Urinary incontinence is a hygienic and psychosocial problem that often brings people to restrict their social life and to experience depression. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life among residents of the Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy, using a newly designed multidimensional questionnaire. The secondary objective was to find which variables affect the quality of life and symptom severity in these patients. To do so, a sample composed of twenty-eight patients was recruited in a multicentre cross-sectional study. Most of the participants had a mild impairment (60%) concerning social life and self-perception, especially those whose education was above the primary level (p = 0.036) and those who followed a pelvic floor rehabilitation program (p = 0.002). Overflow urinary incontinence was associated with a greater deterioration in the aspirational and occupational domain (p = 0.044). Symptom severity was worse in those who had comorbidities (p = 0.038), who had a high body mass index (p = 0.008) or who used diuretics (p = 0.007). In conclusion, our results suggest that there is a significant impairment of quality of life in patients who have only primary education and who follow a pelvic floor rehabilitation program.

Several studies have investigated the effect of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain, bringing contrasting results to the forefront. Thus far, however, there has been no synthesis of evidence on the effect of BoNT-A as an adjunctive treatment within a multimodal approach. Hence, Medline via PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library-CENTRAL were searched until November 2020 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of BoNT-A as an adjunctive therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain. The risk of bias (RoB) and the overall quality of the studies were assessed through RoB 2.0 and the GRADE approach, respectively. Meta-analysis was conducted to analyse the pooled results of the six included RCTs. Four were at a low RoB, while two were at a high RoB. The meta-analysis showed that BoNT-A as an adjunctive therapy did not significantly decrease pain compared to the sole use of traditional treatment (SDM −0.89; 95% CI −1.91; 0.12; p = 0.08). Caution should be used when interpreting such results, since the studies displayed very high heterogeneity (I = 94%, p < 0.001). The overall certainty of the evidence was very low. The data retrieved from this systematic review do not support the use of BoNT-A as an adjunctive therapy in treating chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Myasthenia gravis is a rare neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue. This review analyzes the most recent evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of different rehabilitative approaches to the disease. The review was carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 365 articles were found in the main scientific databases. Applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 11 studies were admitted to the final phase of the review. Three different rehabilitative approaches were identified: physical training, respiratory training, and balance training. All rehabilitative modalities contributed to enhancing functional outcomes, reducing fatigue, and improving quality of life, but currently none can be recommended over another for the lack of cross-comparative studies. The included studies showed methodological quality from low to fair. Despite the range of rehabilitative interventions available, there is a lack of high-quality evidence. However, this review suggests that a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach should be recommended to people with myasthenia gravis, and above all, for those with mild to moderate symptomatology.

Background In education, lecturers play a crucial role in facilitating students’ learning process. However, only a few studies explored which lecturers’ characteristics can facilitate this process in higher education for rehabilitation healthcare professionals. Starting from students’ perspectives, our qualitative study investigated the lecturers’ characteristics that facilitate students’ learning process in the rehabilitation sciences. Methods A qualitative interview study. We enrolled students attending the 2nd year of the Master of Science (MSc) degree in ‘Rehabilitation Sciences of Healthcare Professions’. Different themes were generated following a ‘Reflexive Thematic Analysis’. Results Thirteen students completed the interviews. From their analysis, we generated five themes. Specifically, a lecturer that facilitates students’ learning process should be: 1) ‘A Performer who Interacts with the Classroom’, 2) A Flexible Planner who Adopts Innovative Teaching Skills’, 3) ‘A Motivator who Embraces Transformational Leadership’, 4) ‘A Facilitator Who Encourages a Constructive Learning Context’ and 5) ‘A Coach who Devises Strategies to Reach Shared Learning Goals’. Conclusions The results of this study underscore the importance for lecturers in rehabilitation to cultivate a diverse set of skills drawn from the arts and performance, education, team building and leadership to facilitate students’ learning process. By developing these skills, lecturers can design lessons that are worth attending not only for their relevant content but also for their value in human experience.

Background/Aims Olive oil is a core part of the Mediterranean diet, as its consumption is associated with increased longevity. Olive pickers are those in charge of the harvest of olives. They are exposed to ergonomic hazards that might lead to rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Therefore, it is crucial for them to adopt the correct strategies to prevent and treat RMDs. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the prevalence, prevention and treatments of RMDs among this population. Hence, this study highlighted the prevalence, characteristics and management of RMDs in olives pickers, their expectations about the treatments, and beliefs about their job to the onset of RMDs. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey was developed to collect data from an Italian olive pickers’ cohort in the Liguria region. The survey investigated the sample’s 1) prevalence and characteristics of RMDs, 2) preventive and treatment activities for RMDs, 3) expectations about RMD treatments, and 3) beliefs about their job and RMD onset. Results From January to July 2021, we collected data from 127 participants (99 males (78%); 28 females (22); mean age 52±13). Prevalence of RMDs over one month, over six months, and over one year was 61.6% (95% confidence interval [51.3%-71.2%]), 77.8% [68.3%-85.5%], and 84.8% [76.3%-91.2%], respectively. The most affected joints were the lumbar spine (61%), the shoulders (57%), and the cervical spine (46%). The pain was experienced by 63% of participants during the harvest time and by 30% at the end. To prevent the onset of RMDs, 44% of participants did nothing, and 94% of them never attended any physical activity preventive course for their profession. To reduce pain, 45% of participants took painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Roughly 63% of participants reported avoiding specific movements, and 45% feared movement could enhance their pain. Due to the pain, 62% of participants were referred to health professionals. Participants expected to be educated on the right movements to perform (62%) and to receive manual treatments (46%) from health professionals. Participants believed that having a straight spine while working was crucial for their health (89%) and that physical activity was important for their joint wellness (82%). Conclusion RMDs strongly impact Ligurian olive pickers since one out of two experienced them. More attention should be given to the education of this population to provide them with preventive and managerial strategies for preventing and treating RMDs. Oliver pickers stressed the need to be educated on working ergonomics and the perceived importance of physical activity on health. Future studies should test the generalisability of these results to a broader sample and explore the efficacy of an educational programme focused on working ergonomics and preventive physical activity. Disclosure B. Giardulli: None. S. Battista: None. M. Testa: None.