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        <title>Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/rehabilitation-sciences</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-05-13T06:12:54.726+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1710509</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1710509</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The impact of communication abilities on independence in everyday life—a cross-sectional study of adults with cerebral palsy]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ellen Backman</author><author>Kate Himmelmann</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionCommunication is imperative for social participation and for being an independent and autonomous adult. Despite this, little is known about how communication abilities in adults with childhood-onset disabilities impacts independence. This study explores nine everyday life domains and the associations of independence with communication effectiveness and speech impairment in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in western Sweden. Transitioning to and establishing independence in adulthood was assessed using the Rotterdam Transition Profile. Associations with communication effectiveness and speech production, as well as the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), was explored. A total of 139 participants born 1979 - 1998 (74 males, 62 females, and 3 non-binary; mean age 30y 1mo, range 18 - 43y) were included of which 28% were described to have complex communication needs.ResultsOver 70% of all participants reported the highest level of independence in the domains “Employment and education” and “Finances”. In other domains, for example “Relationships”, less than 50% reported at this level. All participants reported low levels of independence in the domains “Service and aids” and “Sexuality”. Greater independence in all everyday life domains was associated with having effective communication. Impaired speech was significantly associated with less independence in all domains, except “Finances”. The use of AAC supported independence in the domains “Leisure” and “Relationships”.DiscussionCommunication is a crucial factor to consider in both research and practice to enhance the understanding of independence in persons with cerebral palsy. Complex communication needs are common among adults with CP and must be addressed — regardless of motor function — to support successful transition to adulthood and living the life one wants.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1806869</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1806869</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Study on the effectiveness and safety of balance instrument training on balance and lower limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke hemiplegia]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zhimin Chen</author><author>Huafang Chen</author><author>Junjie Wang</author><author>Haodong Lu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a balance instrument (Pro-Kin system) on balance function and lower limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke hemiplegia.MethodsSixty patients with ischemic stroke hemiplegia were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation therapy. The experimental group underwent additional balance training using the Pro-Kin balance measure and training system. Balance function and lower limb motor function were assessed before and after a 6-week intervention using four clinical scales and six parameters derived from the balance instrument.ResultsAfter adjusting for baseline va lues using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group in all four clinical scales and six balance instrument parameters. Clinical scores: Berg Balance Scale (BBS F = 68.42, P < 0.001), Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity (FMA-LE F = 285.64, P < 0.001), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT F = 121.17, P < 0.001), and affected-side single-leg stance time (TALS F = 27.86, P < 0.001) are significantly better (all P < 0.05) in the experimental group.The six balance instrument parameters: center of pressure (COP) sway amplitude in the mediolateral (F = 24.32, P < 0.001) and anteroposterior directions (F = 38.74, P < 0.001), average sway velocity in the mediolateral (F = 59.40, P < 0.001) and anteroposterior directions (F = 158.64, P < 0.001), Motion length of COP in 30s (F = 209.03, P < 0.001), and Motion ellipse area (F = 255.05, P < 0.001) are significantly better (all P < 0.05) in the experimental group.ConclusionBalance instrument training with the Pro-Kin system can effectively improve balance function and lower limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke hemiplegia, with superior outcomes compared to conventional rehabilitation training alone.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1832561</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1832561</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Importance of physiotherapy and occupational therapy according to people with multiple sclerosis—results from an online survey]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Heleen Beckerman</author><author>Jacqueline P. M. A. Coppers</author><author>Isaline C. J. M. Eijssen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a long-term neurological disease with life-altering consequences for daily functioning. While physiotherapy, occupational therapy and Cesar/Mensendieck (posture) exercise therapy are considered essential in the management of MS, little is known about how people with MS (PwMS) value these therapies across the course of the disease. Therefore, we aimed to investigate PwMS’ experiences with these therapies, as well as their perceived role and value in the lives of PwMS.MethodsA nationwide online survey was conducted among adults with MS. The survey used closed and free-text questions to assess use, experiences with these therapies, barriers to access, satisfaction, and perceived values. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and free-text data were analyzed thematically.ResultsIn total, 193 participants (mean age 58, 73% female) completed the survey. Physiotherapy was widely known and used (97% ever used, 88% current use), occupational therapy was known to 96% and used by 75% (25% current), while posture exercise therapy was less known and used. All these therapies are highly valued by PwMS, with roles evolving throughout the disease course. Satisfaction with therapy and therapists was high, especially regarding contact, trust, and involvement in therapy decisions. Access barriers included distance, mobility, transport, and financial issues. Participants emphasized the need for MS-specific expertise of physiotherapists.ConclusionPwMS highly value physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and posture exercise therapy, which have a lasting impact across all disease stages. Their values and needs are dynamic and multifaceted, evolving with disease progression and changing life circumstances.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1867136</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1867136</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Effect of kinesiophobia on physical activity level in patients with coronary heart disease]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Ruo-han Wang</author><author>Yan Wang</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1745887</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1745887</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Exploration of the center of mass kinematics correlation with established gait measures in post-spinal cord injury]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Gabrielle C. Labrozzi</author><author>Madelaine K. Blincoe</author><author>Lisa M. Lombardo</author><author>Nathaniel S. Makowski</author><author>Musa L. Audu</author><author>Ronald J. Triolo</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionWalking mobility is important for health and quality-of-life after spinal cord injury (SCI). Outcome metrics monitoring rehabilitation progress typically focus on gait speed, assistive technologies, and muscle strength, but do not address all gait determinants in a single metric which limits understanding of gait deviations and compensatory strategies. Center of mass (CoM) is a global parameter reflecting whole-body movement and motor control. We hypothesized CoM kinematics might quantitatively differentiate between clinically accepted ambulatory categories and correlate with clinical gait performance metrics.MethodsWe collected CoM and six established clinical gait assessments from five ambulatory individuals with incomplete SCI over four sessions. Single-sine coefficients of a Fourier Series model were optimized via a non-linear gradient-based optimizer to compute CoM symmetry indices in the mediolateral, anteroposterior, and inferiosuperior directions. We computed correlations between the indices and clinical assessments with a Spearman Correlation Analysis (α = 0.05).ResultsCoM differentiated across impairment levels and uniquely captured deviations from neurotypical gait. Symmetry indices strongly or moderately correlated with 10-Meter Walking Test, 2-min Walking Test, Lower Extremity Motor Score and SCI-Functional Ambulation Inventory depending on the CoM direction (|ρ|>0.5). Two clinical measures were weakly correlated across all directions: Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II and Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. Mediolateral and anteroposterior CoM correlated with more measures (three) than the inferiosuperior direction (one).ConclusionsCoM appears to reflect the multidimensionality of gait and clarify some of the deficiencies of clinically accepted measures. These findings suggest CoM analysis is clinically relevant, and supports further exploration of symmetry indices as figures of merit for gait performance and informing rehabilitation interventions post-SCI.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1818009</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1818009</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Promoting dignity as a core concept of healthcare: An opinion piece from an occupational therapy perspective]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-08T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Opinion</category>
        <author>Amani Abdullatif Alnamnakani</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1792865</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1792865</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Exploring clinician-reported assessments of capacity and performance qualifiers in the ICF: a scoping review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Tobias Kaarsbo</author><author>Jeppe Grabov Phillip</author><author>Thomas Maribo</author><author>Kristian Hansen</author><author>Huib Ten Napel</author><author>Lisbeth Rosenbek Minet</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundThe International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a standardized rating system called “qualifiers” to describe capacity and performance, reflecting what a person can do and what a person does, respectively, yet their clinician-reported use remains conceptually and methodologically unclear.ObjectiveTo map and describe clinician-reported assessments linked to capacity and performance qualifiers, and to examine how these qualifiers have been operationalized in practice.MethodsA scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic searches were performed in five bibliographic databases and grey literature sources from 2001 to August 2025. The protocol was registered prospectively on the Open Science Framework. Studies were included if they described clinician-reported assessments applying capacity and/or performance qualifiers in accordance with original ICF definitions.ResultsFive studies met the inclusion criteria. Identified assessments were confined to a narrow range of Mobility categories, namely walking and use of the upper extremities. Most studies retrofitted existing clinical tests to qualifiers using heterogeneous approaches, including percentage-based thresholds, normative distributions, or clinically defined descriptors. Only one study developed an assessment specifically designed for qualifier use. Explicit differentiation between capacity and performance was rarely reported, and validation of qualifier thresholds was limited.ConclusionsNearly a quarter of a century after the adoption of the ICF, clinician-reported use aligned with original ICF capacity and performance definitions remains limited, conceptually ambiguous, and methodologically inconsistent. Clearer conceptual definitions and internationally agreed, category-specific criteria are needed to enable meaningful, reliable, and comparable clinician-reported assessments of functioning.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1775722</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1775722</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Integration of virtual reality and eye-tracking-based feedback system improves rehabilitation observation skills]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Kazuo Saito</author><author>Makoto Suzuki</author><author>Naoki Iso</author><author>Kilchoon Cho</author><author>Takuhiro Okabe</author><author>Takuya Matsumoto</author><author>Junichi Yamamoto</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundRehabilitation education has traditionally relied on an apprenticeship model, where the acquisition of practical skills, such as the ability to observe subtle patient movements to detect abnormalities, is highly dependent on the tacit knowledge of experienced practitioners. This lack of objective evaluation and standardized education presents a significant challenge. To address this, we integrated virtual reality (VR) and eye-tracking technologies to objectively measure and educate behavioral observation skills. This study aimed to quantitatively verify the educational effectiveness of this approach in novice therapists.MethodsWe tested two hypotheses: first, that the integration of VR and eye-tracking can objectively quantify and differentiate the observation skills of expert and novice therapists and second, that feedback education based on this objective data can effectively improve novice skills to an expert level. Using a single-case, multiple-baseline design (A-B design), four novice physical therapy students observed a VR video of a patient with right-sided hemiparesis performing a reaching task. During the intervention, each novice received personalized feedback using their own visual scanning heatmaps compared to the expert average, along with detailed verbal explanations.ResultsThe novice baseline visual scanning patterns, which showed a concentrated focus on the patient's upper body, were quantitatively distinct from the broad, stable visual scanning patterns of four expert therapists. Through the intervention, data rate (PND) exceeded 70% in many participants and phases, indicating an immediate and powerful effect of the intervention. This improvement was sustained by one-month post-intervention. Concurrently, participants' self-efficacy, feasibility, and social validity scores showed notable increases and high median ratings.DiscussionThese results provide the first scientific evidence that an integrated VR and eye-tracking system, offering data-driven feedback, can effectively and lastingly improve rehabilitation observation skills, which have previously been difficult to teach and evaluate.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1826976</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1826976</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Treatment outcomes across curve patterns and severities in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with a pattern-specific CAD-CAM brace]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Tuğba Kuru Çolak</author><author>Burçin Akçay</author><author>Hans-Rudolf Weiss</author><author>Xiaofeng Nan</author><author>Lisa Elliott</author><author>Serra Zeynep Akkoyunlu</author><author>Maksym Borysov</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundWhether treatment outcomes differ according to curve pattern or baseline severity in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remains a subject of debate. In particular, it is unclear whether pattern-specific, CAD-CAM–designed brace systems provide comparable effectiveness across different curvature types. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of curve pattern and initial curve magnitude on treatment outcomes in AIS patients treated with a pattern-specific CAD-CAM–designed brace.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on female AIS patients aged 10–14 years (Risser 0–2) treated between 2015 and 2024. Cobb angle and angle of trunk rotation (ATR) were used as primary outcome measures. Data from four international clinics were analyzed for changes in spinal curvature and curve pattern.ResultsA total of 145 patients were included (mean age 12.2 years; mean Cobb angle 38.4° ± 11.4°). Post-treatment, mean Cobb angle and ATR values decreased significantly (p < 0.001). The overall treatment success rate was 91%, with no significant differences based on apex vertebra location (p = 0.459), ALS patterns (p = 0.705), or baseline curve severity (p = 0.274).ConclusionIn this multicenter cohort of skeletally immature adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, pattern-specific brace treatment was associated with significant reductions in both radiographic curvature and trunk rotation. Improvements were observed across different curve patterns and baseline severities. However, given the retrospective design and absence of a comparison group, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Prospective controlled studies are warranted to further validate these observations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1768125</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1768125</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Can the goals of rehabilitation and disability be reconciled? A discussion paper]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Jerome Bickenbach</author><author>Birgit Prodinger</author><author>Alessandro Giustini</author><author>Gerold Stucki</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The objective of this short note is to ask How can we make sense of and reconcile these two societal trends? Our aim is not to provide our own definitive answer, supported by argument and evidence, but to interest the research community to weigh in and either reject the premise that there is a tension, or propose approaches to reconciliation. With that in mind, we begin by providing two, very general, reasons for thinking there is a tension – mindful that there is diverse academic literature here that we cannot adequately summarize – and then making a suggestion about one possible approach to reconciliation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1742388</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1742388</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Exploration of rehabilitation psychology in multidisciplinary care of upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries: patient and provider perspectives]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Stephanie H. Vu</author><author>Michael L. Dolezal</author><author>Sonja Katt</author><author>JulieAnn Uh</author><author>Benjamin L. Grannan</author><author>Sarah M. Smith</author><author>Christopher S. Crowe</author><author>Yusha Katie Liu</author><author>Jeffrey B. Friedrich</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Peripheral nerve injuries pose long-term functional and psychological challenges, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach that integrates surgical, medical, and rehabilitative care. Rehabilitation psychologists play a critical role in addressing emotional distress and functional adaptation after injury, particularly as treatment decisions shape recovery expectations. This study examines how factors such as injury chronicity, mechanism, and surgical decisions impact patients’ perception of the value of rehabilitation psychology (RP) intervention following peripheral nerve injury. RP intervention consisted of seeing a rehabilitation psychologist for mental health screening, as well as recommendations for further mental health related follow-up. Fifty consecutive patients with upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries who underwent consultation at a multidisciplinary peripheral nerve clinic completed a two-item survey to assess the perceived importance of RP before and after their clinic visit. Providers were asked to complete a five-question survey. Patients were grouped based on their perception of the value of following RP intervention, and predictors of improved perception were analyzed. Following intervention, 74% of patients demonstrated improved perception of RP or stayed at the highest possible score both pre- and post-visit, suggesting that RP was found to be a valuable addition to the PNI care team. No statistically significant associations were found between perception changes and clinical factors. These findings support the integration of RP in multidisciplinary peripheral nerve injury care, and further research should explore the long-term role of RP and applicability to other injury types.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1769102</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1769102</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effects of early rehabilitation with a physiatrist and a registered therapist operating acute rehabilitation in mechanically ventilated ICU patients: a prospective observational study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Masato Ise</author><author>Yasuhisa Fujita</author><author>Satoki Furuta</author><author>Mari Kakita</author><author>Yasunori Umemoto</author><author>Shigeaki Inoue</author><author>Masanori Hamada</author><author>Fumihiro Tajima</author><author>Ken Kouda</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionProlonged immobilization in the intensive care unit (ICU) leads to ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW), which delays ventilator liberation and worsens outcomes. Although early mobilization is beneficial, and the Physiatrist and Registered Therapist Operating Acute Rehabilitation (PROr) program has been associated with improved functional recovery and higher home-discharge rates in stroke populations, its effectiveness in mechanically ventilated ICU patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the PROr in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.MethodsWe conducted a single-center, prospective observational study from 2013 to 2017. Adults requiring mechanical ventilation with a pre-admission Barthel Index (BI) ≥ 70 were included. Patients were assigned to early mobilization (EM; within 48 h of ICU admission) or usual mobilization (UM; after 48 h). Primary outcomes were duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes included neurological responsiveness and functional recovery at discharge.ResultsSixty-nine patients were analyzed (44 EM, 25 UM), with comparable baseline characteristics. EM was associated with shorter median ventilation duration (5.5 vs. 7.7 days; p < 0.05) and ICU stay (9.1 vs. 11.6 days; p < 0.05). Eye-opening scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale significantly improved during mobilization in both groups, whereas Motor-response scores showed no significant differences. Functional outcomes at discharge (BI, FIM) were similar between groups. No adverse events occurred during mobilization.ConclusionsMobilization within 48 h under the PROr did not induce any clinical adverse events and significantly reduced ventilation duration and the length of ICU stay. Mobilization of mechanically ventilated unconsciousness ICU patients may improve levels of consciousness.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1648169</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1648169</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Upper limb replantation: functional disability and quality of life challenges]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Andrea Bueno-de la Fuente</author><author>Sandra Núñez-Rodríguez</author><author>Raquel de la Fuente-Anuncibay</author><author>Miguel Eugenio Estefanía-Díez</author><author>Endika Nevado-Sanchez</author><author>Jerónimo Javier González-Bernal</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundUpper limb replantation, while surgically complex, demands a multidimensional assessment of functional recovery, subjective satisfaction, and quality of life beyond mere anatomical survival of the limb.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes, health-related quality of life, and perceived satisfaction of patients after upper limb replantation, with special attention to the impact of surgical reintervention, rehabilitation, and return to work.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional observational study including 62 patients treated at a referral center between 2021 and 2023. Patients were assessed using validated instruments (DASH, SF-12, Russell test) alongside clinical and sociodemographic data. Statistical analyses explored associations between reintervention, functionality, quality of life, and work reintegration.ResultsNearly half of the patients required reintervention, which was significantly associated with greater functional disability in occupational and recreational contexts and lower subjective use of the hand in daily activities. Return to work was linked to better functional scores, although quality of life measures showed limited association with functional outcomes.ConclusionSurgical reintervention and failure to return to work are key factors associated with perceived disability after upper limb replantation. These findings highlight the need for individualized, multidisciplinary follow-up protocols that integrate functional, psychological, and occupational rehabilitation strategies to optimize patient recovery.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1668986</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1668986</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Feasibility of transcranial magnetic stimulation adjuvant therapy for chronic respiratory diseases: a narrative review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Rui Xu</author><author>Geyi Wen</author><author>Yuhong Wang</author><author>Xiaoyun Wang</author><author>Yuanyuan Luo</author><author>Lili Yang</author><author>Xuesong Gai</author><author>Li Li</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Chronic respiratory disorders (CRDs) are the third most common cause of cancer- and cardiovascular disease-related mortalities. Non-pharmacological interventions for CRDs effectively slow disease progression, improve quality of life, ameliorate symptoms, and potentially extend survival. Pulmonary rehabilitation faces limitations in respiratory training efficacy owing to methodological constraints, poor patient adherence, and questions about long-term benefits. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used to demonstrate the capacity of cortical excitability modulation to cause neuronal plasticity. For respiratory function, TMS exhibits dual diagnostic and therapeutic applications; it can identify neural origins of diaphragmatic dysfunction, directly stimulate pathways to activate the diaphragm, and address comorbid anxiety and depression through limbic cortical circuitry. This review outlines the physiological respiratory mechanisms and evaluates the current evidence for TMS interventions in respiratory dysfunction. Our objectives are to elucidate TMS mechanisms in CRDs, evaluate its feasibility as an adjunctive respiratory training approach, and propose novel conceptual frameworks for respiratory impairment management.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1736102</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1736102</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A review of assistive product prices in 12 countries]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Natália Hedlund Jardim</author><author>Vinicius Delgado Ramos</author><author>Irene Calvo</author><author>Johan Borg</author><author>Kylie Shae</author>
        <description><![CDATA[PurposeThe World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimate that over 2.5 billion people need assistive technology, yet access remains limited. In response to this pressing need, WHO has maintained, since 2016, a Priority Assistive Products List (APL) with 50 priority assistive products. In 2024, an update was launched to revise and expand the list based on new evidence and stakeholder input. This paper presents the price review component of the update. The review consisted of collecting global price data and classifying assistive products into price ranges to support the decision-making process for the updated APL.Materials and methodsFrom an initial list of 300 products prioritized by the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Assistive Technology, 120 products were selected for the price collection by domain experts. Twelve countries, representing a range of income levels and geographic regions, were chosen for data collection. Focal points in each country gathered the lowest prices for the selected assistive products. The collected price data was then used to classify the products into five Gross Domestic Product-standardized price ranges.ResultsFocal points from all 12 countries submitted price data to varying extents. In eight countries, the data covered over 75% of products, whereas in the remaining four countries, the coverage was below 50%, as focal points faced challenges such as limited supplier access or time constraints. The collected data provided insights into the affordability of assistive products across countries and product categories.ConclusionThe price analysis contributed essential evidence to the APL update and highlighted global disparities in affordability of assistive products. The data showed an inverse relationship between national income level and affordability, where the lower the income, the greater the financial burden assistive products represent.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1821532</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1821532</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Isokinetic dynamometry assessment of the transition period between eccentric and concentric hamstring contractions in athletes with a history of hamstring injury]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Barbier Vincent</author><author>Francois Perla</author><author>Jeremy Neuillet</author><author>Aude Page</author><author>Marina Caquant</author><author>Alice Schiller</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundHamstring (Hs) injuries are frequent in sports involving explosive efforts. While eccentric deficits and strength imbalances are known risk factors, the role of the transition period between eccentric and concentric contractions remains unexplored.ObjectiveTo determine whether the transition period between eccentric and concentric contractions of the hamstrings, measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, differs between athletes with a history of Hs injury and healthy controls.MethodsThis observational retrospective study included 57 participants (26 previously injured athletes and 31 healthy controls) assessed with standard and plyometric isokinetic tests. The primary outcome was the transition period between eccentric (30°/s) and concentric (240°/s) Hs contractions. Secondary outcomes included torque measurements and calculated ratios (Croisier and Plyometric).ResultsThe transition period did not differ significantly between groups. Injured athletes demonstrated higher concentric Hs peak torque at 240°/s (p = 0.002) and 60°/s (p = 0.013), but similar eccentric torque. No differences were found between injured and uninjured limbs in the injured group. The transition period showed no correlation with other isokinetic or anthropometric parameters.ConclusionThe transition period, as measured by isokinetic testing, does not appear to be influenced by a prior Hs injury and may lack clinical utility in guiding rehabilitation. However, plyometric evaluation may help reveal residual eccentric deficits in previously injured athletes. Future studies using electrophysiological techniques could provide more precise insight into neuromuscular latency during explosive efforts.Levels of evidence: 3b]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1725152</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1725152</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Exploring factors shaping employment outcomes of people with disabilities through the PEOP model: a scoping review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Huiling Hu</author><author>Peter H. F. Ng</author><author>Karen P. Y. Liu</author><author>Andy S. K. Cheng</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionEmployment is a critical dimension of social participation for individuals with disabilities, yet persistent barriers restrict equitable workforce engagement.ObjectiveThis scoping review applied the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model to systematically examine factors influencing employment among people with disabilities.MethodsGuided by established scoping review methodological frameworks and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR, a comprehensive search was conducted across four major databases (Embase, PubMed, CNKI, and PubScholar) to identify relevant studies published between January 2015 and January 2025. After screening 6,240 records, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and synthesized using a theory-informed thematic analysis based on the PEOP model.ResultsThe included studies were categorized into the Person (n = 13), Environment (n = 11), and Occupation (n = 11) domains. Person-level factors emphasized motivation, self-efficacy, and demographic characteristics such as disability type, age, and gender. Environmental factors included workplace accommodations, social support, and transportation accessibility. Occupational factors focused on vocational rehabilitation programs and job modifications.ConclusionFindings highlight the complex and interrelated influences of personal, environmental, and occupational factors on employment for people with disabilities. Future research should expand to underrepresented regions and populations and develop culturally appropriate, evidence-based interventions to promote inclusive employment.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FD8GT]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1687061</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1687061</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Strengthening rehabilitation to reduce burn contractures and disability in sub Saharan Africa]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Shani Kondo Omari</author><author>Lydia Issaria Mosses</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Burn injuries remain a major yet under-recognized driver of long-term disability in low-and middle-income countries particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. While survival rates have improved in some settings, recovery often ends at hospital discharge. Thousands of survivors particularly children, women, and those living in poverty develop preventable burn contractures due to delayed or absent rehabilitation. These disabling complications restrict movement, limit education and employment opportunities, and reinforce cycles of poverty and exclusion. It has been shown that early, low-cost rehabilitation including positioning, splinting, and range-of-motion exercises initiated within days of injury can significantly reduce contracture formation and improve functional outcomes. Yet rehabilitation remains fragmented, underfunded, and largely excluded from national burn management guidelines and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) benefit packages across many Sub-Saharan African countries. This article argues that burn rehabilitation must be repositioned from an optional add-on to a core component of comprehensive burn care and a pillar of disability-inclusive health systems. It examines systemic barriers including workforce shortages, policy invisibility, infrastructure gaps, financial risk protection failures, and sociocultural stigma. It further highlights practical, scalable solutions such as early bedside rehabilitation protocols, task-shifting models, community-based rehabilitation, survivor-led peer support, and integration into national health financing frameworks. Strengthening rehabilitation is not a competing priority it completes burn care. By embedding functional recovery into policy and practice, Sub-Saharan Africa can move beyond survival toward dignity, inclusion, and long-term productivity for burn survivors.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1755286</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1755286</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effect of kinesiophobia on physical activity level in patients with coronary heart disease]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ruo-han Wang</author><author>Yan Wang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is an established effective intervention to improve the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, exercise-related barriers frequently hinder PA engagement among this population, limiting its beneficial effects. Given the critical role of PA in cardiac rehabilitation and promising findings from relevant studies, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) has been increasingly adopted to assess kinesiophobia in CVD patients. In China, however, understanding of this issue remains inadequate, with related research initiating relatively late.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the levels of kinesiophobia and PA in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and evaluate the impact of kinesiophobia on PA levels.DesignA quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted.ParticipantsA convenience sample of 401 hospitalized CHD patients was recruited.SettingsTwo Grade A tertiary hospitals in Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.MethodsData were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia for Heart (TSK-SV Heart), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-S-C). Kinesiophobia levels, physical activity levels, and their association were analyzed.ResultsThe incidence of kinesiophobia among CHD patients was 69.08%. The median PA level was 924 metabolic equivalent minutes per week (MET-min/week). Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between TSK scores (total and subscale) and PA MET values (r = −0.509, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated that CHD patients with kinesiophobia were 13.023 times more likely to be in the low PA group compared to those without kinesiophobia.ConclusionsCHD patients exhibit poor PA levels and an alarmingly high incidence of kinesiophobia. Kinesiophobia scores have a strong negative impact on PA engagement. Healthcare providers should pay close attention to this issue and implement timely interventions to address kinesiophobia in CHD patients.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1770872</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2026.1770872</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Can functioning scores guide rehabilitation referral in primary care? Extending ClinFIT to the community level]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Opinion</category>
        <author>Fatimah Ahmedy</author><author>Mohd Nazri Mohd Daud</author><author>Sukhbeer Kaur Darsin Singh</author><author>Frisca A. Francis</author><author>Candace Goh</author><author>Julia Patrick Engkasan</author><author>Melissa Selb</author><author>Gerold Stucki</author>
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