Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Practice

Background: Chronic pain often includes unrecognized neuropathic and autonomic components that are not fully captured by routine clinical examination, potentially delaying accurate diagnosis and prolonging opioid therapy—particularly concerning in high-risk populations identified by elevated Narcotic Risk Index (NARX) scores.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is used in various fields, including rehabilitation. The main goal of using this technology is to enhance the performance of individuals with different disorders. Additionally, AI is utilized to improve diagnostic procedures and monitor the progress of patients. The main question that arises is how AI impacts the field of rehabilitation and what are the advantages and disadvantages of using this technology in rehabilitation.

The collection of articles in this issue of the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Practice presents a compelling and thoughtfully curated snapshot of the contemporary rehabilitation landscape. This journal continues to demonstrate its commitment to publishing high-impact, socially relevant research that pushes the boundaries of the field.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients experience severe physical deconditioning due to extremely low physical activity, prolonged sedentary behavior, and progressive muscle wasting. These changes accelerate frailty, impair functional independence, reduce quality of life (QoL), and increase hospitalization and mortality risks. Sarcopenia is now recognized as a key predictor of poor outcomes in this population.

Background: The opioid epidemic highlights the need for objective biomarkers that identify high-risk chronic pain patients before overdose events occur. Existing prescription drug monitoring programs such as the NARX score are primarily reactive, underscoring the potential value of physiologic and behavioral risk markers.

Skin repair depends on balanced inflammation, oxidative control, and growth-factor signaling. Disruption of these events delays healing and leads to chronic wounds. Nigella sativa (black seed) contains bioactive compounds such as thymoquinone with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but its integrated effect on dermal repair remains unclear.

Health and Safety (H&S) regulation has been one of the most successful public health interventions of the twentieth century, dramatically reducing fatal workplace injuries in high-income countries. However, while H&S has been effective in preventing death and acute injury, it has been far less effective in addressing the dominant occupational health problem of the contemporary workforce: work-related disability.

Background: Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, affecting a significant proportion of the adult population. Despite the availability of various treatment modalities, there remains variability in clinical practice and outcomes.