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BACKGROUND: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that produces balance and gait disorders. Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) therapies appear to facilitate motor planning influencing balance and gait relearning. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of AO and MI in isolation or combined (AO-MI), compared to sham interventions for the improvement of freezing of gait (FOG), speed, physical function and balance among individuals with PD. METHODS: PubMed, Web of science, PEDro, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to January 2024. Studies included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The study quality and risk of bias were assessed with PEDro scale and the Cochrane tool, respectively. The certainty of evidence was evaluated with GRADEpro GDT. RESULTS: Eight RCTs were included, with a methodological quality ranged from fair to high. There were statistically significant results in FOG at follow-up when comparing AO to sham intervention (SMD= -0.50, 95% CI -0.88, -0.11; I2: 0%) 3 studies, 107 participants). Interventions based on MI compared to sham intervention were statistically significant in speed at post-treatment (MD = -0.06, 95% CI -0.04, -0.08; I2: 0%) and balance at post-treatment (SMD = -0.97; 95% CI -1.79, -0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Very low certainty of evidence was found proposing that: AO produce improvements in FOG at follow-up; and MI produce improvements in speed and balance at post-treatment.

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The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between healthy vascular aging (HVA) and the Mediterranean diet alongside other lifestyles in a Spanish population aged 35 to 75 years without previous cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 501 individuals aged 35 to 75 years were recruited from five health centers by random sampling stratified by age and sex (55.90 ± 14.24 years, 49.70% men). HVA was determined in two steps. Step 1: Subjects with vascular damage to the carotid arteries or peripheral arterial disease were classified as non-HVA. Step 2: The study population was classified by age and sex using the percentiles of the vascular aging index (VAI), with VAI ≤p25 considered HVA and >p25 considered non-HVA. The VAI was estimated using the following formula (VAI = (log (1.09) × 10 cIMT + log (1.14) cfPWV) × 39.1 + 4.76. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was measured with the SphygmoCor® device, and carotid intima-media thickness using Sonosite Micromax® ultrasound. Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, alcohol and tobacco use were recorded through validated questionnaires. Physical activity was assessed with the ActiGraph-GT3X® accelerometer. RESULTS: The mean VAI value was 61.23 ± 12.86 (men-63.47 ± 13.75 and women-59.04 ± 11.54; p < 0.001). HVA was found in 18.9% (men-19.9% and women-17.8%). In the multiple regression analysis after adjusting for possible confounding factors, the mean VAI value showed a positive association with alcohol use (ß = 0.020) and sedentary hours per week (ß = 0.109) and a negative association with hours of activity per week (ß = -0.102) and with the number of healthy lifestyles (ß = -0.640). In the logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for possible confounding factors and compared to those classified as non-HVA, subjects classified as HVA were more likely to show MD adherence (OR = 0.571), do more than 26 h per week of physical activity (OR = 1.735), spend under 142 h per week being sedentary (OR = 1.696), and have more than two healthy lifestyles (OR = 1.877). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the more time spent doing physical activity and the less time spent in a sedentary state, the lower the vascular aging index and the greater the likelihood of being classified in the group of subjects with HVA.

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Background: Balance disorders and postural control treatments play an important role in fall prevention. The Brief-BESTest is a short-scale employed to evaluate balance and fall risk in different populations. Balance assessment is a fundamental element in patients with Acquired Brain Injury rehabilitation since postural alteration is one of the most frequent sequelae. The objective was to validate the Spanish version of the Brief-BESTest questionnaire in the stroke population. Methods: Subjects of both sexes aged over 18 years with a diagnosis of acute/chronic stroke were included. The BESTest, Mini-BESTest, Brief-BESTest, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up & Go Test were used to assess balance. The scales were implemented once. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to assess the internal consistency and confirmatory factorial analysis was employed to assess validity. Results: A total of 44 patients with a mean age of 65.35 years (SD = 10.665) participated. Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed a high internal consistency with a value of 0.839. In the criterion validity, there was a high positive correlation between the Brief-BESTest and BESTest (r = 0.879), Mini-BESTest (r = 0.808), and Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.711). Conclusion: The Spanish version of the Brief-BESTest scale is valid and reliable, showing adequate psychometric properties for balance assessment in patients with acute or chronic stroke.

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BACKGROUND: Vojta Therapy is a neurorehabilitation therapy that allows to activate reflex movement patterns. The scientific literature has shown its ability to generate muscle contractions. The activation of brain neural networks has also been proven. However, the relationship between these processes has not yet been demonstrated. For this reason, the aim of this study is to verify brain activation produced by recording with near-infrared spectroscopy and its relationship with muscle activation produced in the abdominal muscles recorded with surface electromyography. METHODS: A total sample of 27 healthy subjects over 18 years of age was recruited. An experimental study on a cohort was conducted. Two experimental conditions were considered: stimuli according to the Vojta protocol, and a control non-stimuli condition. Abdominal muscle activation was measured using surface electromyography, and the activation of the motor cortex was assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS: In relation to the oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (HbO), an interaction between the stimulation phase and group was observed. Specifically, the Vojta stimulation group exhibited an increase in concentration from the baseline phase to the first resting period in the right hemisphere, contralateral to the stimulation area. This rise coincided with an enhanced wavelet coherence between the HbO concentration and the electromyography (EMG) signal within a gamma frequency band (very low frequency) during the first resting period. CONCLUSIONS: The results underscore the neurophysiological effects on the brain following tactile stimulation via Vojta Therapy, highlighting increased activity in pivotal areas essential for sensory processing, motor planning, and control. This activation, particularly evident in the Vojta stimulation group, aligns with previous findings, suggesting that tactile stimuli can not only evoke the intention to move but can also initiate actual muscle contractions, emphasizing the therapy's potential in enhancing innate locomotion and rolling movements in patients with neurological disorders.

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Diabetes generates a great impact on society, as well as a concern for health professionals due to its high and increasing prevalence; there are several studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of vibration platforms and their benefits at a physiological level. The aim of this study will be to analyze the decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin and glycemia levels after the use of whole-body vibration platforms and the possible inclusion of this therapeutic option within the usual treatments. This is a double-blind, randomized controlled trial with parallel group design in a 1:1 ratio. The sample will be composed of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus in in the Plasencia area (Cáceres, Extremadura). Participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control group using a randomization list and will follow the inclusion criteria: type 2 diabetics between 50 and 60 years of age and not taking diabetes medication. All participants will undergo a determination of glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, lipid profile, weight and height, and different functional tests such as Time Up and Go, 10 Meters Walk Test, and 5 Sit To Stand. The experimental group will perform a whole-body vibration intervention on an oscillating platform for 12 weeks with a weekly frequency of three nonconsecutive days and a duration of 12 min. The exercises will consist of 60 s of work and 60 s with rest. The control group will carry out their normal life insisting on the importance of glycemic controls before and after their daily physical exercise. This study has been registered at clinical.trial.org, ID: NCT05968222. Whole-body vibration platforms have demonstrated their effectiveness in different pathologies such as stroke, fibromyalgia, sclerosis multiple, or Parkinson's. For that reason, an improvement in glycemic and lipid values and body composition are expected in people with diabetes after a whole-body vibration intervention for 12 weeks' duration. In addition, whole-body vibration platforms could be postulated as an alternative to usual treatments.

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Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common pathology in handball. The role of the intrinsic musculature of the foot in these players in relation to proprioception and stability has not been stablished. The objective of this study was to compare the ultrasound morphology of the heel fat pad of the foot in professional handball players to CAI in healthy players and establish relationships between CAI and physical and psychological variables. The study has been a descriptive observational case-control study in which 20 professional handball male players over 18 years of age were divided into 8 cases (CAI) and 12 controls (healthy). An ultrasound evaluation, the thickness and/or cross-sectional area at rest and the contraction measurement of the Abductor Digiti Minimi, Abductor Hallucis, Flexor Digitorum Brevis and Quadratus Plantae muscles were analyzed. Moreover, the compressibility index of the heel fat pad and the activation of the abdominal wall musculature (ultrasound), the flexion strength of the hallux and lesser toes (dynamometry), the foot functionality (Bristol Foot Score (BFS) questionnaire) and the psychological variables (self-reported questionnaires) were measured. There were no significant differences between the activation capacity values of the foot muscles of healthy and CAI athletes. Significant differences were found between groups regarding the BFS score (p = 0.007), d = 1.404), and significant correlations were also found between hallux flexion strength and lesser toes flexion strength in the total sample. Although there were no differences between the two groups, the identification of the activation pattern of these muscles in handball athletes is essential to the improvement of performance and preventing injuries such as CAI.

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Background: Telematic assistance has become indispensable in recent years. The increased prevalence of Acquired brain injury and the sequels it causes, requires long-lasting multidisciplinary treatments. Validated tools to assess the evolution of the disabilities and limitations of this pathology are essential to individualize and prescribe adapted treatments. The aim has been to create the telematic version of the Fugl Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity Motor Function (TFMA-UE) Spanish scale and its adaptation to the remote assessment of neurologic patients. Methods: An adapted scale was designed based on the Fugl Meyer Assessment scale-telematic version (FMA-TV): TFMA-UE. This scale is composed by 21 items which evaluate the upper extremity motor function. Physiotherapists trained in this tool, evaluate the results obtained from applying the two versions (on-site and telematic) to compare the results. Results: TFMA-UE was administered to 30 patients with acquired brain injury. It was applied on site and through the web platform selected by the patients in two different days. Patients completed all the scale in an easily way without help. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a factorial structure with a factor (76.08% of the variance). The Cronbach's internal consistency index obtained was 0.98 and the weight kappa index used to measure agreement between the two versions was 0.78 which represents substantial agreement. Conclusion: The Telematic Fugl Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity Motor Function (TFMA-UE) scale is a viable, useful and easy to apply tool that allows the upper extremity motor function assessment of Acquired Brain Injury patients.

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Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a painful menstruation that can persist for the duration of a woman's fertile life. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal therapy, physiotherapy techniques, etc., are the main treatments. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) in PD patients. The study will consist of a single-blind randomized clinical trial, parallel-assigned with two arms. Women with PD (18-43 years) with regular menstrual cycles and at least 4 points in VAS will be randomly divided into experimental (TTNS) and placebo (simulated stimulation) groups during 12 treatment sessions (1 session/week) and several follow-ups: monthly during treatment and 1, 3 and 6 months after. Maximum and mean pain intensity, pain duration, pain severity, number of anti-inflammatory drugs, quality of life, sleep quality, overall improvement, treatment satisfaction and secondary effects will be measured once a month every 6 months and at 3 and 6 months. The Student's t-test for independent samples or the Mann-Whitney U test will be used. The literature shows effective physiotherapeutic techniques for PD in the short term, which do not act on causes and have limitations. The TTNS technique can be used in transcutaneous and percutaneous modalities, with similar effectiveness, but the transcutaneous causes less discomfort. TTNS modulates pain, and long-term benefits could be achieved at low cost and without patient discomfort.

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People with Down syndrome (DS) have gait deficits because motor milestones are usually reached later. Decreased gait speed or reduced stride length are some of the main deficits. The main objective of the present work was to assess the reliability of the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) in adolescents and young adults with DS. The objective has been to analyze the construct validity of the 10MWT with the Timed up and go (TUG) test. A total of 33 participants with DS were included. Reliability was verified by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement was analyzed by the Bland-Altman method. Finally, construct validity was evaluated through Pearson correlation coefficient. The 10MWT intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were good (ICC between 0.76 until 0.9) and excellent (ICC > 0.9), respectively. The minimal detectable change for intra-rater reliability was 0.188 m/s. Also, it has demonstrated moderate construct validity (r > 0.5) considering the TUG test. The 10MWT has shown high intra- and inter-rater reliability and validity in adolescent and adults with SD and a moderate construct validity between TUG test and 10MWT.

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CrossFit® Training is a physical and sports-conditioning system based on constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. CrossFit® has been shown to significantly improve general physical performance and body composition. Although there seems to be an association between the practice of CrossFit® and musculoskeletal injuries, the relationship between CrossFit® and injury risks has been poorly studied. The main objective of this study was to establish the relationship between CrossFit® and musculoskeletal injuries. Secondary objectives were the analysis of various risk factors and injury and the comparison of the incidence of CrossFit® injuries to that of other sports. An online questionnaire was distributed to gyms affiliated with CrossFit®, Inc. in the Principality of Asturias, Spain in order to carry out a retrospective transversal descriptive study. The frequency of injuries in CrossFit® is similar to most sports. Injuries are often minor and of short duration, with the shoulder being the most affected joint complex.

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Cancer disease is a world problem which is increasing in its prevalence. Oncology patients have a multitude of symptoms derived from the treatments and from the disease itself that affect their quality of life to a greater or lesser extent. The aim of this study has been to discover the physical and psychological symptoms related to chemotherapy treatment in Spanish cancer patients in order to improve their quality of life. Symptoms from the previous week were taken into account and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale was used to measure the frequency, severity and associated distress of 32 symptoms. A total of 246 chemotherapy patients at the University Day Hospital in Salamanca completed the scale once while receiving chemotherapy treatment. A 95% confidence interval was considered. The most prevalent symptoms were a lack of energy (76.4%), anxiety (66.7%) and a dry mouth (60.6%). Lung cancer was the most prevalent cancer in men (26%) and breast cancer was the most prevalent cancer in women (72%). There is no consensus on which is the most prevalent symptom in this population and more studies will need to be carried out to determine the best treatment protocols. Symptom's prevalence knowledge could improve the patients' care to prevent or avoid complications and to improve the cancer patients' quality of life.

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Introduction: Personalized programs of integrated strength and balance activities have been shown their effectiveness in falls reduction in the older adults. Objective: To measure whether a group intervention with the strength and balance principles of the sLiFE program is more effective than standard health advice in reducing the incidence of falls. Methods: The study will comprise 650 participants with more than 65 years who live at home, observing established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned in two groups: group intervention (n = 325) and standard health advice (n = 325). The intervention group will follow the balance and strength activities described in the LiFE program manual. The group intervention will be carried out in groups of 12-14 and will consist of seven one-hour sessions over 12 weeks in health centres. Incidence of falls and quality of life will be assessed as primary outcome variables. Fear of falling and exercise adherence will be analysed as secondary outcome variables. Discussion: Physical activity has been put forward as an effective treatment technique for these patients; however, long-term adherence to these programs remains a challenge. Group interventions could reduce dropout rates. Conclusion: Falls represent a major health problem globally due to the disability they cause in older people. Prevention would help reduce not only their incidence but also the health costs derived from their treatment. Group intervention helps clinicians to save resources and time, being able to attend more people with the same quality of care. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05912088?distance=50&term=NCT05912088&rank=1, identifier NCT05912088.

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Palliative patients require several types of care to improve their quality of life as much as possible, and valid and reliable assessment instruments are essential. The objective of this study is the Spanish validation of the Functional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative Care (FACIT-PAL) and its abbreviated version, FACIT-PAL-14, in palliative care patients. FACIT-PAL and FACIT-PAL-14 were translated into Spanish and administered to 131 terminal oncology patients in home palliative care units, hospital palliative care units, health center teams, and social health centers. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire, EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL version, was used to evaluate the criterion validity. The EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL was employed as a "gold standard", and it obtained significant results with FACIT scales. FACIT-PAL-14, FACIT-PAL, and its subscales reported high internal consistency, from 0.640 to 0.816. The exploratory factor analysis for FACIT-PAL-14 found a structure in three factors that explained the 70.10% variance, and the FACIT-PAL scale found a structure of five factors. Physical wellbeing from FACIT-PAL highly correlated to the EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL (r = 0.700), but social and family wellbeing was correlated to a lesser extent (r = -0.323). FACIT-PAL and the TOI (Toi Outcome Index) were also highly correlated with the EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL, with values of r = -0.708 and r = -0.709, respectively. The Spanish versions of FACIT-PAL and FACIT-PAL-14 were demonstrated to be valid and reliable scales in palliative care patients.

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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that alters gait patterns from early stages. The visuo-motor training strategies such as action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) that are based on the activity of the mirror neuron system (MNS) facilitate motor re-learning. The main purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the current scientific evidence about the effectiveness of MNS's treatments (AO and MI) to treat gait in patients with PD. Searches were completed from the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and PEDro between November and December 2021. The following keywords were used: "Parkinson disease", "mirror neurons", "gait", "action observation", and "motor imagery". Randomized control trials of the last 5 years written in English or Spanish were included. Two independent reviewers screened the articles and applied the eligibility criteria, and a third reviewer assisted in this process. A total of six articles were included for final revision. The risk of bias was assessed with the PEDro Scale. The effects of AO and MI using different outcome measures were referenced in terms of disease severity, quality of life, balance, and gait. Training with AO and MI are effective in improving disease severity, quality of life, balance, and gait in patients with PD.

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Reflex locomotion therapy (RLT) was developed by Vaclav Vojta in 1954 as a diagnostic and treatment tool. This therapy is mainly used to rehabilitate children with motor disorders and risk of cerebral palsy. It is also used for adults with neurological and motor impairment. RLT is based on specific postures and regular stimulation points through which a series of reflex responses are triggered. The neurophysiological mechanisms of this therapy have recently been discovered. This study aims to objectively evaluate muscular responses at the abdominal level after stimulation in the first phase of reflex rolling by showing, with surface electromyography analysis (sEMG), the muscular activity in trunk stabilizing muscles (rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and serratus anterior) before, during, and after the application of RLT. A total sample of 27 healthy subjects over 18 years of age was recruited. An experimental study on a cohort was conducted. Two experimental conditions were considered: stimuli according to the Vojta protocol, and a control non-STI condition. Regarding muscular electrical activity, statistically significant differences were determined in all muscles during right-sided stimulation in the VSTI condition (p < 0.001), but not in the non-STI condition. The mean increase in muscle activity in the VSTI condition during the first stimulation ranged from 7% to 20% in the different abdominal muscles. In conclusion, an sEMG response was observed in the abdominal muscles during stimulation of the pectoral area as described in RLT, compared to stimulation of non-described areas.

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Sedentary behaviour is associated with a greater predisposition to developing cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between sedentary time and early vascular ageing. A total of 501 participants (49.70% men) were recruited through random sampling stratified by age group and sex. Vascular ageing was evaluated considering three criteria: (1) the vascular ageing index (VAI); (2) the carotid−femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) 10th and 90th percentiles of the reference values in the European population by age; and (3) the Framingham's heart age. The carotid intima−media thickness was measured using a Sonosite Micromaxx ultrasound, the presence of peripheral artery disease was assessed by calculating the ankle−brachial index using a VaSera VS-1500, and the cfPWV was measured with a SphygmoCor® device. Weekly sedentary hours were evaluated through a sitting time questionnaire. The average age of the population was 55.90 ± 14.24 years. The men spent more hours sitting per week (47.6 ± 16.6 vs. 36.8 ± 17.3 h/W), at work (16.7 ± 16.2 vs. 9.73 ± 14.9 h/W), and watching TV (21.6 ± 12.5 vs. 18.7 ± 11.9 h/W). In the logistic regression analysis, the individuals with early vascular aging (EVA), with respect to those with healthy vascular aging (HVA), spent more hours sitting per week (OR = 1.03 vs. OR = 1.02; p < 0.05) and watching TV (OR = 1.03 vs. OR = 1.03; p < 0.05), using the criteria of the European guideline and VAI, and more hours sitting when commuting (OR = 1.04; p < 0.05), using Framingham's heart age to define EVA. The results of this study indicate that sedentary time is associated with early vascular ageing. Therefore, reducing sedentary time would improve vascular health.

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The objectives of this study were to analyse the capacity of different anthropometric indices to predict vascular ageing and this association in Spanish adult population without cardiovascular disease. A total of 501 individuals without cardiovascular disease residing in the capital of Salamanca (Spain) were selected (mean age: 55.9 years, 50.3% women), through stratified random sampling by age and sex. Starting from anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, and waist circumference, hip circumference, or biochemical parameters, we could estimate different indices that reflected general obesity, abdominal obesity, and body fat distribution. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) using a SphygmoCor® device. Vascular ageing was defined in three steps: Step 1: the participants with vascular injury were classified as early vascular ageing (EVA); Step 2: classification of the participants using the 10 and 90 percentiles of cf-PWV in the study population by age and sex in EVA, healthy vascular ageing (HVA) and normal vascular ageing (NVA); Step 3: re-classification of participants with arterial hypertension or type 2 diabetes mellitus included in HVA as NVA. The total prevalence of HVA and EVA was 8.4% and 21.4%, respectively. All the analysed anthropometric indices, except waist/hip ratio (WHpR), were associated with vascular ageing. Thus, as the values of the different anthropometric indices increase, the probability of being classified with NVA and as EVA increases. The capacity of the anthropometric indices to identify people with HVA showed values of area under the curve (AUC) ≥ 0.60. The capacity to identify people with EVA, in total, showed values of AUC between 0.55 and 0.60. In conclusion, as the values of the anthropometric indices increased, the probability that the subjects presented EVA increased. However, the relationship of the new anthropometric indices with vascular ageing was not stronger than that of traditional parameters. Therefore, BMI and WC can be considered to be the most useful indices in clinical practice to identify people with vascular ageing in the general population.

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Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that is associated with multiple motor alterations and dysfunctions in children. Robotic systems are new devices that are becoming increasingly popular as a part of the treatment for cerebral palsy. A systematic review of the Pubmed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Dialnet, CINAHL, Scopus, Lilacs and PEDro databases from November 2021 to February 2022 was conducted to prove the effectiveness of these devices for the treatment of motor dysfunctions in children who were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Randomized clinical trials in Spanish and English were included. In total, 653 potential manuscripts were selected but only 7 of them met the inclusion criteria. Motor dysfunctions in the lower limbs and those that are specifically related to gait are the main parameters that are affected by cerebral palsy and the robotic systems Lokomat, Innowalk, Robogait and Waltbox-K are the most commonly used. There is no consensus about the effectiveness of these devices. However, it seems clear that they have presented a good complement to conventional physical therapies, although not a therapy as themselves. Unfortunately, the low quality of some of the randomized clinical trials that were reviewed made it difficult to establish conclusive results. More studies are needed to prove and test the extent to which these devices aid in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy.

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Cancer patients experience several symptoms throughout their illness and the treatments they receive. While this pathology represents a worldwide health problem, knowing the symptom prevalence in oncology patients remains a challenge; validated tools to obtain this information are essential. Furthermore, this prevalence information would help health professionals to establish appropriate treatments. The objective of this study was to ascertain the symptom prevalence in cancer patients from Spain and Colombia to improve future approaches. The frequency, severity, and distress of 32 symptoms from a validated scale experienced by cancer patients from Spain and Colombia were measured. Two hundred and forty-six patients (49.7%) who attended the Day University Hospital of Salamanca (Spain) and two hundred and forty-nine outpatients (50.3%) of the San Diego Cancer Center (Colombia) between 2016 and 2019 participated in the study. All patients filled in the Assessment Scale only once. Four hundred and ninety-five patients (333 women (67.3%) and 162 men (32.7%)) completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (Spanish version). The most frequent symptom for both samples (Spanish and Colombian) was "lack of energy" (38.4% and 13.7%, respectively). The most severe symptoms for the Spanish and Colombian samples were "problems with sexual interest or activity" (38.4%) and "dry mouth" (13.7%), respectively, and both samples agreed on the most distressing symptom: "hair loss" (Spanish, 38%; Colombian, 10.1%). The Spanish version of the MSAS has proven to be a valid and reliable tool in Spanish-speaking countries to obtain the most prevalent, severe, and distressing symptoms in Spanish and Colombian oncology patients. The prevalence of symptoms was demonstrated to be similar across both countries, and the results will help to design and adapt treatments for cancer patients, targeting these symptoms to reduce or avoid them and thus improving their quality of life.

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BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disorder work-related health problem in Europe, affecting millions of workers. It is estimated that 60-80% of the population will suffer at least one episode of mechanical LBP during their life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the kinesiotape (KT) effectiveness in mechanical LBP. METHODS: This was a double blinded, randomized-controlled clinical trial. Twenty-eight nursing and cleaning auxiliaries from Salamanca received a manual therapy program and a bandage of KT or false kinesiotape (FKT). They received two sessions a week for three weeks and a follow-up one month after the last session. Pain, range of motion and function were measured at baseline, at the end of each session and a month after the last session. RESULTS: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and LBP are responsible for a high prevalence of sick-leave and absenteeism. Manual therapy and KT has demonstrated to reduce pain and to increase range of motion and function being effective in this population. There are statistically significant results in both groups in all measurements for all variables. KT seems to be superior, however, both have a positive effect on LBP. Although benefits decrease, long-term treatments focusing on pain alleviation and functional recovery is needed to maintain the benefits achieved. CONCLUSION: KT was an effective complement for this treatment. Although both show improvements, KT is recommended. Future studies are needed to demonstrate KT properties, to establish a treatment protocol to prevent chronic LBP and to avoid sick leave and absenteeism.

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