/competence as the most frequently reported barriers to using mind-body therapies. Conclusion Both participant groups indicated that physiotherapists have a direct or assistive role in providing mind-body therapies for people with pain post-stroke. They also acknowledged the need for training/education and more scientific evidence to support best-practice biopsychosocial care. Physiotherapists’ skills/competency, remaining patient-centred, and the feasibility of providing mind-body therapies within certain settings/organisations were additional areas raised. Entry-level and post-graduate training/education backed by scientific evidence, with ongoing clinical mentoring, are needed to embed mind-body therapies within contemporary physiotherapy practice.