Background. Although regulatory requirements for assessing the efficiency of medical rehabilitation have been established in the Russian Federation, a unified, conceptually structured system of indicators consistent with international frameworks still needs to be developed. Due to the disparity of indicators across departments, regional data become difficult to compare and further integrate into international monitoring.

Objective: To develop a conceptual model and matrix of basic indicators that evaluate the performance of the medical rehabilitation system in the Russian Federation by integrating the Donabedian model, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), and framework documents from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Material and methods. A targeted documentary and literature review was conducted that examined the Russian regulations (GOST R 58258-2018 and GOST R 58259-2018); the 2024 methodological recommendations of the Federal Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise; the 2019 WHO documents “Rehabilitation in Health Systems: Guide for Action” and “Rehabilitation Indicator Menu” (RIM). Fifteen key publications on conceptual frameworks for assessing the quality of rehabilitation were also examined. Content analysis and coding were conducted according to Donabedian model, ICF domains, and system level.

Results. While the Russian healthcare regulatory framework has structural and effective elements, it lacks process indicators and planned monitoring of rehabilitation coverage. Three critical gaps were identified in the comparison with RIM, including the absence of patient-centered outcomes as a mandatory component, economic indicators, and national-level coverage monitoring. A conceptual, three-layer model was developed based on the Donabedian model, the ICF domain, and the system level. A matrix of 20 basic indicators was proposed, involving 5 structural, 7 process, and 8 outcome indicators.

Сonclusion. The proposed conceptual model creates a systematic basis for monitoring the efficiency of medical rehabilitation in the Russian Federation and provides conditions for harmonizing national data with international WHO standards.

Background. Dementia is one of the leading causes of disability among older adults that requires significant rehabilitation services. In Russia, the population aging is expected to increase the number of people with dementia and associated functional limitations. However, rehabilitation needs for this condition have not been quantitatively assessed.

Objective: To estimate the magnitude and trends in rehabilitation need of people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in Russia.

Material and methods. A secondary analysis was conducted using aggregated data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) program 2023 and the World Health Organization (WHO) Rehabilitation Need Estimator for the years 1990–2021; the latter is a joint project of the WHO and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Crude and age-standardized indicators of the need for rehabilitation were analyzed, including prevalence, years lived with disability (YLD) per 100,000 population, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) per 100,000 population. Then, the dynamics of these indicators and age–sex structure for Russia were assessed and compared with those of the WHO European Region for 2019.

Results. Age-standardized prevalence of rehabilitation need declined from 693.5 cases per 100,000 in 1990 to 673.4 cases per 100,000 in 2021 (–2.9%). The age-standardized YLD rate decreased from 154.7 to 147.1 per 100,000 (–4.9%). According to GBD 2023 data, the crude DALY rate increased from 384.8 in 1990 to 631.0 in 2019 per 100,000, indicating a growth of the absolute burden (+64.0%). Female YLD (159.4) was 1.33 times higher than male YLD (119.6 per 100,000). Notably, the YLD in the 95+ age group was found to be 19 times higher than in the 65–69 age group, thus reflecting a sharp age gradient. Crude rates of DALY, YLD, mortality, and prevalence in Russia were 24–34% lower than the average for the WHO European Region.

Conclusion. Although age-standardized rates have stabilized, the absolute need for rehabilitation in Russia is increasing and will continue to grow due to population aging. Lower rates compared with Europe probably reflect higher premature mortality and underdiagnosis of dementia rather than favorable conditions. Thus, integrating rehabilitation into dementia care pathways is an urgent priority in the healthcare system.

Background. Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant problem in gynecologic oncology, occupying leading positions in the morbidity structure among women. Current treatment methods have a substantial impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. However, data on the dynamics of QoL during the rehabilitation process in patients with CC across different stages are insufficient. Objective: To analyze the QoL dynamics during the rehabilitation period in CC patients who received various treatment modalities over a 3-year follow-up period, using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G) questionnaire with extension for CC.

Material and methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 302 patients with verified CC. The participants were divided into four groups in accordance with disease stage and treatment modality, ranging from conization for carcinoma in situ to chemoradiotherapy for stage III, and a control group (n=43). The rehabilitation program integrated prehabilitation and subsequent rehabilitation, combining pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and psychotherapeutic approaches. QoL was assessed before treatment, at 1 week, 1, 3, 6, 12 months, 2 and 3 years.

Results. Before treatment, all groups of CC patients had significantly lower QoL scores compared to the control group (total FACT-G score: from 78.3±6.1 in Group 0 to 54.2±7.2 in Group 3 vs. 97.5±5.4 in the control group; p<0.05). The dynamics of QoL were biphasic: an acute decline in the early period (1 week 1 month) followed by gradual recovery. Patients with early-stage disease (Group 0) showed the fastest and most complete recovery to the control group’s level by the 6[th] month. In Group 3 (chemoradiotherapy), recovery was the slowest and most incomplete: at 3 years, the total FACT-G score (82.3±6.3) remained significantly below control values (p<0.05). The greatest impairments were observed in “physical well-being” and “emotional well-being” domains.

Conclusion. The QoL during the rehabilitation period fluctuates due to treatment modality and therapy extent. While patients after fertility-sparing surgeries have the most favorable prognosis for recovery, patients after chemoradiotherapy require the most intense and prolonged rehabilitation. The obtained data can be used to develop personalized rehabilitation programs.

Contemporary surgical procedures are increasingly becoming more complicated and extensive, often requiring the removal of large volumes of tissue and resulting in significant changes to the patient's internal anatomy. Due to the advancements in anesthesia care, these operations can be performed successfully with a low risk of severe intraoperative complications. However, the postoperative period can pose some risks, including seromas, gastrointestinal motility disorders, wound suppuration and dehiscence. While not life-threatening, they can increase hospital stays and lead to more severe complications. Therefore, such events should be stopped immediately, and, preferably, prevented by introducing prophylactic measures into clinical practice.

The assessment of a patient’s quality of life (QoL) is an integral part of personalized treatment and rehabilitation programs. Although this method of assessing health status has been widely used, the past 10 years have seen prerequisites emerge for transforming this group of tools. This study reviews the evolution of concepts regarding patient QoL and changes in approaches to its assessment. Various methods are presented, ranging from questionnaires focused on social well-being to forms and scales used in routine clinical practice to monitor physical condition and determine the effectiveness of a chosen rehabilitation program. A shift towards a patient-oriented approach, replacing the previous focus on diagnosing diseases and complications, is demonstrated. A trend toward the digitalization of QoL assessment using remote monitoring systems is outlined, along with the obstacles to implementing this practice in Russian clinical settings. Studies have been identified that confirm the possibility of creating a unified system for remote assessment of patient QoL and scaling this approach.

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common disorder involving localized or referred pain that originates from trigger points in muscles and fascia. In many cases, its treatment is either inappropriate or delayed, leading to a reduced quality of life for patients. This is due to incomplete comprehension of the mechanisms underlying myofascial pain, the lack of uniform diagnostic criteria, and the absence of standard treatment protocols. This review aims to summarize, systematize, and evaluate the available data on treatment and rehabilitation methods used in clinical practice for patients with MPS. Numerous systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and individual studies were analyzed revealing that pharmacological methods include the oral administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioid analgesics, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and antiepileptic drugs. Topical anesthetics are also used in these approaches, either in the form of patches or creams; as well as injections into trigger points. Among the physical methods are dry needling, acupuncture, manual therapy, kinesiotherapy, shockwave therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, magnetic stimulation, phototherapy, and ultrasound therapy. As first-line therapy, topical anesthetics combined with non-invasive physical methods can be considered. MPS treatment requires a comprehensive and personalized approach. Positive treatment results and patient recovery depend on rehabilitation measures, particularly regular exercise, psychological support, and a healthy lifestyle.

Malignant neoplasms (MNs) of the respiratory system remain among the leading causes of oncological morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite substantial advances in surgical treatment, systemic therapy, and radiotherapy, many patients experience reduced functional reserve, impaired physical performance, respiratory symptoms, and diminished quality of life. Therefore, rehabilitation has become an essential component of comprehensive cancer care throughout the treatment continuum. This review summarizes findings on the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for patients with MNs of the respiratory system during prehabilitation, surgical treatment, systemic therapy, and radiotherapy. Clinical studies on exercise training, pulmonary rehabilitation, nutritional and psychological support, as well as multimodal rehabilitation programs are examined. The strongest evidence base has been accumulated regarding prehabilitation before surgery and comprehensive rehabilitation programs for patients with lung cancer. Rehabilitation measures have been shown to reduce postoperative complications, preserve functional status, alleviate symptom burden, and maintain quality of life. However, the effectiveness of specific rehabilitation approaches during radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy has received less attention, thus requiring further research. Rehabilitation measures should be integrated into the care system for patients with MNs of the respiratory system, considering treatment stage, functional state, and individual needs.

Background. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain among the leading causes of mortality and disability, thereby underscoring the clinical and socioeconomic relevance of medical rehabilitation and secondary prevention. Cardiac rehabilitation uses a multidisciplinary approach that includes exercise training, modifying risk factors, educating patients, providing psychosocial support, and improving adherence.

Objective: To summarize recent data on effective methods of medical rehabilitation and health resort treatment for CVD patients.

Material and methods. The literature search covered publications between 2014 and 2026 from the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and eLibrary databases. Inclusion priority was given to clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials in Russian and English focusing on cardiac rehabilitation, secondary prevention, telerehabilitation, and health resort treatment for CVD patients. For certain fundamental and methodological provisions, earlier sources (1996–2011) were also used.

Results. The basic principles and stages of cardiac rehabilitation were examined, including the evidence base for exercise training in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure, as well as those who have undergone percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary artery bypass grafting. Additionally, the feasibility of high-intensity interval and strength training was discussed. Particular attention was paid to health resort treatment as the second stage of rehabilitation within the Russian healthcare system, including balneotherapy, peloid therapy, and climatotherapy; their potential impact on hemodynamics, exercise tolerance, and the psycho-emotional status of CVD patients was thoroughly analyzed. Psychosocial, nutritional, and organizational aspects of rehabilitation were considered, along with the role of telerehabilitation and home-based programs in improving access to care.

Conclusion. Evidence suggests that cardiac rehabilitation improves quality of life and reduces the frequency of hospitalizations and adverse cardiovascular events. Moreover, health resort stage can be considered a significant component of comprehensive rehabilitation, provided that patients are properly selected and the methods used are further standardized.