1 May 2026 | Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy

Effectiveness of different exercise modalities in Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction. A systematic review with network meta-analysis

Juan Manuel Henríquez-Jurado, Iván José Fuentes-Abolafio, Celia García-Conejo, Antonio Ignacio Cuesta-Vargas

Braz J Phys Ther. 2026;30: 101596

Full text access

Open Article

Effects of resistance training on quality of life, fatigue, and pain in patients undergoing cancer treatment: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Pablo Hernández-Nahuelcoy, Joaquín Salazar-Méndez, Ivana Leão Ribeiro, Cristian Salazar-Orellana, Luis Suso-Martí, Joaquín Calatayud, Rubén López-Bueno, Lars Louis Andersen, ... Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés

Braz J Phys Ther. 2026;30: 101595

Highlights

•
RT in patients in breast cancer therapy es effective for reduce fatigue and pain intensity.
•
The maximum effect in reducing fatigue is achieved at 2800 repetitions in breast cancer.
•
The maximum effect in reducing pain intensity is achieved at 8800 repetitions in breast cancer.
•
No significant effect in favor of RT was seen in prostate cancer.
•
Better reporting on resistance exercises is needed.

Full text access

Original research

Reduced handgrip and inspiratory muscle strength are associated with lower lung function and physical capacity in children and adolescents born preterm with very low birth weight

Rafael Oliveira Fernandes, Simone Lanius dos Reis, Laura Silveira de Moura, Marina Abs da Cruz Rodrigues, Victoria Baptista dos Santos, Almiro Sagás Evaristo, Valentina Coutinho Baldoto Gava Chakr, Renato Soibelmann Procianoy, ... Rita C Silveira

Braz J Phys Ther. 2026;30: 101582

Highlights

•
Physical health is impaired in young individuals born preterm in Southern Brazil.
•
Reduced inspiratory muscle strength is observed in children born preterm with VLBW.
•
Reduced handgrip strength is observed in children born preterm with VLBW.
•
Reduced muscle strength is associated with lower lung function in preterm individuals.
•
Reduced muscle strength in preterm-born youth highlights the need for early intervention.

Full text access

Normative data for the balance error scoring system for patients with chronic neck pain

Arisa Leungbootnak, Rungthip Puntumetakul, Thiwaphon Chatprem, Torkamol Hunsawong, Sawitri Wanpen, Rose Boucaut

Braz J Phys Ther. 2026;30: 101585

Full text access

Open Article

Hypopressive exercises for diastasis recti and pelvic floor symptoms in postpartum women: A randomized trial

Sara Emmanuela Moreira, Angélica Lemos Debs, Elder Henrique de Oliveira, Milena Clicia Naves da Silva, Rogério de Melo Costa Pinto, Vanessa Santos Pereira-Baldon

Braz J Phys Ther. 2026;30: 101584

Highlights

•
Hypopressive exercise did not reduce diastasis recti abdominis.
•
Hypopressive exercise was able to improve muscle function in women with diastasis.
•
Women had fewer pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms after hypopressive exercises.

Full text access

Does cryotherapy associated with physical exercise add benefits to pain, function and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis? A randomized controlled trial

Julya Perea, Angelica Viana Ferrari, Hugo Jario Almeida Silva, Ana Elisa Serafim Jorge, Lucas Ogura Dantas, Gabriel Mattos Ferreti, Anderson Aparecido Fogaça, Paula Regina Mendes da Silva Serrão, ... Tania de Fatima Salvini

Braz J Phys Ther. 2026;30: 101594

Highlights

•
Cryotherapy did not result in additional pain reduction at rest when combined with an exercise protocol.
•
Cryotherapy did not result in additional improvements in physical function when combined with an exercise protocol.
•
Cryotherapy did not result in additional improvements in quality of life when combined with an exercise protocol.
•
When participants follow an exercise protocol, cryotherapy does not offer additional effects.
•
There were no differences between using cryotherapy and the sham protocol.

Full text access

Effectiveness of a physical therapy program using peanut ball positions during the first stage of labor on maternal and neonatal outcomes: randomized clinical trial

Rita de Cassia Barros da Silva, Alexandre Delgado, Geyson Alves Marinho, Andrea Lemos

Braz J Phys Ther. 2026;30: 101580

Highlights

•
Peanut ball positioning reduces the duration of labor.
•
Promotes vaginal birth and lowers caesarean rates.
•
The intervention decreases maternal fatigue and anxiety.
•
No adverse maternal or neonatal effects are observed.
•
The physical therapy protocol is safe and practical.

Full text access

Knowledge, self-perception and ability of pelvic floor muscle contraction among Nepalese women with urinary incontinence

B Khadgi, B Stuge, K Bø, R Acharya, C Brandt, A Stensdotter

Braz J Phys Ther. 2026;30: 101598

Highlights

•
Nepalese women showed low knowledge about UI, the PFM and PFMT.
•
Most women in the sample perceived they could contract the PFM.
•
Less than one-third of the women performed a correct PFM contraction.
•
Ability to contract the PFM were not related to knowledge on PFMT or the PFM
•
Self-perception on contraction was contradicting the clinical inability to contract

Full text access