AIM: Verifying if physical therapy, neurostimulation techniques, aerobic fitness and video games can induce neural plasticity making it possible for cortical reorganisation, motor recovery in patients, improvement of cognitive functions and transfer of spatial knowledge in the everyday living environment. METHODS: There have been revised scientific articles respectively focused on the role of pain, the role of physical therapy, neurostimulation techniques and video games in cortical reorganisation. Articles related to the role of pain have taken in the study subjects with pain, to observe its role in cortical reorganisation. Studies related to physical therapy and neurostimulation techniques after cerebrovascular accident consisted of the involvement of these subjects which exposed to different neurostimulations. Also, related to cognition and video games subjects exposed to these interventions for cognitive benefits. RESULTS: From all articles reviewed there have been effective results of neurostimulation techniques, aerobic fitness and video games in cortical reorganisation inducing neural plasticity (p < 0.05) toward motor recovery, improvement of executive functions and transfer of spatial knowledge. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation through locomotor training and neurostimulation techniques, improves mobility in subjects after a cerebrovascular accident due to cortical reorganisation. Also, through aerobic fitness and video games, there have been improvements in cognitive functions. This way, rehabilitation dedicated to the promotion of well-being and health urges beneficial neuroplastic changes in brain corresponding in functional improvement.

Background: Rehabilitation is an important health strategy. Due to the lack of rehabilitation professionals (e.g., no physical and rehabilitation medicine, occupational therapist, and others) and lack of rehabilitation services (e.g., no multi-profession rehabilitation services in hospital, no post-acute rehabilitation services, no community-based rehabilitation services), the need to strengthen rehabilitation in Albania was pronounced. Therefore, this project aimed at rehabilitation service assessment and workforce capacity building in Albania. Methods: The World Health Organization’s Template for Rehabilitation Information Collection was used to collect available data related to rehabilitation services. Additionally, two site visits to different rehabilitation centers including interviews with relevant stakeholders were performed. A stakeholders’ workshop to prioritize recommendations was also performed before finalizing the report. Results: In Albania, rehabilitation service delivery, rehabilitation workforces, and financing in rehabilitation need to be strengthened. Conclusions: The project achieved the intended objectives. Additionally progress has been occurring in the development and implementation of the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialization at the University of Medicine, Tirana.

Introduction: Although physiotherapy is beneficial to intensive care unit (ICU) patients and recommended by guidelines, the role of physiotherapy in ICU settings is not fully explored in Albania. Purpose: To provide an overview of the current physiotherapy practice in Albanian ICUs and explore the involvement of physiotherapists and intensive care nurses regarding respiratory therapy and early mobility in the ICU. Patients and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study, which included all ICU nurses working in six

BACKGROUND:Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease, known as the most common cause of difficulty walking in older adults and subsequently is associated with slow walking. Also one of the main symptoms is a degenerative and mechanics type of pain. Pain is very noticeable while walking in rugged terrain, during ascent and descent of stairs, when changing from sitting to standing position as well as staying in one position for a long time. Many studies have shown that the strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle can affect gait, by improving or weakening it. Kinesio Tape is a physiotherapeutic technique, which reduces pain and increases muscular strength by irritating the skin receptors.AIM:The aims of this study was first to verify if the application of Kinesio Tape on quadriceps femoris muscle increases gait speed in patients with knee osteoarthritis and secondly if applying Kinesio Tape on quadriceps femoris muscle reduces pain while walking.METHOD:Seventy-four patients with primary knee osteoarthritis, aged 50 - 73 years, participated in this study. Firstly we observed the change of gait speed, while walking for 10 meters at normal speed for each patient, before, one day and three days after the application of Kinesio Tape on quadriceps femoris muscle, with the help of the 10 - meter walk test. Secondly, we observed the change of pain, while walking for 10 meters at normal speed for each patient, before, one day and three days after the application, with the help of Numerical Pain Rating Scale - NRS.RESULTS:Our results indicated that there was a significant increase in gait speed while walking for 10 meters one day and also three days after application of Kinesio Tape on quadriceps femoris muscle. Also, there was a significant reduction of pain level 1 and 3 days after application of Kinesio Tape, compared to the level of pain before its application.CONCLUSIONS:Our results indicated that there was a significant decrease in pain and increase of gait speed while walking for 10 meters. Kinesio Tape can be used in patients with knee osteoarthritis, especially when changing walking stereotypes is a long-term goal of the treatment.

BACKGROUND:Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease, known as the most common cause of difficulty walking in older adults and subsequently is associated with slow walking. Functional decline, increased risk of falls and the presence of pain are, in many studies, related to the muscle weakness caused by osteoarthritis especially weakness of the quadriceps muscles. Many studies have shown that the strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle can affect gait, by improving or weakening it. Kinesio Tape is a physiotherapeutic technique, which reduces pain and increases muscular strength by irritating the skin receptors.AIM:This study aimed to verify if the application of Kinesio Tape on quadriceps femoris muscle increases gait speed while decreasing the time needed to accomplish the 10-meter walk test in patients with knee osteoarthritis and also in subjects without knee osteoarthritis.METHOD:In this study, we observed the change of gait speed with the help of the 10-meter walk test before, one day and three days after the application of Kinesio Tape in quadriceps femoris muscle. We compared the results of the time needed to perform the 10-meter walk in two groups. In the first group, the Patients group, participated 102 out-patients with a clinical diagnosis of primary knee osteoarthritis, while in the second group, the Control group, participated 73 subjects with a main excluding criterion a clinical diagnosis of primary knee osteoarthritis.RESULTS:Our results indicated that there was a significant decrease of time needed to perform the 10-meter walk test in both groups three days after application of Kinesio Tape on quadriceps femoris muscle. However, there was not a significant change one day after the application of Kinesio Tape compared before its application in both groups.CONCLUSIONS:Our results indicated that there was a significant decrease in time needed to accomplish the 10-meter walk test. Kinesio Tape is a technique that can be used especially when changing walking stereotypes is a long-term goal of the treatment.