BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the level of evidence and grades of recommendation regarding therapeutic respiratory muscle training interventions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: We conducted a search using a number of electronic databases, and the limits of the search were studies published between 1993 and 2013. The selected documents were classified according to grades of recommendation of the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim. The methodological quality of 11 studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. RESULTS: Fifteen trials (6 randomized controlled trials [RCTs], 2 non-RCTs, one quasi-experimental trial, 3 case studies, and 3 systematic reviews) showed clinical changes from pulmonary function outcomes for MS. The reviewed articles covered training protocols that were carried out for 10 weeks to 3 months at a frequency of 7 d/week with one or 2 daily sessions consisting of 3 sets of 10 or 15 repetitions per set at an intensity of 10 -60% of the subject's maximum expiratory pressure. It was observed that subjects who had minor scores in the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale showed changes in maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures after respiratory muscle training. In future studies, it would be suitable to take into account both inspiratory and expiratory muscle training.

Background: In recent years, the possibility of intervening humans with animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been growing due to numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits provided to humanity, enabling them to maintain or improve their quality of life. There exist different animals through which this therapy can be performed. The purpose of this systematic review will focus on the effects of AAT in several neurological diseases. Methods: The search of clinical trials was carried out in the PubMed, Scielo, Embase and PEDro databases. The selection of articles was made according to the different inclusion and exclusion criteria, incorporating those that approached neurological diseases to be reviewed. Results: Twenty-five clinical trials were identified, seventeen of which were finally included in the review. The results indicate that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in different neurological diseases has many benefits in several areas, for example, in motor and physical ability as well as in mental and behavioural health. Conclusions: This systematic review provides occupational therapy practitioners with evidence on the use of activity based on animal-assisted therapy as a novel field of intervention that can complement other therapies and obtain benefits in different populations.

(1) Objective: The aim of this study is to synthesize the effects of physical therapy on pain, frequency, or duration management in the short, medium, and long term in adult patients diagnosed with Tension-type headache (TTH). (2) Background: Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common headache with migraine and its pathophysiology and treatment has been discussed for years without reaching a consensus. (3) Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020175020). The systematic search for clinical trials was performed in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro, Scopus, SciELO and Dialnet. Articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, regarding the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions on adult patients with TTH published in the last 11 years with a score ≥ 6 in the PEDro Scale (Physiotherapy Evidence Database). (4) Results: In total, 120 articles were identified, of which 15 randomized controlled trials were finally included in order to determine the inclusion criteria. Changes in pain intensity, headache frequency or headache duration of individual studies were described (5) Conclusions: This systematic review shows that there is no standardized physical therapy protocol for the approach to tension headache, although all the techniques studied to date address in one way or another the cranio-cervical-mandibular region. The approach to the cranio-cervical-mandibular region reports significant effects in terms of decreasing the intensity of pain and frequency of headache episodes in the short and medium term. More long-term longitudinal studies are needed.

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