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Life
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Trends and Applications—4th Edition
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Trends and Applications—4th Edition

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 3603

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Li-Wei Chou

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
2. Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
Interests: pain management; dry needling; acupuncture; myofascial pain; robotic rehabilitation; neurorehabilitation; physical modality; orthosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Jiunn-Horng Kang

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
2. College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031 Taiwan
Interests: AI in medicine; pain medicine; neuromodulation; assistive technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Krisna Piravej

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Guest Editor
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Interests: neurorehabilitation, robotic rehabilitation, tele-rehabilitation, musculoskeletal pain, clinical neurophysiolog
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Karen Sui Geok Chua

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Guest Editor
Centre of Rehabilitation Excellence, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, Singapore 569766, Singapore
Interests: neurorehabilitation; brain injury rehabilitation; robotic aided rehabilitation; telerehabilitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical medicine and rehabilitation are broad medical fields that include the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases; the improvement in human quality of life; and overcoming or reducing handicaps. The clinical effects of rehabilitation are well known, and positive outcomes have been widely reported in the literature. However, the basic research and variations related to rehabilitation programs deserve specific in-depth analyses. Clinical and basic research can elucidate the possible mechanisms of physical medicine and rehabilitation interventions, and can be applied in planning rehabilitation projects, measuring patient improvement after the administration of rehabilitation programs, and defining forecasting and organizational models. In this Special Issue, we welcome the submission of original articles and reviews focusing on the latest developments following theoretical, experimental, and clinical investigations into physical medicine and rehabilitation for physiatrists and rehabilitation researchers.

Dr. Li-Wei Chou
Prof. Dr. Jiunn-Horng Kang
Dr. Krisna Piravej
Dr. Karen Sui Geok Chua
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. Life 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

  • clinical physical medicine and rehabilitation
  • neurorehabilitation
  • cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
  • orthopedic rehabilitation
  • pediatric rehabilitation
  • geriatric rehabilitation
  • cancer rehabilitation
  • musculoskeletal pain management
  • physical therapy
  • occupational therapy
  • speech and swallowing therapy

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Related Special Issues

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 468 KB  
Article
Association Between Physical Performance, Gait Variability, and Fall Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Predictive Validity of Step-Width Variability for Screening of Fall Risk
by Yongnam Park and Youngsook Bae
Life 2025, 15(9), 1469; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15091469 - 18 Sep 2025
Viewed by 66
Abstract
Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between physical performance, gait variability, and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A total of 446 participants were divided into fall-risk and non-fall-risk groups. Physical performance was assessed using hand grip [...] Read more.
Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between physical performance, gait variability, and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A total of 446 participants were divided into fall-risk and non-fall-risk groups. Physical performance was assessed using hand grip strength (HGS), the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand test (5TSTS). Spatiotemporal gait parameters and their coefficients of variation (CV) were measured on a treadmill. Results: Logistic regression revealed that TUG, HGS, step-width CV, and velocity CV were significantly associated with fall risk, whereas age was not. Among these, TUG and step-width CV demonstrated the highest discriminative ability (AUC = 0.708 and 0.715, respectively). Conclusions: Step-width CV was a particularly sensitive indicator of gait stability. These findings suggest that a combination of TUG and step-width CV may help identify older adults at risk of falls, underscoring the importance of gait variability in fall risk screening. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Trends and Applications—4th Edition)
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15 pages, 738 KB  
Article
Therapeutic Effects of Photobiomodulation Combined with Exercise on Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease Plus Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Pilot and Feasibility Study
by Shang-Zhen Chen, Tetsuya Takahashi, Hei-Jeng Lai, Hsi-Hsun Su and Yu-Jung Cheng
Life 2025, 15(9), 1391; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15091391 - 1 Sep 2025
Viewed by 791
Abstract
Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are difficult to treat and associated with poor healing outcomes. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and exercise have shown individual benefits, but evidence on their combined effects is limited. Objective: To evaluate whether [...] Read more.
Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are difficult to treat and associated with poor healing outcomes. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and exercise have shown individual benefits, but evidence on their combined effects is limited. Objective: To evaluate whether PBMT combined with resistance exercise improves wound healing and walking ability in patients with DFU and PAD. Methods: In this pilot randomized trial, 11 patients with DFU and PAD were allocated to either PBMT plus supervised exercise or exercise alone for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included wound size, skin temperature, and 6-min walking distance. Results: PBMT combined with exercise improved wound healing and walking capacity compared with baseline; however, no significant between-group differences were observed. A positive correlation was observed between post-PBMT plantar skin temperature and percentage of wound reduction. Conclusions: PBMT combined with resistance exercise may enhance wound healing and functional mobility in patients with DFU and PAD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Trends and Applications—4th Edition)
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15 pages, 266 KB  
Article
Correlates of Rehabilitation Length of Stay in Asian Traumatic Brain Injury Inpatients in a Superaged Country: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Karen Sui Geok Chua, Zachary Jieyi Cheong, Emily Yee and Rathi Ratha Krishnan
Life 2025, 15(7), 1136; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15071136 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 466
Abstract
Background: While Asia contributes 44.3% of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) worldwide, data regarding Asian TBI inpatient rehabilitation length of stay (RLOS) is scarce. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine correlates of inpatient RLOS (days) and prolonged RLOS >30 days (PRLOS > [...] Read more.
Background: While Asia contributes 44.3% of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) worldwide, data regarding Asian TBI inpatient rehabilitation length of stay (RLOS) is scarce. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine correlates of inpatient RLOS (days) and prolonged RLOS >30 days (PRLOS > 30). (2) Methods: Data extraction of discharged inpatient records was performed from 2018 to 2024. Dependent variables included RLOS (days) and PRLOS > 30. Independent variables included demographic characteristics, TBI severity (emergency-room Glasgow Coma Scale-GCS), admission/discharge Functional Independence Measure (FIM), intra-rehabilitation complications, post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) duration, and discharge placement. (3) Results: Altogether, 289 data sets were analysed, median (IQR) age, 64 (28) years, 78.9% (228/289) males, and 79.6% (230/289) Chinese. Median (IQR) RLOS was 28 (21) days, with PRLOS >30 at 39.8% (115/289); RLOS of 44 (19.5) days. PRLOS > 30 was significantly associated with PTA duration >28 days (OR 4.01, 95% CI 1.90–8.45, p < 0.001), admission FIM ≤ 40/126 (OR 4.71, 95% CI 2.32–9.59, p < 0.001), delayed neurosurgical complications (OR 4.74, 95% CI 1.28–17.6, p = 0.02) and discharge to non-home destination (OR 2.75. 95% CI 1.12–6.76, p = 0.03). (4) Conclusion: PRLOS >30 was significantly associated with longer PTA > 4 weeks, lower admission FIM score, delayed neurosurgical complications, and discharge to a nursing home. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Trends and Applications—4th Edition)
19 pages, 1209 KB  
Article
The Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on Muscular Strength, Functional Performance and Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Adults with Sarcopenia: A Short-Term Intervention
by Patrícia Sardinha Leonardo, Alberto Souza Sá Filho, Pedro Augusto Inacio, Paulo Ricardo França, Vicente Aprigliano, Fernando Teixeira, Michel Monteiro Macedo, Douglas Farias Fonseca, Pedro Sardinha Leonardo Lopes-Martins, Gustavo De Conti Teixeira Costa and Rodrigo Alvaro Brandão Lopes-Martins
Life 2025, 15(7), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15071111 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1840
Abstract
Despite the benefits of resistance training in mitigating sarcopenia, adherence among frail older adults is often limited by osteoarticular pain, comorbidities, and logistical barriers. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has emerged as a potential alternative. However, evidence regarding its effects on functional and [...] Read more.
Despite the benefits of resistance training in mitigating sarcopenia, adherence among frail older adults is often limited by osteoarticular pain, comorbidities, and logistical barriers. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has emerged as a potential alternative. However, evidence regarding its effects on functional and psychological parameters remains scarce. Objectives: To assess the effects of 12 PEMF therapy sessions on knee extensor strength and functional performance (Timed Up and Go test—TUG) in older adults with sarcopenia. Secondary outcomes included changes in calf circumference (CC), SARC-F + CC scores, and depressive symptoms. Methods: A controlled, non-randomized experimental design was employed, with a pre-intervention control group serving as a baseline reference (PEMF group: n = 25; control group: n = 16). Participants received 12 PEMF therapy sessions (three times per week) targeting the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles. Outcomes were measured using knee-extension dynamometry, TUG, CC, SARC-F + CC, and the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Statistical analyses included ANCOVA, with baseline values as covariates. Results: Significant improvements were observed in knee-extension strength, which increased from 13.05 ± 4.8 kgf to 18.56 ± 8 kgf (p < 0.001); TUG test time improved from 23.1 ± 14.4 to 18.7 ± 10 s (p = 0.048); SARC-F + CC scores decreased from 11.6 ± 8.2 to 6.5 ± 7.6 (p < 0.001), though the interaction effect with time was not significant (p = 0.252). No statistically significant changes were observed in CC, which increased from 34.0 ± 4.0 cm to 36.0 ± 3.9 cm following the intervention (p = 0.548). Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale scores improved significantly (7.9 ± 2.4 to 5.4 ± 1.7, p = 0.0013). Conclusions: PEMF therapy significantly improved lower-limb muscle strength and functional mobility in elderly individuals with sarcopenia. Additionally, depressive symptoms were significantly reduced. However, no significant changes were observed in CC or SARC-F + CC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Trends and Applications—4th Edition)
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