International Journal of Physical Therapy Research & Practice

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Critical Review of Therapeutic Evidence and Clinical Utility

Mohamed Merza Khalil AlRayes — 2025-08-31

Objective: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has emerged as a prominent modality in musculoskeletal medicine due to its autologous nature and potential to enhance tissue healing through growth factor release. Although widely adopted, clinical outcomes exhibit variability across studies. Therefore, this review critically evaluates the therapeutic efficacy and methodological quality of PRP applications in musculoskeletal disorders, focusing on tendinopathies, cartilage degeneration, acute muscle injuries, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair. Methods: A structured narrative synthesis was conducted using 11 peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2025. These included randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and retrospective analyses. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2 and SANRA tools, with thematic synthesis organized by condition type. Results: PRP demonstrated short-term benefits in pain reduction and functional improvement, particularly in tendinopathies and mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis. Leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP) and PBMNC-enriched formulations showed superior outcomes. However, evidence for cartilage regeneration, ACL repair, and acute muscle injuries remains inconclusive due to protocol variability and moderate risk of bias. Conclusion: PRP therapy offers selective clinical utility in musculoskeletal care, especially for chronic tendinopathies and early-stage osteoarthritis. Standardization of PRP protocols, long-term outcome studies, and identification of patient-specific predictors are essential to optimize its therapeutic role.

A Review of Falls Among Older Adults in Saudi Arabia: Risk Factors, Outcomes, and Prevention Strategies

Mohammed M. Althomali — 2025-08-31

Falls among older adults in Saudi Arabia pose a significant and growing public health concern, with studies reporting prevalence rates exceeding 47%. These events contribute to physical injuries and psychological distress, longer hospital stays, and rising healthcare costs. This narrative review synthesizes recent findings on the prevalence, underlying risk factors, outcomes, and strategies aimed at preventing falls in this population. Key contributors to fall risk in Saudi Arabia were found to include both intrinsic factors, such as chronic health conditions, limited mobility, obesity, vision problems, mental health issues, and polypharmacy, and extrinsic factors like environmental hazards and inadequate safety measures. Despite growing awareness and various preventive efforts, initiatives such as environmental modifications, the use of assistive devices, and closer hospital monitoring, falls remain common across both community and healthcare settings. The literature points to several effective interventions, including personalized risk assessments, home and facility modifications, medication management, structured exercise programs, and better training for caregivers and medical staff. However, a noticeable gap remains between what is known and what is actually implemented. This underscores the urgent need for stronger implementation of fall prevention strategies. Moving forward, a coordinated, multimodal approach tailored to Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system is essential to reduce fall-related incidents and improve the well-being of older adults.

Association between chronic neck pain, disability, and Physical Activity among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hana Alsobayel — 2025-08-31

BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition among healthcare workers, often contributing to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and career dissatisfaction. Despite their vulnerability due to high occupational demands, the relationship between neck pain, disability, and lifestyle factors such as physical activity remains insufficiently explored in this group. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between chronic neck pain, disability, and physical activity levels among healthcare workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers at Prince Sultan Military Medical City. Participants completed a structured questionnaire that included demographic and health data, the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain intensity, the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for disability, the extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS: Thirty healthcare workers (83% female) from multiple professions participated. The mean chronic neck pain score was 5.10 (SD = 1.81), and the mean NDI score was 20.25 (SD = 9.73). A high physical activity level was reported by 70% of participants. Significant correlations were observed: a moderate positive correlation between neck pain and disability (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) and a fair positive correlation between neck pain and physical activity (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic neck pain appears prevalent among healthcare workers and is moderately associated with disability. Interestingly, higher pain levels were also correlated with higher physical activity, warranting further investigation. Given the small sample size, findings should be interpreted cautiously. Larger, longitudinal studies are recommended to understand risk factors better and to guide preventive and occupational health strategies.