University of La Frontera

Trismus has been reported as the second most common comorbidity in survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC). It is mainly associated with post-radiotherapy subcutaneous fibrosis, muscular atrophy, damage to neurological structures in the neck, or a combination of all, affecting masticatory musculature. In addition to this, the loss of flexibility and strength in the shoulder has also been shown to be related to deficits in the function and quality of life of these patients.
The goal of this clinical trial is to determinate the effectiveness and safety of Manual Therapy (MT) on oral health, as well as the mobility of the upper quarter, the strength of cervical musculature, pain, functionality, and the perception of quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors.
Participants will be assigned randomly to the study groups: a) manual therapy program and control motor exercises and b) motor control exercises (usual care).
The assessment refers to a baseline form (at the beginning of the study), at 6 weeks and at 6 weeks of patient follow-up.

The aging population in Chile and worldwide is increasing, with older people expected to represent 32.1% of the population by 2050. This demographic shift brings age-related pathologies such as dementia, a leading cause of disability and dependence among older individuals globally. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) precedes dementia and presents a critical therapeutic window for halting or slowing its progression. While resistance exercise training appears promising for this at-risk population, few studies have evaluated its effects on cognitive function and muscle strength in individuals with MCI.
Hypothesis: Twelve weeks of progressive resistance exercise training will significantly improve cognitive function, skeletal muscle mass, and strength in people over 60 years of age with MCI compared to the usual therapy in the control group.
Goal: The main objective of this study is to compare the effect of progressive resistance exercise training with usual therapy (control group) on cognitive function, skeletal muscle mass, and strength in individuals over 60 years of age with mild cognitive impairment.
Methodology: In this randomized controlled trial, we will recruit 60 participants (both men and women) aged 60 years or older. Participants will be identified with MCI using the MoCA and Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ). They will be randomly assigned to two equal groups: a control group (receiving usual therapy) and an intervention group (receiving usual therapy plus resistance training). All participants in both groups will be evaluated before (Pre-time 0) and after (Post-time 1) the intervention. During the evaluations, samples and measurements will be taken, including fasting blood samples for BDNF and CTSB measurement, whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to assess global muscle mass, and magnetic resonance imaging of the quadriceps and brain. Global cognitive function will be evaluated using the ACEIII test, maximum strength with 1 repetition maximum (1RM), functional capacity with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), adapted Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (T-ADLQ). Finally, quality of life will be assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF scale.

Background: Muscle flexibility is a fundamental physical quality for body development, daily life and sports activities, and also for maintaining muscle quality during aging. Limited flexibility leads to an increased prevalence of musculoskeletal injury in general population and longer return to sports activities.
Among the existent strategies to increase muscle flexibility in sports training and physical rehabilitation, static stretching is commonly used by health and physical activity professionals. Its effectiveness in increasing flexibility has been widely demonstrated; however its effects on muscle strength and power remains controversial.
Therefore, eccentric resistance exercise has been proposed as an effective intervention for increasing muscle flexibility through structural changes on muscle architecture (pennation angle and fascicle length) with the additional benefit of resistance training on muscle strength and power. Nonetheless, its unknown if the increase in muscle flexibility through eccentric resistance exercise could be similar to what has been previously demonstrated with static stretching.