Physical Therapy Journal of Indonesia

Estimation-based joint position sense: comparing self-rated and measured accuracy across sexes

2026-01-14T00:41:36+00:00

Background: The validity of self-rated joint position sense (JPS) remains inconclusive. Moreover, previous experimental designs for JPS assessment often failed to reflect real-life movement execution, and studies addressing sex differences in JPS are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived JPS (self-rated JPS) and actual joint position error (JPE), and examine sex-based differences in JPE.

Methods: Thirty-three apparently healthy adults participated in the study and performed an elbow flexion to 90°, relying on proprioceptive inference rather than memorized reproduction. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the perceived JPS and JPE. JPS acuity was evaluated using constant error and absolute error (AE), while the reliability of repeated measures was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results: Ordinal logistic regression revealed that higher JPE values are associated with lower self-ratings of JPS ability. In the analysis of sex differences, females exhibited significantly greater AEs than did males, indicating lower proprioceptive accuracy. However, ICC values showed slightly higher reliability in females, suggesting more consistent performance across repeated trials despite larger deviations from the target angle.

Conclusion: This study provides new evidence on the relationship between self-perceived and measured JPS, as well as sex-related differences in proprioceptive performance. The findings underscore the importance of considering sex and individual self-awareness in proprioceptive training strategies. Therefore, incorporating cognitive feedback may enhance JPS self-perception and improve training outcomes in clinical and sporting contexts.

Comparison of mirror therapy and constraint-induced movement therapy on motor recovery and functional outcomes in post-stroke patients

2026-01-14T11:22:27+00:00

Background: Mirror therapy (MT) and constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) are rehabilitative techniques for improving upper limb function after stroke; however, direct comparisons of their effectiveness are limited. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of MT and CIMT on upper limb recovery in stroke patients.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial of 30 post-stroke patients was undertaken from June to September 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to either the MT or CIMT groups. The primary objective was the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremities (FMA-UE), whereas the secondary outcomes were surface electromyography biofeedback (sEMG-B) and the box and block test (BBT).

Results: CIMT significantly improved FMA-UE and BBT scores (p < 0.001), along with sEMG measurements of the middle, anterior, and posterior deltoid, biceps, triceps, wrist extensors, and wrist flexors (p < 0.001). MT also led to significant improvements in FMA-UE, BBT, and sEMG (all p < 0.001). Intergroup comparisons showed greater BBT score gains with CIMT (11) than MT (10), while differences in FMA-UE and sEMG were not significant.

Conclusion: Both CIMT and MT enhance upper limb motor function in stroke patients, whereas CIMT results in higher increases in hand dexterity.

Does omega-3 supplementation added to exercise attenuate inflammaging? Effects on circulating interleukin-6 in older adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2026-01-14T11:26:46+00:00

Background: Low-grade systemic inflammation (inflammaging) characterizes older adults, with circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a key biomarker linked to frailty, physical decline, and cardiometabolic risk. Exercise repeatedly elicits anti-inflammatory myokine responses, while long-chain omega-3 (eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)/ docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) promotes resolution of inflammation via membrane remodelling and specialized pro-resolving mediators. This study aimed to determine whether adding omega-3 supplementation to structured exercise reduces resting IL-6 more than exercise alone in older adults.

Methods: A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed using a pre-specified medical subject headings (MeSH) strategy that combined terms for long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, structured exercise/physical activity, Interleukin-6, the aged population, and randomized/clinical trial filters; animal-only studies were excluded. This search yielded 22 records. Complementary searches in Scopus (14 records) and ResearchGate (18 records) were pooled with PubMed results and deduplicated prior to screening. Four RCTs (duration 8–18 weeks) met all criteria. Pooled effects were estimated with a random-effects model using restricted maximum likelihood (REML). Between-study heterogeneity was summarized by Q, I², and τ² summarized between-study heterogeneity. Potential small-study effects were explored visually using a funnel plot.

Results: Pooled analysis using a REML model shows that post-intervention IL-6 was lower by 0.77 pg/mL when omega-3 supplementation was added to exercise versus exercise alone (MD = −0.77 pg/mL; 95% CI −1.46 to −0.08; p = 0.03; k = 4), indicating a statistically significant, directionally consistent attenuation of resting inflammation. Between-study heterogeneity was moderate (Q = 7.04, df = 3, p = 0.07; I² = 55%; τ² = 0.26), suggesting that differences in trial characteristics (e.g., duration 8–18 weeks, exercise mode, and omega-3 dose/form) contributed to variability in effect sizes. Funnel-plot analysis did not reveal marked asymmetry.

Conclusion: Across randomized trials in older adults, omega-3 supplementation added to exercise achieves a modest but statistically significant reduction in resting IL-6 versus exercise alone, consistent with attenuation of inflammaging.