Health Promotion & Physical Activity

International Scientific and Training Meeting: Robotics and Modern Forms of Education in Medical Professions September 3rd, 2025, Kraków, Poland

2026-06-09T08:34:11+02:00

About the Meeting

We are presenting abstracts from the presentations from the international conference held in Krakow on September 3, 2025. The proceedings were divided into two thematic Sessions: 1: Modern Technologies in the Service of Precision and Prevention, and 2: Education, Communication, and Personalizing Innovation.

The first session of the conference opened the world of medicine, where advanced technology is becoming an integral element of patient care, from prevention to complex surgical interventions. The session began with a reflection on robot-assisted surgery in gynecology and general surgery, which, thanks to 3D visualization and exceptional precision, is redefining the standards of minimally invasive surgery. However, it is important to emphasize that this technology must be paired with proactive disease prevention, which is the foundation of modern care. This section also explores artificial intelligence and machine learning, which are revolutionizing obstetric and neonatal care through early risk stratification and clinical decision support in intensive care units. A breakthrough in neurorehabilitation was also presented, where systems based on the principles of neuroplasticity and brain-computer interfaces are opening up new possibilities for patients’ recovery. An important point about education rounded out the discussion: high-fidelity medical simulation allows for the development of technical competences, while also reminding them that robots cannot replace empathy, and that the heart of medicine remains the human relationship.

In the second session, the focus shifted to the process of developing medical staff and adapting innovations to individual patient needs. The discussion began with the question of how to educate a master surgeon who combines theoretical knowledge with courage and critical thinking, treating recommendations as guideposts rather than rigid algorithms. An important element of modern education, also addressed during this session, was intercultural communication, which is becoming an indispensable tool in the hands of physiotherapists working in diverse social environments. This session also provided a forum for presenting specific technological solutions, such as innovative weight-bearing support systems (BWS) and telemedicine applications based on artificial neural networks that automate the selection of orthopedic equipment. The issue of identifying technological gaps in exoskeleton design was also addressed, in order to create modular solutions better tailored to patient needs. It demonstrated how modern vision and VR systems can support home rehabilitation and how urban architecture can promote mobility. The session concluded with a presentation on the role of simulation laboratories as a foundation for preparing health sciences students for the challenges of real-world clinical work.

Prof. Joanna Golec, PhD (Chair of the Scientific Committee)
Teresa Gniewek, PhD (Chair of the Organizing Committee)

Increasing HPV vaccination rates

2026-06-10T23:23:24+02:00

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the implementation of HPV vaccinations among age cohorts covered by the program at the national, county, and specific healthcare facility levels.

Material and methods: The study data were obtained from the website https://ezdrowie.gov.pl/portal/home/badania-i-dane/raport-o-szczepieniach-przeciwko-wirusowi-brodawczaka-ludzkiego-hpv, which presents the current level of vaccinated children, as well as data on vaccinations administered at the Public Independent Center in Radłów.

Results: The HPV vaccination coverage rate in Poland is low. Among children eligible for free vaccination, the rate of completed vaccinations ranges between 30% and 40%. Communication with parents, who were provided with information about vaccination options and diseases caused by the HPV virus, had a significant impact on vaccination rates.

Conclusion: Discussions with parents about vaccination contribute to an increase in the number of vaccinations administered. These discussions should be continued, and the public should be educated about the benefits of vaccination.

Golden Minute at risk

2026-04-18T21:46:33+02:00

Dear Editors,
Pakistan has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in the world. The main causes are well known – birth asphyxia, prematurity, and infection.1 These are not rare or unexpected problems. In many cases, they are preventable. Yet they continue to account for a large number of neonatal deaths, particularly in busy public-sector hospitals.
Civil Hospital Karachi is one such setting. It serves a very large population and manages a constant, high volume of deliveries. In this environment, the difficulty is not recognizing neonatal illness but providing timely care, the moment it is needed most (...).

A pilot holistic exercise protocol for improving quality of life

2026-04-20T16:29:20+02:00

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a new HMP method, a mind–body exercise protocol, on health-related Quality of Life(QoL) in adults and to explore possible differences by gender and age. A pilot longitudinal study was conducted involving 171 adults (female: 151, male: 20) who completed a 10-week exercise program consisting of one supervised session per week. The protocol integrated self-body awareness, postural control, breathing regulation, muscle activation–relaxation, and multisensory stimulation exercises. Quality of life was assessed before and after the intervention using the Italian version of the SF-36 Health Survey. A two-way ANCOVA was used to evaluate pre-post changes, accounting for the interaction between gender and age categories.Significant improvements were observed across several SF-36 domains following the intervention. Notable gains were observed in physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, and mental health, with medium to large effect sizes in the physical domains. Improvements were independent of gender and age, although an interaction effect between gender and age emerged for physical functioning in the oldest participants.The proposed method appears to be an effective, low-dose HMP, suggesting that it may enhance multiple dimensions of adult QoL. These preliminary findings support the potential role of mind–body practices as accessible health-promotion strategies.

Patients’ experiences of self-management and strategies of dealing with chronic non-specific low back pain in South Africa

2026-06-09T08:47:09+02:00

Purpose: This study aimed to explore patients’ experiences of self-management interventions for chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and to examine how cultural beliefs and contextual factors influence the implementation and effectiveness of these interventions.

Material and methods: This qualitative study included 60 participants with CNLBP aged ≥ 18 years. Face-to-face focus group interviews (FGDs) of ten groups (six per group) were conducted in June 2025 to December 2025, lasting up to 90 minutes each. FGDs were conducted in the local languages Sepedi, Zulu, and Tsonga. Inductive thematic analysis using Atlas-ti software included transcript familiarisation, coding, and theme development. Results were validated by a research team.

Results: All FGDs were completed, with data saturation reached at the eight FGD. The main themes that emerged were elements of treatment, participants' beliefs, social influence and coping mechanisms. Treatment categories included medication and rest, exercises, traditional/home modalities for self-management, education, and physiotherapy consultation. Participants reported hot water bottles, massage, exercise, and education as main SMIs, while some relied on medication and rest.

Conclusion: The CNLBP was largely perceived to have structural causes, although some participants linked symptoms to witchcraft. Exercise and education were viewed as key management strategies, supported by self-management practices such as massage and hot water bottles, alongside traditional medicine. Limited finances restricted access to care. Multidisciplinary, culturally responsive and biopsychosocial approaches, including digital self-management interventions, are required in rural LMIC settings.