Joint Manipulation for Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of rehabilitation, manual therapy and joint manipulation at varying grades are widely employed to address joint dysfunctions, such as restricted mobility, pain, and diminished function. Despite significant advances in research, the precise benefits of these techniques within clinical rehabilitation remain to be fully elucidated, particularly regarding their neurophysiological impact. This Special Issue invites submissions that provide scientific evidence and new insights into the role of manual therapy in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders.

We encourage researchers to submit original studies and reviews addressing topics such as:

• Neurophysiological Effects of Manual Therapy: We invite investigations examining how manual therapy influences the central nervous system, including studies on autonomic markers like heart rate variability and other physiological indicators. This approach can deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of these interventions and their potential to modulate pain responses and other neurological processes. Additionally, original research or systematic reviews or meta-analyses that explore the effects of manipulation on joint structure and connective tissues are welcome, particularly for practitioners interested in understanding the mechanisms and efficacy behind higher-grade manipulations.
• Impact of Audible Sounds on Clinical Success Perception: Both patients and practitioners hold expectations regarding the audible sounds accompanying joint manipulations, an area that still requires stronger empirical support. We seek studies that investigate the relationship between these audible cues and patient expectations, exploring how they influence perceptions of success and satisfaction with treatment.
• Combined Rehabilitation Protocols: We welcome manuscripts that explore the effectiveness of protocols combining manual therapy with other interventions, such as exercise and trigger point therapy. This integrated approach aims to offer a more robust and comprehensive recovery, a fundamental area for developing effective, evidence-based treatment protocols.
• Technological Validation and Precision in Force Application: We also invite studies that validate the use of technological tools to standardize and measure the consistency of applied forces during manipulations. This area of research is crucial for enhancing precision in clinical practice and achieving more predictable, uniform results.

This Special Issue aims to provide clinicians and researchers with evidence-based recommendations to guide the use of manual therapy in managing musculoskeletal disorders. We invite authors to contribute work that expands our knowledge of the current and future role of joint manipulation and supports a more effective, scientifically grounded rehabilitation process.

Dr. Eleuterio A. Sánchez Romero
Guest Editor

Dr. Rob Sillevis
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 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.

• orthopedic manual therapy (OMT)
• chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP)
• joint manipulation
• treatment outcomes
• evidence-based intervention