ABSTRACT Introduction This scoping review sought to characterize how serious games are used to support motor rehabilitation in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases by identifying (1) the range of target populations, interventions, and study procedures in research involving serious games for motor rehabilitation in neurodegeneration and (2) the range and types of serious games reported in this literature. Material and methods A scoping review was conducted across three databases (final search in September 2025) to identify literature addressing (a) serious games/gamification, (b) neurodegenerative diseases, and (c) motor rehabilitation. This review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. For both the initial and updated searches, as well as duplicate removal, two blinded reviewers screened titles and abstracts in Covidence, followed by full-text review. All conflicts were resolved via consensus meetings. Results Notably, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria, with the majority involving participants with Parkinson’s disease ( n = 17/28, 60.7%). Rehabilitation targets most commonly fell within the physical therapy discipline ( n = 15/28, 53.6%) and least commonly within speech-language pathology ( n = 4/28, 14.3%), including gross, fine, voice/speech, and swallowing motor skills. Over half of the studies ( n = 16/28, 57.1%) reported motor skill improvements following game-based interventions, with treatment intensity and feedback influencing outcomes. Conclusions Research on game-based motor rehabilitation is growing, yet the evidence remains preliminary, heterogeneous, and limited in generalizability. Most studies focus on Parkinson’s disease, with emerging work in multiple sclerosis, highlighting the need for further research on effectiveness, implementation, and long-term outcomes (e.g., quality of life and adherence).
Abstract Introduction This study investigated how physiotherapists’ pain treatment orientations (biopsychosocial or biomedical) influence visual postural assessment of individuals with neck pain, using eye-tracking analysis. Material and methods Physiotherapists ( n = 30) completed the pain attitudes and beliefs scale and were categorised as predominantly ‘biomedical’ or ‘biopsychosocial’ based on the higher score percentage of the subscales. Eye-tracking data were collected while physiotherapists conducted visual postural assessment of participants with ( n = 30) and without ( n = 30) neck pain. Results Physiotherapists with a biopsychosocial orientation exhibited (mean [95%CI]) fewer fixation counts in lateral (−2.29 [−3.80; −0.78] n) and posterior views (−5.84 [−7.62; −4.06] n), lower saccade counts in the posterior view (−4.51 [−6.46; −2.56] n) and shorter mean first-time passage on all transitions (ranging from −4.08 [−6.28; −1.88] to −14.09 [−18.64; −9.54] n) than those with a biomedical orientation. However, they demonstrated longer average fixation durations in all views (anterior: 0.02 [0.01; 0.03] seconds, lateral 0.04 [0.02; 0.05] seconds) and posterior 0.04 [0.03; 0.06] seconds). Almost all transition probabilities differed across physiotherapist groups, with specific positive or negative effects observed across transitions. Mean recurrent time was also lower in physiotherapists with Biopsychosocial orientation (−0.30 [−0.53; −0.08] events). Conclusions Biopsychosocial-oriented physiotherapists exhibited more dynamic eye-movement patterns, with faster view transitions and shorter recurrence times, potentially indicating a more holistic approach to postural assessment. Attitudes and beliefs toward pain treatment orientation of physiotherapists, but not the presence of neck pain in patients, significantly influence their visual postural assessment.
Abstract Introduction Regular physical activity is critical in maintaining or restoring gut microbiota equilibrium, potentially ameliorating gut dysbiosis (GD) associated with obesity. Our objective is to evaluate and compare the impacts of moderate-intensity interval training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on GD and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Materials and methods Sixty-six participants diagnosed with IBS of both sexes with a body mass index (BMI) of 30–34.9 kg/m 2 , 30–39 years, prediabetic status and a sedentary lifestyle were randomly and equally assigned into groups A (MICT + low FODMAP diet [LFD]), B (HIIT + LFD) and C (control; LFD only). The intervention lasted for 12 weeks, and training was performed on a treadmill. All groups underwent pre- and post-treatment assessments measuring serum GLP-1 concentrations, faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), IBS symptom severity (IBS severity scoring system [IBSSS]), quality of life (IBS-QoL questionnaire) and anthropometric parameters, including weight and height. Results Significant improvements in BMI, SCFA levels (acetate, propionate and butyrate), IBSSS and IBS-QoL scores (for all p < 0.001) were observed in Group A. In contrast, Group B exhibited significant increases in GLP-1 levels compared to the other groups ( p < 0.001). Conclusions Both MICT and HIIT, when combined with an LFD, confer distinct benefits in managing IBS. MICT demonstrated superior effects on reducing BMI, improving SCFA profiles and alleviating symptom severity, while HIIT was more effective in enhancing GLP-1 secretion. These findings support the use of tailored exercise interventions based on individual therapeutic goals in IBS management.
Abstract Introduction Urinary incontinence (UI), characterised by the involuntary discharge of urine, is an escalating health issue, especially common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with prevalence rates ranging from 34.9% to 49.6%. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) versus Pilates exercises in enhancing UI, cough symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with COPD. Material and methods Sixty patients aged 50 years and above with COPD-related UI were randomly allocated to two intervention groups: Group A ( n = 30) underwent PFMT, whereas Group B ( n = 30) engaged in Pilates. Both therapies were conducted triweekly for 12 weeks. The outcome measurements comprised the 1-hour and 24-hour pad tests, incontinence severity index (ISI), cough symptom score (CSS) and the incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL). Results Both groups exhibited substantial enhancements following the intervention ( p < 0.001). Group B exhibited more significant decreases in urine leakage – 80.16% in the 1-hour pad test and 66.51% in the 24-hour test – relative to Group A. Group B demonstrated greater reductions in ISI (63.23%) and CSS (74.06%), as well as significant enhancements in cough-related symptoms (296.57%) and I-QOL scores (65.65%). Conclusions Twelve weeks of either PFMT or Pilates significantly enhanced UI and QoL in patients with COPD. Nonetheless, Pilates demonstrated more advantages, suggesting its superior therapeutic efficacy in addressing UI and associated symptoms in this demographic.
Abstract Chronic knee pain is a common source of disability, affecting approximately 20%–40% of adults. Conservative management, particularly physical therapy, is the gold standard for treating generalised knee pain (GKP) and patellofemoral pain (PFP). Current clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) recommend interventions that improve strength and neuromuscular control to treat PFP, but evidence examining visual feedback (VF) is lacking. This scoping review aims to evaluate the impact of VF during closed kinetic chain exercises on pain and biomechanics in individuals with GKP or PFP. A comprehensive search was conducted across six databases for clinical trials published between 2009 and 2024. Eligible studies included adults aged 18–65 years with GKP or PFP, using visual or augmented feedback during closed chain exercises. Outcomes for pain and biomechanical changes were extracted and presented in narrative form. VF was found to reduce joint forces during squatting in subjects with PFP. Changes in joint angles while squatting with VF were inconsistent across two studies. Motor control combined with strengthening showed no clinical improvements except a small decrease in trunk lean. VF showed significant changes in muscle activation for the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles. The limited and inconsistent evidence prevents clear conclusions. Current evidence for VF does suggest changes in joint angles, forces, muscle activity and function. However, more rigorous studies are needed to guide clinical use and confirm the effects of VF when managing knee pain.
Abstract Introduction Sleep disorders and chronic low back pain (CLBP) are prevalent conditions in older adults and can coexist in a bidirectional relationship. The aim was to investigate the associations between the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep quality with pain intensity and functional disability, and to estimate the prevalence of sleep complaints in older adults with CLBP. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study involving older adults with CLBP aged 60 years and above from primary care was conducted. Data collected included OSA risk (Berlin Questionnaire), excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), pain intensity (Numerical Pain Rating Scale), functional disability (Roland–Morris Questionnaire) and sleep complaints (Sleep Complaints Questionnaire). We performed descriptive analyses and ran six univariate and multivariable linear regression models (adjusted for potential confounders). Results Sleep quality was associated with disability, even after adjusting for confounders (0.25 [CI 95%: 0.07–0.43]). Sleep quality was also significantly associated with pain intensity (0.28 [CI 95%: 0.09–0.47]) in univariate analysis. The risk of OSA was associated with pain intensity (0.30 [CI 95%: 0.16–0.72]) and functional disability (0.33 [CI 95%: 0.20–0.75]), but only in univariate analysis. Excessive daytime sleepiness and pain intensity were negatively associated in a multivariable analysis (−0.21 [CI 95%: −0.42, to 0.01]). A prevalence of at least one sleep complaint was found in 96% of participants. Conclusions Poor sleep quality was associated with disability, and pain intensity appeared to worsen sleep. Routine screening and interventions for sleep problems could help reduce pain, disability and healthcare burden.
Abstract Context-based interventions (CBIs) have gained increasing relevance in paediatric rehabilitation, as they aim to improve activity and participation by modifying environmental factors that affect functionality in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This review aims to synthesise and present the available evidence on CBIs designed to enhance activity and participation in children with CP. A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A protocol was registered in the open science framework (OSF: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ZBNYV ). A systematic search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), and EBSCO databases between 2014 and 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on intervention studies targeting children with CP (0–13 years) and measuring activity and/or participation. A total of 8367 records were identified; 14 studies were included after screening. Fourteen papers were included, the selected studies addressed home-based interventions involving caregivers and technologies such as exergaming, telerehabilitation, and virtual reality. These strategies showed positive effects on gross motor function, participation, and goal attainment. Although all interventions showed promising results, methodological variability limited direct comparisons. Most studies used tools such as gross motor function measure (GMFM), Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM), paediatric evaluation of disability inventory (PEDI), and goal attainment scale (GAS) to measure outcomes. Contextual interventions were feasible, family-centred, and low-cost, but often required ongoing professional support. CBIs offer a promising approach to enhance activity and participation in children with CP. Their integration into rehabilitation programs may optimise resource use and promote inclusion. Further research is needed to standardise protocols and evaluate long-term effectiveness.
