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Background/Objectives: Physiotherapists face significant challenges in managing chronic pain; a complex condition best addressed through a biopsychosocial (BPS) approach. Although substantial evidence exists globally, research specific to Spain remains limited. This study explores the experiences and challenges Spanish physiotherapists encounter in integrating BPS elements across public and private healthcare settings. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 12 experienced physiotherapists were conducted, using a qualitative approach with purposive sampling and reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis, grounded in a constructivist/interpretivist framework, allowed themes to emerge naturally from the data, supported by relevant quotes. Results: Three primary themes were identified: (1) challenges in implementing the BPS approach, including patient resistance and limited training; (2) facilitators for adopting the BPS model, such as multidisciplinary support and positive patient outcomes; and (3) emotional and psychological aspects of the physiotherapists. The findings highlight the complexities of chronic pain management in physiotherapy, emphasizing the need for enhanced psychological training, integrated multidisciplinary care, early diagnosis, and effective family involvement. These insights are critical for improving both patient care and physiotherapist well-being. Conclusions: This study provides valuable guidance for future strategies, focusing on educational enhancements, multidisciplinary collaboration, healthcare policy reform, and emotional support for physiotherapists within the Spanish healthcare context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated Spanish physiotherapists' orientations toward biopsychosocial and biomedical approaches in chronic pain management through a cross-sectional survey of 447 registered professionals. Validated questionnaires assessed knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) identified influential factors and ordinal regression determined the frequency of biopsychosocial application. Content analysis of open-ended responses explored barriers to biopsychosocial implementation. Over 50% of physiotherapists favored the biopsychosocial model, influenced by interdisciplinary work settings, advanced pain knowledge, and specific training. Comprehensive pain knowledge significantly impacted both biomedical and biopsychosocial orientations inversely. The biomedical approach was more prevalent among those with lower education levels and less pain knowledge, particularly at the beginning or over 20 years into their careers. Despite the theoretical preference for biopsychosocial among Spanish physiotherapists, practical application was infrequent, with only 9.8% always using it and 40.7% frequently. Self-reported confidence and skills were crucial determinants of biopsychosocial implementation frequency. Significant barriers included inadequate psychological skills (63.6%), coordination challenges (47.6%), time constraints (43.6%), patient misconceptions (34.2%), and systemic issues. These findings align with international research, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. Addressing these challenges through targeted training and systemic reforms is crucial for improving chronic pain management globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse the effectiveness of exercise therapy in improving pain and active or passive maximum mouth opening in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Data sources: PubMed Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL Complete and Physiotherapy Evidence Database, until April 2022, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Review methods: We included randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of exercise therapy on pain and on active and passive maximum mouth opening in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Effect size was calculated using Cohen's standardized mean difference (SMD) and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) in a random-effects model. Results: A total of 16 studies with 812 participants were included. Exercise therapy is effective in reducing pain (SMD: −0.58; 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.12) and increasing the pain pressure threshold (SMD: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.14–0.76), active and passive maximum mouth opening (SMD: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.14–0.71 and SMD: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.06–0.75, respectively). Subgroup analyses showed more effect of exercise therapy more splints versus splints on pain (SMD: −0.5; 95% CI: −0.73 to −0.26), active and passive maximum mouth opening (SMD: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.22–2.07 and SMD: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.06–1.06, respectively). On pain pressure threshold, exercise therapy was better than physiotherapy approach (manual therapy and electrotherapy) (SMD: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.09–0.87). Conclusions: Therapeutic exercise is an effective therapy to reduce pain and increase pain pressure threshold and active and passive maximum mouth opening in patients with temporomandibular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aibar-Almazán, A, Martínez-Amat, A, Cruz-Díaz, D, Jesús de la Torre-Cruz, M, Jiménez-García, JD, Zagalaz-Anula, N, Redecillas-Peiró, MT, Mendoza-Ladrón de Guevara, N, and Hita-Contreras, F. The influence of Pilates exercises on body composition, muscle strength, and gait speed in community-dwelling older women: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2298–2305, 2022—Population aging is a global phenomenon that has wide-ranging consequences for the health of individuals, including age-related obesity, muscle loss, and a decline in muscle strength and gait speed. These alterations are associated with disability, functional decline, and mortality in older adults. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of Pilates exercises on body composition, handgrip strength, and physical performance among community-dwelling Spanish women aged 60 and older. A randomized controlled trial of a 12-week Pilates training program was conducted. A total of 109 women were randomly allocated to either a control (n = 54) or a Pilates (n = 55) group. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance. Body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, and height-adjusted skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were assessed before and immediately after the intervention, as were physical performance, estimated by gait speed (timed up-and-go test), and handgrip strength. Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) were observed both within and between groups for handgrip strength (Cohen's d = 0.40 and 0.52 respectively) and gait speed (Cohen's d = 0.86 and 0.87 respectively). After 12 weeks, BMI significantly decreased (Cohen's d = 0.07) only in the Pilates group. No significant differences were observed regarding SMI. In conclusion, a 12-week Pilates exercise intervention on community dwelling women over 60 years old shows beneficial effects on muscle strength, physical performance, and BMI, but failed to induce any changes on body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to analyze the efficacy of Corrective exercise-based therapy in the improvement of deformity and quality of life in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Data sources: PubMed Medline, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), Physiotherapy Evidence Database, CINAHL Complete and SciELO, until June 2021. Review methods: Randomized controlled trials was selected, including participants diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, in which the experimental group received Corrective exercise-based therapy. Two authors independently searched the scientific literature in the data sources, extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. A pairwise meta-analysis using the random-effects model was performed. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials providing data from 279 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients were included. Seven randomized controlled trials including 236 patients showed moderate-quality evidence for a medium effect (SMD = −0.52, 95% CI −0.96 to −0.1), favoring corrective exercise-based therapy for spinal deformity reduction. Corrective exercise-based therapy was better than no intervention (SMD = −0.59, 95% CI −1.18 to −0.01) but similar to other intervention (SMD = −0.2, 95% CI −0.67 to 0.27), and a medium effect was found (SMD = −0.51, 95% CI −0.89 to −0.13) when corrective exercise-based therapy was used with other therapies. Four studies including 151 patients showed low-quality evidence of a large effect of Corrective exercise-based therapy on Scoliosis Research Society measurement (SRS-22) total score improvement (SMD = 1.16, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.95). Conclusion: In mild and moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients, corrective exercise-based therapy could be used to reduce spinal deformity and to improve quality of life as isolated treatment or as coadjuvant treatment combined with other therapeutic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]