Early Effects of a Pain-Informed Movement Program in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Condition Experiencing Persistent Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated 771 million confirmed cases. Of these patients, 60% have developed persistent symptoms including pain. This pain is a complex symptom that needs comprehensive therapeutic strategies to address it holistically. The main objective of this study will be to evaluate the early impact of the Pain Informed Movement (PIM) program in patients with post-COVID-19 conditions experiencing new-onset persistent pain. (2) Methods: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial will be performed. Patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to the experimental or control group. The experimental group will undergo a PIM program consisting of low-intensity functional exercises, pain neuroscience education, and relaxation techniques. The control group will receive no intervention. (3) Results: The results will be published as a peerreviewed article. (4) Conclusions: This study will provide a basis for future research to support the implementation of comprehensive therapeutic approaches in the care of patients with post-COVID-19 persistent pain.Spanish Ministry of Education (Grant numbers FPU: 21/00451, FPU 20/01670, and FPU 19/02609)College of Physiotherapists of Andalucia, Proyect Ref: 06195/21D/M

Relationship between Pain Intensity, Physical Factors, Pronociceptive Pain Modulation Profile and Psychological Vulnerability on Upper Limb Disability in Older Patients with Chronic Shoulder Pain

Background: Chronic shoulder pain is a very prevalent condition causing disability and functional impairment. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between pain intensity, physical variables, psychological vulnerability, pronociceptive pain modulation profile and disability in older people with chronic shoulder pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 56 participants with non-specific chronic shoulder pain of the “Complejo Hospitalario Universitario” (Granada) and 56 healthy controls were included. The outcomes evaluated were pain intensity (visual analogue scale), physical factors (dynamometry for grip strength), psychological vulnerability (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), pronociceptive pain modulation profile (pain pressure algometry) and disability (Quick Disability Arm Shoulder Hand questionnaire). Results: Disability showed a positive correlation with pain and psychological vulnerability (p < 0.05) and a negative correlation with pronociceptive pain variables and dynamometry (p < 0.001). Psychological vulnerability also presented a strong negative correlation with proprioceptive pain variables and dynamometry and a positive correlation with pain (p < 0.05). In regard to the pronociceptive pain modulation profile, a strong negative correlation with pain (p < 0.001) and a positive moderate correlation with dynamometry (p < 0.001) were shown. Conclusions: Our results support a strong association between disability, psychological vulnerability and pronociceptive pain modulation profile in older adults with chronic shoulder pain.German Research Foundation (DFG) FPU: 20/2167

Using Myofascial Therapy to Improve Psychological Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Sexual Function in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain—A Case Series

(1) Background: Chronic pelvic pain represents a prevalent condition afflicting women. Research has highlighted the presence of psychological distress and sexual dysfunction in these individuals. Regrettably, myofascial pelvic pain often goes unnoticed and untreated despite its integral role in chronic pelvic pain. (2) Methods: By employing a longitudinal case series design, we studied eighteen women afflicted with chronic pelvic pain. Over a 12-week period, these participants underwent 15 sessions of myofascial therapy. Data encompassing sociodemographic particulars, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index were collected at baseline, 12 weeks post-intervention, and again at the 24-week mark. (3) Results: After a span of 12 weeks subsequent to the intervention, the participants demonstrated noteworthy enhancements (p < 0.001) in their depression and anxiety scores, their overall Mental Component scores in the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12, as well as sexual function. Importantly, these gains were sustained at the 24-week juncture post-therapy. (4) Conclusions: The findings stemming from our prospective case study underscore the potential utility of myofascial therapy for women grappling with chronic pelvic pain. This form of intervention yields significant advancements in alleviating anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life, and sexual function

Effectiveness of Self-Care Education for Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Self-care programs for chronic neck pain are relevant to everyday life and can lead to longterm improvement. More studies on their effectiveness, key components and appropriate duration are needed. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of self-care programs for patients with chronic neck pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. After searching in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ScienceDirect, eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Self-care education interventions typically consisted of education (i.e., pain neuro-science education or general educational concepts) accompanied by exercise or manual therapy. The most frequent components were addressing physical and psychological symptoms and engaging in self-care strategies. The least frequent ones were monitoring and recording symptoms and discussing with providers of medical care. The duration of the interventions ranged from three sessions to six months. Finally, individual and supervised modalities were the most frequent. After pooling the data, a meta-analysis was carried out according to four variables (i.e., pain, disability, kinesiophobia and catastrophization) and showed significant results (p < 0.05) in favor of self-care interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that self-education interventions improve pain, psychological pain-related variables and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. The most frequently used components were addressing physical and psychological symptoms and engaging in self-care strategies. Future trials should focus on including other components, such as discussing symptoms with providers of medical care or self-monitoring symptoms. Additional areas of focus include more homogeneous doses and comparator treatments, as well as studies with better evidence to reach more solid conclusions.Grants for the training of university faculty from the University of Granada (codes FPU: 20/01670 and FPU: 21/00451