Tarbiat Modares UniversityInternational Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention2476-527910320251001Metaphors: Another Explanation in the Expression of Pain in Patients124412452762810.48311/ijmpp.2025.110574.0ENAmenesadatTahamiMaster of Science in Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Electronics Branch.Journal Article20250822According to two articles published in this journal with the titles of "Conceptual Metaphors of Pain in Persian: A Cognitive Analysis. IJMPP 2021, 6(2):496-501. [1]" and "Understanding Cancer Patients' Lived Experience of Pain through Metaphors: A Qualitative Study. IJMPP 2022; 7(3):759-764. [2]", and another additional source; "Pain Metaphors as a Bridge between Physician and Patient: An Interdisciplinary Approach. [3]" The first article considers common pain metaphors among Persian speakers. In the second article, several common metaphors used by cancer patients are explained in a purely cognitive manner. The third article, interestingly, states that conceptual metaphors can unconsciously play a significant role in the relationship between the patient and therapist. All of these articles and findings are new in some way and have recently entered the Iranian research literature. What emerges from the results of these studies is that although pain has both physiological and psychological aspects, and targets the quality of life of humans [4], it also has another important aspect, which is that pain has a language, and its language is metaphorical, and it can be assessed with tools related to pain metaphors [5]. As a result, publishing these types of articles reminds readers that this scientific journal values articles on pain from various and interdisciplinary perspectives. <br> https://ijmpp.modares.ac.ir/article_27628_3d2d0418e6f72774f366f5d741b8a6ad.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInternational Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention2476-527910320251001The roles of osteoprotegerin in bone diseases: a brief review124612532763210.48311/ijmpp.2025.110577.0ENMasoumehMohammadiSport Medicine and Knee Research Center, Milad Hospital, Tehran, Iran.0000-0002-4849-2521AlirezaJalaliSport Medicine and Knee Research Center, Milad Hospital, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20250913Aim: This article aims to highlight the crucial role of Osteoprotegerin (OPG) in bone homeostasis and to propose it as a potential therapeutic target for common bone diseases.<br>Method and Materials: A literature review was conducted focusing on the structure, function, and regulatory effects of OPG on osteoclast activity, as well as its mechanism as a decoy receptor that inhibits osteoclast formation.<br>Findings: Evidence indicates that OPG plays a protective role against excessive bone loss by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activity. Its unique structure, consisting of a signal peptide and seven functional domains, enables it to act effectively in the extracellular space to maintain bone balance.<br>Conclusion: OPG is a key regulator of bone metabolism and may represent a promising therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of bone-related disorders. Increased attention to this protein could lead to innovative therapeutic strategies in metabolic bone disease management.<br><br> https://ijmpp.modares.ac.ir/article_27632_0753a43a5366ab9a63697fd9f3abfb9d.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInternational Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention2476-527910320251001A Brief Review of Cellular and Molecular Changes in Chondromalacia125412602762910.48311/ijmpp.2025.110570.0ENMasoumehMohammadiKnee and Sport Medicine Research Center, Milad General Hospital, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-4849-2521AlirezaJalaliKnee and Sport Medicine Research Center, Milad General Hospital, Tehran, IranMikaielHajializadeKnee and Sport Medicine Research Center, Milad General Hospital, Tehran, IranJournal Article20250514Aims: Chondromalacia is a condition that transparent cartilage on the surface of a bone joint turns soft and swollen and followed by the fibrillation, and degeneration of the cartilage. Its exact cause is unknown. We decided to review the existing literature on cellular and tissue changes in cartilage and use them to help future studies in chondromalacia.<br>Method and Materials: In this study key search was done until March 2025, in databases of science direct, web of science, pubMed, scopus, magiran and google scholar. Keywords were chondromalacia, articular cartilage, genetic, extracellular matrix (ECM), chondroitin sulfate, proteoglycan, collagen, mitochondrial dysfunction and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS).<br>Findings: Chondromalacia represents a critical early stage in joint degeneration that, if left untreated, has the potential to progress to severe joint damage. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a good prognosis in patients with chondromalacia and can prevent more serious joint problems.<br>Conclusion: Studying the molecular system of articular cartilage will not only reveal new pathways that influence the development of cartilage-related diseases, but also pave the way for new therapeutic approaches.<br> https://ijmpp.modares.ac.ir/article_27629_76cb696d89f827c907d66d9388d96553.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInternational Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention2476-527910320251001Efficacy of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization with Hip Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion, and Kinesiophobia in Older Women with Chronic Low Back Pain126112712763110.48311/ijmpp.2025.110576.0ENZahraMostaghimiBu-Ali Sina UniversityFarzanehSakiDepartment of Exercise Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sports Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.MaryamNematiBu-Ali Sina UniversityRaziyehTaheriDepartment of Exercise Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sports Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.Journal Article20251004Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) combined with hip strengthening exercises on pain, Range of Motion (ROM), and kinesiophobia in older women with chronic low back pain.<br>Method and Materials: Thirty-two older women with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) participated and were randomly assigned to either the DNS or DNS with hip strengthening (DNSH) exercise groups. Both groups received training over eight weeks. Lumbar ROM was assessed using a tape measure, pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and kinesiophobia was evaluated using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia.<br>Findings: Significant intergroup differences were found in lumbar flexion and extension ROM, with greater improvements in the combined group (p < 0.05). No significant differences occurred in pain or kinesiophobia (p > 0.05). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements from pre- to post-measures in all aspects (p < 0.01).<br>Conclusion: Combining DNS with hip strengthening exercises effectively enhances lumbar ROM in older women with CLBP, offering a practical approach for improving mobility. While pain and kinesiophobia improvements were comparable across groups, this combined intervention can be prioritized for mobility-focused rehabilitation programs.https://ijmpp.modares.ac.ir/article_27631_e3354d31c6019a82e5f8d20088c5afdb.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInternational Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention2476-527910320251001Effect of Training Environment on Pain, Stability, Functional Disability, and Motor Control in Swimmers with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome127212802763310.48311/ijmpp.2025.110578.0ENFaribaBahrami EyvanakiPhD Candidate in Corrective Exercise and Sports Injury, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Caspian Campus, Tehran, IranSeyed HamedMousaviPhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Injuries and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-2906-2101HoomanMinoonejadPhD, Associate Professor, Department of Sports Injuries and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-5983-8102Journal Article20250914Aims: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a prevalent issue in swimmers, impacting pain, stability, and motor control. This study compares the effects of various training environments on these outcomes in swimmers with SIS.<br>Method: Thirty female swimmers with SIS were randomly assigned to land-based training (LBT, n=15) or water-based training (WBT, n=14) groups. Assessments included pain (VAS), stability (Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test), functional disability (DASH), and proprioception (JPS error), measured pre- and post-intervention. The 24-session programs involved progressive stretching and resistance exercises, with intensity adjusted biweekly using the Borg scale (RPE 9–11). Data were analyzed using ANCOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test.<br>Findings: WBT led to greater improvements in pain (ŋ² = 0.94), Y-Balance (ŋ² = 0.89), and functional disability (DASH; ŋ² = 0.31) compared to LBT (all p < 0.01). However, LBT showed superior proprioception with smaller joint position errors in internal rotation, external rotation, and abduction (all p < 0.05).<br>Conclusion: WBT effectively reduces pain and disability and enhances stability, while LBT improve proprioception, and combining both approaches may optimize overall rehabilitation and functional recovery in SIS.<br> https://ijmpp.modares.ac.ir/article_27633_13f23623684f53a45a8560f79cce5411.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInternational Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention2476-527910320251001Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Muscle Fatigue on Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Women with Flexible Flatfoot128112862763010.48311/ijmpp.2025.110575.0ENMahsaMohammadiDepartment of Corrective Exercise & Sport Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, IranHashemPiriDepartment of Corrective Exercise & Sport Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, IranRahmanSheikhhoseiniDepartment of Corrective Exercise & Sport Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, IranEbrahimEbrahimiDepartment of Corrective Exercise & Sport Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20250827Aims: Flatfoot is associated with altered knee kinematics, as well as knee pain. Yet, there is a lack of evidence about gait parameters after fatigue in flatfoot individuals. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles’ fatigue on spatiotemporal parameters during walking of women with flexible flatfoot.<br>Method and Materials: This study included 20 women with flexible flatfoot. They were divided into intrinsic muscles fatigue (N=10) and extrinsic muscles fatigue groups (N=10). Foot Posture Index and Zebris FDM-T Treadmill were used to assess flatfoot and spatiotemporal parameters, respectively. Also, fatigue was applied with paper grip and heel-rise endurance tests. Covariance (ANCOVA) and Quade's tests were utilized for inferential statistics. Data analysis was conducted at a significance level of 95%.<br>Findings: The findings showed there is no significant difference between intrinsic and extrinsic muscle fatigue on spatiotemporal gait parameters in women with flatfoot during treadmill walking (P>0.05).<br>Conclusion: This study indicated that intrinsic and extrinsic muscles fatigue may not affect spatiotemporal parameters in individuals with flexible flatfoot. These findings highlight the robustness and adaptability of gait mechanics under fatigue, even with postural foot abnormalities.https://ijmpp.modares.ac.ir/article_27630_4e111a3fe1958d7f4c0215bba108df0e.pdf