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Background: Haemophilic ankle arthropathy is characterized by chronic pain, loss of strength and proprioception, decreased range of motion (ROM) and impaired functionality., Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a manual therapy protocol based on joint and myofascial techniques in patients with haemophilic ankle arthropathy., Methods: A randomized, single-blind pilot study. Twenty-four patients with haemophilia were randomized to the experimental (manual therapy) and control (no intervention) groups. The intervention lasted for 3 weeks, with one 50-min weekly session. Techniques used: active-passive joint mobilization, articulatory technique, joint decompression and high-speed and short-stroke manipulation, and sustained myofascial induction techniques. The study variables were safety of the intervention (number of hemarthroses), joint pain intensity (visual analogue scale), pressure pain threshold (pressure algometer), range of ankle motion (Leg Motion) and joint condition (Haemophilia Joint Health Score)., Results: None of the patients developed ankle hemarthrosis during the intervention. After the intervention there were intergroup differences in the variables pain intensity (MD = -0.45; p < 0.001), ROM (MD = 0.19; p = 0.003), joint condition (MD = 0.04; p = 0.03) and pressure pain threshold in the internal malleolus (MD = 1.36; p = 0.01). For the interaction time*group after the follow-up period, there were statistically significant differences in pain intensity (F = 6.94; p = 0.01) and dorsal flexion (F = 3.36; p = 0.04) of the ankle., Conclusions: Manual therapy based on joint and myofascial techniques is safe in haemophilia patients. A protocol implementing joint and myofascial techniques having the dosage and safety parameters established in this study can improve the intensity of pain and dorsal flexion of the ankle in these patients., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05549843., (© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Patients with haemophilic arthropathy suffer chronic pain that affects and restricts their quality of life. Visualization of movement through immersive virtual reality is used for pain management., Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of 180-degree immersive VR motion visualization therapy in patients with haemophilic ankle arthropathy., Methods: Prospective, multicentre pilot study. Fifteen adult patients with bilateral haemophilic ankle arthropathy were recruited (mean age: 42.73 ± 12.36 years). The intervention lasted 4 weeks, with daily home sessions of 180-degree immersive motion visualization. The patients were given virtual reality glasses to use with their smartphones. From the YouTube mobile app® they accessed the recorded video with access from the He-Mirror App®. The study variables were joint state (Haemophilia Joint Health Score), pressure pain threshold (pressure algometer), muscle strength (dynamometry) and range of motion (goniometry). Three evaluations were performed: at baseline (T0), after the intervention (T1) and at the end of a 16-week follow-up period (T2)., Results: No patient developed ankle hemarthrosis during the experimental phase. In the repeated measures analysis we found statistically significant differences in joint state (F = 51.38; η 2 p = .63), pressure pain threshold of the lateral malleolus (F = 12.34; η 2 p = .29) and range of motion (F = 11.7; η 2 p = .28)., Conclusions: Therapy using immersive motion visualization does not cause hemarthrosis. This intervention can improve joint condition, pressure pain threshold and range of motion in patients with ankle arthropathy. Changes greater than the MDC were reported in more than 40% of patients for the variables pressure pain threshold, anterior tibialis strength and range of motion, which were considered clinically relevant., (© 2022 The Authors. Haemophilia published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Prophylactic treatment is the gold standard in the treatment of patients with haemophilia. Prophylaxis with extended half-life (EHL) treatment has shown long-term safety and efficacy in patients with haemophilia., Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of prophylaxis with EHL treatment in the frequency of haemarthrosis and musculoskeletal health in adult patients with severe haemophilia A., Methods: Prospective cohort study. Forty-six patients with severe haemophilia A were recruited. The frequency of haemarthrosis (self-reports), joint condition (Haemophilia Joint Health Score), pain intensity (visual analogue scale), range of motion (goniometry), and strength (dynamometry) and muscle activation (surface electromyography) were evaluated. Three assessments were carried out: at baseline (T0), at 6 months (T1) and at 12 months following treatment (T2)., Results: There were significant changes in the within-subject effect in the frequency of haemarthrosis in elbow (F(1.05;96.20) = 3.95; P < .001) and knee (F(1.73;157.99) = 9.96; P < .001). Significant within-subject effect in elbow pain intensity (F(2;182) = 63.51; P < .001) was found. The mean values of the frequency haemarthrosis in elbow (from .66±1.01 to .04±.20) and knees (from .55±.68 to .33±.53) decrease after the period study. The intensity of elbow pain and (from 3.08±1.69 to 2.67±1.73), decrease after the 12-month follow-up period., Conclusions: Prophylaxis with extended half-life treatment reduces the frequency of haemarthrosis in elbow and knee in adult patients with haemophilia. EHL treatment reduces the intensity of elbow pain in patients with haemophilic arthropathy., (© 2022 The Authors. Haemophilia published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Haemophilic knee arthropathy presents functional and structural alterations and chronic pain. Self-induced myofascial release aims to treat fascial restrictions and improve functionality., Aim: This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of a self-induced myofascial release protocol in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy., Methods: Twenty-five patients with bilateral haemophilic knee arthropathy were recruited (n = 50 knees). The patients followed an intervention protocol, with daily exercises for 8 weeks. The dependent variables were: safety of the technique (periodic telephone monitoring), joint state (Haemophilia Joint Health Score), pain intensity (visual analogue scale), pressure pain threshold (pressure dynamometer), range of motion (universal goniometer) and hamstring flexibility (Fingertip-To-Floor test). The resulting values were measured at baseline (T0) and after the intervention (T1). Paired t-test compared the means between the assessments. Effect size was obtained using Cohen's d mean difference formula. The minimum detectable change of each variable was calculated., Results: There were no cases of joint bleeding either during or after the procedure. The results showed improvements after the experimental period in joint state (Mean difference [MD]: 1.38; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: .94;1.81), pain intensity (MD: 1.19; 95%CI: .70;1.67), pressure pain threshold (MD: -23.25; 95%CI: -26.25;-19.84), flexion (MD: -4.36; 95%CI: -5.70;-3.01), loss of extension (MD: 4.10; 95%CI: 3.01;5.18) and hamstring flexibility (MD: 3.54; 95%CI: 2.61;4.46)., Conclusions: Myofascial self-release using a foam roller is safe in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy. A myofascial self-release protocol can improve perceived pain, range of motion and knee joint status, as well as hamstring flexibility in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy., (© 2022 The Authors. Haemophilia published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)