Musculoskeletal Diseases: From Pathophysiology to Clinics, Diagnostics and Treatment

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 648

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail
Guest Editor
Rehabilitation Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
Interests: musculoskeletal disorders; rehabilitation; sports injuries

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Alma Mater degli Studi, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Interests: metacarpal fractures sports injuries hand injuries conservative treatment functional recovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal diseases are among the most prevalent in the population. This Special Issue aims to evaluate the pathophysiological causes of different diseases, clinical–diagnostic frameworks and treatment.

Rehabilitation science is a dynamic and multidisciplinary field dedicated to enhancing the health and quality of life of individuals through a comprehensive approach that integrates advanced clinical and diagnostic techniques. This Special Issue of Biomedicines aims to provide an expansive platform for the latest research and developments in rehabilitation, encompassing a wide range of areas, including musculoskeletal, neurological, geriatric care, etc. The aim of this Special Issue is to present groundbreaking research that drives innovation in rehabilitation practices. We welcome contributions that explore novel diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions and holistic care strategies that address the complex needs of patients. This includes, but is not limited to, studies on physiopathogenesis, clinical biomechanics, diagnostic tests, neuroplasticity, cognitive and behavioral therapies, and interdisciplinary approaches to rehabilitation. In the realm of musculoskeletal disease, we seek papers that delve into advanced instrumental technologies and biomechanical assessments to improve the understanding and treatment of musculoskeletal impairments. Contributions in this area should aim to bridge the gap between biomechanical research and clinical practice, offering insights into effective treatment modalities that enhance patient outcomes. Our goal is to promote the translation of cutting-edge research findings into practical, impactful solutions that revolutionize rehabilitation practices and significantly improve patient care across various domains.

We invite papers that present innovative solutions and approaches, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Orthopedic rehabilitation;
  • Clinical and diagnostical evaluation;
  • Physiopathogenesis of muscle, tendon and joint disease;
  • Prevention of fall risks;
  • Treatment of musculoskeletal disease;
  • Neurological impacts on musculoskeletal health;
  • Neurophysiological aspects of musculoskeletal disorders.

Dr. Danilo Donati
Dr. Roberto Tedeschi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • musculoskeletal disease
  • joint disease
  • musculoskeletal health
  • musculoskeletal disorders

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Other

12 pages, 1330 KiB  
Systematic Review
Breaking the Cycle of Pain: The Role of Graded Motor Imagery and Mirror Therapy in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
by Danilo Donati, Paolo Boccolari, Federica Giorgi, Lisa Berti, Daniela Platano and Roberto Tedeschi
Biomedicines 2024, 12(9), 2140; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12092140 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 538
Abstract
Background: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition characterized by severe pain and functional impairment. Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) and Mirror Therapy (MT) have emerged as potential non-invasive treatments; this review evaluates the effectiveness of these therapies in reducing pain, improving [...] Read more.
Background: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition characterized by severe pain and functional impairment. Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) and Mirror Therapy (MT) have emerged as potential non-invasive treatments; this review evaluates the effectiveness of these therapies in reducing pain, improving function, and managing swelling in CRPS patients. Methods: A systematic review was conducted including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated GMI and MT in CRPS patients. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024535972) to ensure transparency and adherence to protocols. This review included searches of PubMed, Cochrane, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. Out of 81 studies initially screened, 6 were included in the final review. Studies were assessed for quality using the PEDro and RoB-2 scales. The primary outcomes were pain reduction, functional improvement, and swelling reduction. Results: Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) and Mirror Therapy (MT) reduced pain by an average of 20 points on the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS) and resulted in functional improvements as measured by the Task-Specific Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). GMI also contributed to some reduction in swelling. MT, particularly in post-stroke CRPS patients, showed significant pain reduction and functional improvements, with additional benefits in reducing swelling in certain studies. However, the included studies had small sample sizes and mixed designs, which limit the generalizability of the findings. The studies varied in sample size and design, with some risk of bias noted. Conclusions: Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) and Mirror Therapy (MT) have proven to be effective interventions for managing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), with significant improvements in pain reduction and functional recovery. These non-invasive treatments hold potential for integration into standard rehabilitation protocols. However, the small sample sizes and variability in study designs limit the generalizability of these findings. Future research should focus on larger, more homogeneous trials to validate the long-term effectiveness of GMI and MT, ensuring more robust clinical application. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop