Lorenzo Lippi

Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carità · Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

Introduction: Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by heel pain and functional impairment. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has gained increasing interest in the treatment of PF, but the optimal ESWT program is still debated. Therefore, this systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression ai...

Musculoskeletal disorders are common among older adults, affecting mobility and quality of life. Effective rehabilitation is essential, but the implementation of programs faces challenges. Traditional methods often necessitate in-person assessments, which can be difficult for older adults with mobility limitations. Telerehabilitation offers a solut...

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widely-known disease distinguished by the breakdown of joint cartilage, leading to pain and morning stiffness. In this context, the role of corticosteroids is well known, but there is still a gap of knowledge on the duty of oxygen-ozone therapy (O2-O3). Objective: To evaluate for effectiveness of ultrasound-g...

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) represents a significant clinical challenge due to limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. Beyond mere survivorship, setting up an effective framework to improve functioning and quality of life is an urgent need in the comprehensive management of MPM patients. Therefore, this study aims to review the cur...

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition marked by persistent pain and reduced functionality. Various therapeutic methods have been suggested to alleviate symptoms in individuals with fibromyalgia, yet the impact of diverse rehabilitation strategies remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at assessing...

Background and Objectives: Although the growing literature is now focusing on the long-term effects of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD), there is still a large gap of knowledge about its long-term implications in rehabilitation. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the effects of rehabilitation in PD patients years a...

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) represents a significant health burden, with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Despite advances in pharmacological and surgical interventions, the role of rehabilitation in MPM management remains underexplored. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a tailored pulmonary rehabilitation intervent...

Breast cancer (BC) survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) typically exhibit various pathological issues, including bone loss, poor oral health, and vitamin D deficiency. Nonetheless, chronic oral disorders are even often neglected in women with BC, and explicit indications regarding oral health screening, evaluation, and treatment to pre...

Purpose Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC-OA) is a prevalent hand disorder affecting a growing number of people worldwide. While a multidisciplinary approach might provide additional advantages, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory role of intra-articular oxygen-ozone (O2O3) injections combined with physical therapy is still unknown. To assess...

Although rehabilitation medicine emphasizes a holistic health approach, there is still a large gap of knowledge about potential interventions aimed at improving overall wellbeing through cosmetic interventions. Therefore, this narrative review investigates the role of different rehabilitative techniques in enhancing aesthetics, quality of life, and...

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) causes lateral elbow pain due to the overuse of the common extensor tendon. Several therapies have been proposed for pain relief and functional recovery, including physical therapy, minimally invasive injection approaches, and physical agent modalities such as laser therapy. Methods: Our study evaluates the im...

Cancer pain is one of the most disabling symptoms complained by cancer patients, with a crucial impact on physical and psychological well-being. Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) type A and B have emerged as potential interventions for chronic pain; however, their role in these patients is still debated. Thus, this systematic review of randomized contr...

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is a prevalent condition with socioeconomic and healthcare challenges. The flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) evaluation is a valid clinical tool for low back pain (LBP) assessment. Yoga, a holistic mind-body practice, has been explored as an LBP intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of yog...

Background: Technological advances and digital solutions have been proposed to overcome barriers to sustainable rehabilitation programs in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. However, to date, standardized telemonitoring systems able to precisely assess physical performance and functioning are still lacking. Aim: To validate a new mobile te...

Simple Summary Obesity is a global health challenge closely linked to breast cancer (BC). Recognizing this intricate relationship, our research explores the multifaceted connections between obesity and BC. The aim of this narrative review was to underline the key role of a personalized rehabilitation approach targeting the connection between obesit...

Background: Chest physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of COPD, although the optimal techniques for airway clearance have not been definitively established. Among the different techniques, high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) has gained attention for its potential to create a widespread lung percussion, facilitating the rem...

Background: Vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs) commonly result from low bone mass and microarchitecture deterioration of bone tissue. spinal orthoses are common non-pharmacological options for managing vertebral fracture pain. However, the effects of spinal orthoses on pain, physical functioning, and quality of life (QoL) are still debated. Obj...

Objectives This study aimed to assess the impact of add-on pelvic floor exercises on a weight management rehabilitation program. Patients and methods This proof of principle study was conducted between July 2019 and December 2019. Ninety-three adult female inpatients with obesity and diagnosis of urinary incontinence (UI) were assessed for inclusi...

Background: Impaired physical performance and muscle strength are recognized risk factors for fragility fractures, frequently associated with osteoporosis and sarcopenia. However, the integration of muscle strength and physical performance in the comprehensive assessment of fracture risk is still debated. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aime...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint condition characterized by cartilage deterioration, joint inflammation, and functional limitations, particularly impacting the elderly population. Rehabilitation and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are common therapeutic approaches routinely used in clinical practice, but their synergistic poten...

BACKGROUND: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic progressive disease that impresses a noticeable burden to society and healthcare systems. Physical exercise constitutes the first-line hip OA treatment approach, nevertheless, there is currently no gold standard method to treat this disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of proprioceptive neuro...

Objective This systematic review aimed to evaluate the correlation between vitamin D levels and the rate of tooth movement, external apical root resorption, bone biomarker expression, and bone remodeling. Methods Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were systematically searched from inception until 14th March 2023 to identify studi...

Background: This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current prehabilitation and rehabilitation strategies for thyroid cancer survivors to optimize functional outcomes and enhance their quality of life. Methods: The review follows the SANRA quality criteria and includes an extensive literature search conducted in Pub...

Background: Acute lateral ankle sprains are common injuries among athletes, but the optimal treatment strategies in elite athletes are still debated. This proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the impact of cryo-ultrasound therapy on the short-term recovery of football players with acute lateral ankle sprains. Methods: Semi-professional footbal...

The surgical intervention rate and the subsequent rehabilitation plan for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury was crucially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the necessity in the face of the emergency. This review aimed to evaluate potential persistent and residual symptoms after COVID-19 disease, including fatigue and neuromuscular diso...

Upper-limb lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the arm or hand, resulting in swelling and functional impairment. The accurate and reliable volumetric assessment of limb volume is crucial for the correct management of lymphedema. This narrative review provides an overview of the different methods...

Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training improves muscle strength and functional outcomes, but the proprioceptive implications of this technique in the rehabilitation field are still unknown. Objective: The present study aimed at assessing the effects of BFR in terms of stabilometric and balance performance. Methods: In this pilot ran...

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a crucial issue in current literature due to their impact on physical function, social, and economic costs. Rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in the therapeutic management of these disabling conditions with growing evidence underlining positive effects in improving functional outcomes. However, to date, several...

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling condition characterized by multilevel skeletal muscle impairment and rapid cortical and trabecular bone loss. Rehabilitation is a cornerstone of the long-term management of patients with SCI; however, the optimal rehabilitation strategy for improving bone health has not been fully characterized....

To date, studies focusing on oral health in obese adolescents have provided controversial data. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate systemic and oral health parameters in eutrophic and overweight/obese adolescents. In total, 100 adolescents, mean aged 13.33 ± 2.04 years, were divided into two groups: 59 overweight/obese adolesc...

Background: Establishing baseline measurements on normative data is essential to evaluate standards of care and the impact of clinical or surgical treatments. Hand volume determination is relevant in pathological conditions where the anatomical structures might undergo modifications like post-treatment chronic edema. For example, one of the conseq...

Oxygen-ozone (O2O3) therapy is a spreading intervention proposed to reduce pain intensity and improve physical function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions. The biological effects of O2O3 are strictly related to its biochemical properties. It induces moderate oxidative stress and promotes the activation of specific transcriptional pathways...

Background Several technological advances and digital solutions have been proposed in the recent years to face the emerging need for tele-monitoring older adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, several challenges have negatively influenced an evidence-based approach to improve Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) in t...

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is a detrimental condition affecting a growing number of breast cancer (BC) survivors worldwide [1]. Effective screening programs and early diagnosis are mandatory in the clinical management of this disabling condition and limb volume assessment plays a crucial role [1]. However, a reproducible vo...

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing overall survival of breast cancer (BC) patients, a growing interest has been raised in the current literature on disabling consequences of cancer and its treatment [1,2]. In particular, after radical surgery for BC, patients might frequently be affected by functional limitation of the shoulder joint, potentially re...

Periodontal diseases are oral inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth and include gingivitis and periodontitis. Oral pathogens may lead to microbial products spreading into the systemic circulation and reaching distant organs, while periodontal diseases have been related to low-grade systemic inflammation. G...

Introduction: One of the most common disabling complications in breast cancer (BC) patients is breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), a pathological condition affecting both physical and psychological function, with detrimental consequences on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Rehabilitation has a key role in the comprehensive management...

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to spinal nerve fiber tract damage resulting in functional impairments. Volumetric muscle loss (VML), a skeletal muscle volume abnormal reduction, is represented by atrophy below the injury level. The strategies for VML management included personalized approaches, and no definite indications are available...

Background: Despite the fact that weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) is one of the main rehabilitation goals in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), controversies are still open about the optimal rehabilitation approach. Objective: This systematic review aimed at characterizing the rehabilitation interventions currently available to opt...

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) could be one consequence of breast cancer (BC). Although several risk factors have been identified, a predictive algorithm still needs to be made available to determine the patient’s risk from an ensemble of clinical variables. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the risk of BCRL by invest...

Rehabilitation might improve bone health in breast cancer (BC) patients, but the effects on bone biomarkers are still debated. Thus, this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims at characterizing the impact of rehabilitation on bone health biomarkers in BC survivors. On 2 May 2022, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and PED...

Environment factors play a crucial implication in human health, with strong evidence suggesting that several biological, chemical, physical and social factors could be possible targets to implement effective strategies for human health promotion. On the other hand, a large gap of knowledge still exists about the implications of environmental factor...

In this randomized controlled study, we aimed to assess the effects of US-guided injections of the subacromial bursa followed by a personalized rehabilitation program for breast cancer (BC) survivors. We assessed patients with subacromial pain syndrome without tendon lesions and with a history of post-surgical non-metastatic BC. Thirty-seven patien...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a burdensome condition affecting a growing number of people worldwide, frequently related to major comorbidities and functional impairment. In these patients, several factors might have a role in promoting both bone and muscle loss, including systemic inflammation, corticosteroid therapies, sedentary...

Although a growing body of literature has been emphasizing the role of vitamin D in oral health, there is still a gap of knowledge regarding the correlation between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and vitamin D. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to assess the linkage between hypovitaminosis D and TMDs to map the current literature...

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent condition affecting a growing number of patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with crucial implications for risk of fragility fractures, hospitalization, and mortality. Several risk factors have been identified to have a role in osteoporosis development in COPD patients, including cort...

Introduction: In recent years, growing attention is rising to virtual reality (VR) tools and exergaming in rehabilitation management of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). However, no strong evidence supports the effectiveness of these cutting-edge technologies on cognitive function and the integration of these promising tool in the rehabilitati...

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are musculoskeletal conditions involving masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints. Bibliometric analysis has been introduced as a new method for collecting and analyzing information on scientific articles. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the 50 most cited articles on TMD, per...

Background: Quality of life issues is a crucial burden in breast cancer (BC) survivors with relevant implications in terms of survivorship and health-care costs. The increasing long-term survival of these patients provides new challenges, with translational research now focusing on innovative and tailored approaches to improve their complex managem...

Breast cancer (BC) survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) commonly show several pathological issues, including poor oral health, bone health impairment, and vitamin D deficiency. However, to date, oral health issues in BC survivors treated with AIs have been poorly investigated and their relationship with vitamin D deficiency are far fro...

Background To date, the mitochondrial function has been related to several pathways involved in the cellular aging process. Dietary supplements might have reciprocal and multilevel interactions with mitochondria network; however, no systematic review assessed the role of different nutraceuticals in mitochondria modification of healthy older adults....

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a well-established intervention supported by strong evidence that is used to treat patients affected by chronic respiratory diseases. However, several barriers still affect its spreading in rehabilitation clinical practices. Although chronic respiratory diseases are common age-related disorders, there is still a gap...

Lymphedema is a chronic disabling condition affecting a growing number of patients worldwide. Although lymphedema is not life-threatening, several reports underlined detrimental consequences in terms of distress, pain, functional impairment, and infections with a relevant decrease in quality of life. Currently, there is no cure, and the therapeutic...

Background Previous evidence showed that cellular aging is a multifactorial process that is associated with decline in mitochondrial function. Physical exercise has been proposed as an effective and safe therapeutical intervention to improve the mitochondria network in the adult myocytes. Aims The aim of this systematic review of randomized contro...

Background: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is one of the most prevalent and underrecognized disorders affecting breast cancer (BC) women. However, the optimal therapeutic strategy to manage AWS is far from being fully characterized. Therefore, this systematic review aims to provide a broad overview of the available rehabilitation treatments in this b...

We aimed to investigate the reproducibility and accuracy of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry (REMS) for femoral BMD estimation and the reproducibility and discriminative power of the REMS-derived femoral fragility score. 175 patients with primary and disuse-related osteoporosis were recruited: one femoral Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiomet...

In medicine, tridimensional scanning devices produce digital surfaces that replicate the bodies of patients, facilitating anthropometric measurement and limb volume quantification in pathological conditions. Free programs that address this task are not commonly found, with doctors mainly relying on proprietary software. This aspect brings reduced r...

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is currently considered a life-saving intervention. However, growing evidence highlighted that prolonged MV significantly affects functional outcomes and length of stay. In this scenario, controversies are still open about the optimal rehabilitation strategies for improving MV duration in ICU patients. In addition, the e...

Although botulinum toxin (BoNT) has been suggested as a treatment to counter neuropathic pain, no previous systematic reviews investigated the multidimensional effects of BoNT on pain relief and Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL). The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current evidence on the effectiveness of BoNT treatment for...

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignant tumor in women in Europe and North America, and the use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) is recommended in women affected by estrogen receptor-positive BCs. AIs, by inhibiting the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogen, cause a decrement in bone mineral density (BMD), with a consequent increased...

Background: Sacro-iliac joint (SIJ) pain is an often-misdiagnosed cause (up to 30% cases) of atypical low back pain (LBP) that might be treated with a wide range of conservative interventions. However, Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) ultrasound-guided injections at SIJ level in subjects with mitochondrial disorders have not yet been investigated. Case...

Padel is a racket sport that has been gaining great popularity and scientific interest in recent years. It could be considered to be a high-intensity intermittent sport with valuable cardiovascular and neuromuscular benefits; however, the risk of injury cannot be neglected. To date, there is still a gap of knowledge in the scientific literature on...

To date, the application of oxygen-ozone (O2O3) therapy has significantly increased in the common clinical practice in several pathological conditions. However, beyond the favorable clinical effects, the biochemical effects of O2O3 are still far from being understood. This comprehensive review aimed at investigating the state of the art about the e...

Frailty is a highly prevalent condition in the elderly that has been increasingly considered as a crucial public health issue, due to the strict correlation with a higher risk of fragility fractures, hospitalization, and mortality. Among the age-related diseases, sarcopenia and dysphagia are two common pathological conditions in frail older people...

BACKGROUND. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) represent a cornerstone of hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancers management. However, AIs-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) might be frequently reported during estrogen depletion, with a crucial impact on cancer treatment adherence [1-2]. To date, physical exercise has been proposed as a promisi...

Background Cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) is a frequent complication of breast cancer therapies affecting both disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). To date, there is still a lack of consensus about the most effective approach that would improve bone health and HRQoL. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review of rand...

COVID-19 athletes reported persistent and residual symptoms many weeks after initial infection, including cough, fatigue, and neuromuscular disorders. Poor neuromuscular control may cause inefficient movement strategies increasing anterior cruciate ligament load. This is particularly relevant in female athletes, who show a 3-time higher risk than m...