Research Appraisals
Evidence-based critical appraisals of the latest medical research, systematically evaluated using Oxford CEBM methodology.
Showing 6 appraisals
PloS one
A randomised crossover trial comparing photobiomodulation therapy with other recovery strategies in CrossFit athletes
BACKGROUND: This study compared the effects of different therapeutic modalities on recovery following the workout of the day (WOD) in CrossFit athletes, focusing on reducing muscle damage and improving functional performance. METHODS: In a randomised, controlled, crossover design, twelve CrossFit athletes underwent four post-WOD recovery interventions across four weeks: passive recovery (PR), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and photobiomodulation therapy combined with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF). Assessments were conducted at baseline, and at 1, 24, and 48 hours post-WOD. The primary outcome was vertical jump performance (countermovement jump [CMJ] height) at 1-hour post-WOD; secondary outcomes included lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonylated proteins, perceived exertion, and intervention satisfaction. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between interventions in CMJ height at 1-hour post-WOD. In contrast, PBMT-sMF outperformed the other interventions in the secondary outcomes. PBMT-sMF significantly improved CMJ height at 24 and 48 hours compared with PR (p < 0.05) and led to greater reductions in LDH at both time points (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). PBMT-sMF also produced lower TBARS and carbonylated protein levels, with higher CAT and SOD activities at 24 and 48 hours (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively). CAT and SOD activities were also significantly elevated at 1 hour post-WOD compared with PR (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PBMT-sMF may be an effective recovery strategy for CrossFit athletes, with its benefits possibly related to the modulation of oxidative stress as an underlying mechanism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number: NCT06628609.
24 May 2026
Read appraisal →ChemistryOpen
Ionic Hydrogel Triboelectric Sensor for Real-Time Swimming Kinematics Monitoring and Stroke Recognition
Recently, wearable sports electronics have attracted increasing attention for their potential to enable continuous motion tracking and energy-autonomous operation in complex athletic environments. In this work, we present a flexible triboelectric nanogenerator (PAC-TENG) constructed from a PVA/Ala/CaCl2 ionic hydrogel electrode and a compliant silicone triboelectric layer. The PAC hydrogel provides high stretchability, stable ionic conductivity, and strong deformation tolerance, while the silicone surface ensures efficient and repeatable charge generation. Benefiting from this synergistic design, the PAC-TENG achieves excellent electrical outputs, including a peak voltage of 472.9 V, a short-circuit current of 37.1 µA, and a transferred charge of 104.1 nC, along with high power density under matched load. The device exhibits strong sensitivity to bending angle, applied force, and motion frequency, enabling accurate perception of human biomechanics. When mounted on swimming-related joints, the PAC-TENG can reliably monitor stroke patterns and detect abnormal motion signals, highlighting its promise for self-powered aquatic sports analytics and intelligent safety monitoring.
6 May 2026
Read appraisal →Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Artificial intelligence in cancer survivorship: evaluating ChatGPT's performance in rehabilitation-related queries
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT in responding to patient-centered queries related to cancer rehabilitation. It examined the accuracy, completeness, and overall quality of ChatGPT's responses across major domains of cancer rehabilitation from a physical therapy perspective. METHODS: Fifteen representative patient queries covering eight domains of cancer rehabilitation-including general exercise, fatigue, bone metastasis, neuropathy, balance and falls, breast cancer, women's health, and pediatric cancer-were developed by two licensed physical therapists. Each query was input into ChatGPT-4, and responses were independently evaluated for accuracy, completeness, and global quality based on established clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus. RESULTS: ChatGPT demonstrated a mean accuracy score of 3.93 (SD = 1.10) on a 5-point scale, a mean completeness score of 2.13 (SD = 0.83) on a 3-point scale, and a mean global quality score of 3.60 (SD = 1.12) on a 5-point scale. Responses were generally accurate and clinically relevant but often lacked details regarding exercise dosage, safety precautions, and guideline-concordant recommendations. CONCLUSION: ChatGPT shows potential as an accessible tool for general cancer rehabilitation education but requires refinement to ensure accuracy, contextual relevance, and safety. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: AI-driven conversational models may improve patient access to rehabilitation information and self-management support when used under professional oversight and guided by evidence-based frameworks.
19 Apr 2026
Read appraisal →PloS one
Effects of complex training on jump performance and neuromuscular activation in volleyball athletes: A controlled study
This study examined the integrated effects of complex training combining barbell back squats (BBS) and drop jumps (DJ) on jump performance and concentric-phase neuromuscular activation in volleyball athletes. In a randomized controlled design, twenty male volleyball athletes were allocated to an intervention group (IG, n = 10) or a control group (CG, n = 10). The IG completed an 8-week, twice-weekly complex training protocol (BBS followed by DJ), with loads progressively adjusted according to individual 1RM values, whereas the CG performed an intensity-matched BBS protocol. Primary outcomes were countermovement jump (CMJ) and approach jump (AJ) height and propulsion impulse (expressed in BW·s), while concentric-phase integrated electromyography (iEMG) and root mean square (RMS) amplitude were secondary outcomes. The results showed that, compared with the CG, the IG exhibited greater improvements in both CMJ and AJ height (CMJ: Δ = 6.13 vs 2.65 cm; AJ: Δ = 7.28 vs 2.78 cm; both p < 0.05). In addition, gains in propulsion impulse were larger in the IG (CMJ: Δ = 0.06 vs 0.02 BW·s; AJ: Δ = 0.08 vs 0.03 BW·s; both p < 0.05). Furthermore, electromyography revealed task-specific recruitment patterns: under BBS, the quadriceps and tibialis anterior showed higher iEMG and RMS values, whereas under DJ the lateral and medial heads of the gastrocnemius were more strongly activated, indicating complementary effects across key lower-limb muscle groups. Taken together, these findings indicate that an 8-week BBS-DJ complex program, compared with resistance training alone, is more effective in improving jump performance and propulsion impulse and in optimizing task-specific concentric activation patterns of the lower-limb musculature in volleyball athletes, and may serve as a feasible and evidence-based prescription for volleyball-specific conditioning.
12 Apr 2026
Read appraisal →ACS applied materials & interfaces
Textile-Based Wearable Electrothermal Pad Using Woven AgNW/EG-PEDOT:PSS Heaters and PS/PEDOT:PSS Thermistor Yarns
Wearable thermal management devices are gaining increasing attention for healthcare, rehabilitation, and personal comfort applications. Here, we present a textile-based wearable electrothermal pad that integrates a woven heater with a yarn temperature sensor on a flexible, breathable fabric platform. The heater element was fabricated using cotton yarn coated with silver nanowires (AgNW) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) doped with ethylene glycol (EG-PEDOT:PSS), enabling uniform heat distribution, washability, and low-voltage operation. The AgNW/EG-PEDOT:PSS yarn heater rapidly reached 45 °C within 60 s at an applied voltage of 1.5 V and demonstrated good thermal stability and repeatability over 2,000 stretching-releasing cycles. The temperature sensor, based on polystyrene-coated PEDOT:PSS (PS/PEDOT:PSS) yarn, exhibited thermistor behavior with resistance decreasing as the temperature increases. It showed a negative temperature coefficient of resistance of 0.25%°C-1 and a response time of less than 130 s. The yarn temperature sensor also maintained resistance stability under bending and stretching-releasing conditions. To demonstrate a wearable electrotherapy platform, the PS/PEDOT:PSS yarn temperature sensor was integrated with a woven AgNW/EG-PEDOT:PSS heater to enable closed-loop feedback for thermal regulation. Programmable, on-demand thermotherapy and real-time thermal management could be wirelessly controlled via a smartphone. This custom-designed electrothermal pad offers a promising solution for wearable thermotherapy and smart clothing applications.
10 Apr 2026
Read appraisal →PloS one
Effects of virtual reality training on racket sports performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials
BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) interventions are increasingly used in racket sports, and quantitative evidence is emerging. PURPOSE: To synthesise controlled trials examining the effects of VR-based training on racket sports performance outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search of five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO) up to 15 August 2025 was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies were controlled trials (randomised or non-randomised) comparing VR-based training (immersive or exergaming) with non-VR controls in tennis or table tennis players. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2 (randomised) and ROBINS-I (non-randomised). Standardised mean differences (Hedges' g) were pooled using a random-effects model with Paule-Mandel τ² and Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman (HKSJ) adjustment. The protocol was registered (PROSPERO CRD420251132325). RESULTS: Six controlled trials(total N = 426; analysed N = 401) were included. The pooled meta-analysis indicated a moderate overall effect favouring VR (Hedges' g = 0.78; HKSJ 95% CI [0.41, 1.15]), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 52%). The 95% prediction interval was [-0.01, 1.57], which spans the null effect, indicating that in some future populations or settings VR training may not yield a meaningful performance advantage. One trial investigated perceptual-cognitive VR training (Anguera et al., 2025), showing a substantial but imprecise effect (g = 0.81, 95% CI [-0.05, 1.67]). As only a single study was available, this evidence is presented descriptively rather than meta-analytically. A subgroup examination of five physically engaging VR interventions found a similarly large effect (*g* = 0.78, 95% CI [0.31, 1.25]) despite considerable heterogeneity (I² = 62%). CONCLUSION: According to six controlled trials, VR training was associated with average performance enhancements in racket sports; however, the 95% prediction interval [-0.01, 1.57] encompasses the null effect, indicating that a future study could plausibly show no benefit. Due to the limited evidence base (k = 6), significant heterogeneity (I² = 52%), and considerable statistical uncertainty, the existing evidence does not allow for definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of VR. The current findings should be regarded as a preliminary signal rather than confirmation of effectiveness. Larger, more methodologically robust RCTs with standardised outcomes are needed before definitive recommendations can be made.
7 Apr 2026
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