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© Anthony Novello
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In each episode, one research article will be dissected in plain, clear language—no opinions, just evidence. We will do a deep dive into the world of health & wellness, physical medicine & rehab, and pain. The focus is on detailed explanations that help you understand the evidence and apply it to real life. Whether you're an athlete, a healthcare provider, someone who enjoys staying informed, or just getting started with health and wellness, this podcast makes research easy to follow, digest, and use—without the jargon.
Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT
https://www.instagram.com/anthonynovello.dpt/
Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT
https://www.instagram.com/anthonynovello.dpt/
52 Episodes
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This episode does a deep dive into an article that argues that the current Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 0.8 g protein per kg of body weight for adults is insufficient for older individuals, particularly for maintaining skeletal muscle mass and mitigating sarcopenia. Furthermore, the article dismisses common concerns that higher protein intake negatively affects renal and bone health, citing a lack of scientific foundation for these claims in healthy individuals. The authors also suggest that a more even distribution of protein intake across daily meals could be an optimal strategy for muscle maintenance in the elderly.Traylor DA, Gorissen SHM, Phillips SM. Perspective: Protein Requirements and Optimal Intakes in Aging: Are We Ready to Recommend More Than the Recommended Daily Allowance?. Adv Nutr. 2018;9(3):171-182. doi:10.1093/advances/nmy003Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive into a multi-center randomized clinical trial published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, focusing on the effect of dose interval for periosteal and intraarticular electrical dry needling (PIEDN) on patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study compared the long-term efficacy (30 weeks) of three groups: one receiving PIEDN booster sessions every four weeks, a second receiving them every eight weeks, and a control group receiving no further treatment after an initial six-week course.Dunning J, Young I, Taylor N, Mourad F, Bliton P, Butts R, et al. Effect of dose interval of periosteal and intraarticular electrical dry needling boosters on pain and disability in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multi-center randomized clinical trial. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. Published online October 17, 2025. doi:10.1080/09593985.2025.2575837.Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive into the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) position stand regarding the consumption of energy drinks (ED) and energy shots (ES), based on a critical review of scientific literature. It outlines the common ingredients found in these products, such as caffeine, taurine, and B vitamins, and evaluates their purported effects on acute exercise performance, metabolism, and cognitive function.Jagim AR, Harty PS, Tinsley GM, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: energy drinks and energy shots. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023;20(1):2171314. doi:10.1080/15502783.2023.2171314Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode dissects a systematic review with meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of exercise therapy for treating temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Researchers analyzed sixteen randomized controlled trials to determine if therapeutic exercise could reduce pain and increase both active and passive maximum mouth opening in TMD patients. Idáñez-Robles AM, Obrero-Gaitán E, Lomas-Vega R, Osuna-Pérez MC, Cortés-Pérez I, Zagalaz-Anula N. Exercise therapy improves pain and mouth opening in temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil. 2023;37(4):443-461. doi:10.1177/02692155221133523Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive into a systematic review and meta-analysis titled "Analgesic effects of non-surgical and non-interventional treatments for low back pain", which investigates the effectiveness of various treatments for low back pain in adults compared to a placebo. The study analyzed 301 randomized controlled trials covering 56 different treatments to determine their analgesic efficacy for both acute and chronic low back pain.Cashin AG, Furlong BM, Kamper SJ, et al. Analgesic effects of non-surgical and non-interventional treatments for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomised trials. BMJ Evid Based Med. Published online March 18, 2025. doi:10.1136/bmjebm-2024-112974Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This deep dive presents the methodology and findings of an extensive study investigating the cognitive and linguistic impacts of using Large Language Models (LLMs), search engines, or no tools ("Brain-only") for essay writing over four sessions with university participants. Kosmyna N, Hauptmann E, Yuan YT, Situ J, Liao XH, Beresnitzky AV, et al. Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task. Published June 2025. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2506.08872.Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive into an ancillary study of the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) trial, which investigated the long-term effects of cocoa extract supplementation on inflammaging biomarkers in older adults.Li S, Hamaya R, Zhu H, et al. Effects of 2-year cocoa extract supplementation on inflammaging biomarkers in older US adults: findings from the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study randomised clinical trial. Age Ageing. 2025;54(9):afaf269. doi:10.1093/ageing/afaf269.Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode dissects a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of resistance training (RT) for managing pain in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA).Liu W, Yin M, Li H. Optimizing resistance training for pain management in knee and hip osteoarthritis: a pairwise and dose-response meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2025;13:1623679. Published 2025 Sep 2. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1623679Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive into a comprehensive review article titled "Magnesium Matters: A Comprehensive Review of Its Vital Role in Health and Diseases." This review details the physiological functions and metabolic processes of magnesium (Mg), emphasizing its role as an essential mineral and cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions vital for maintaining health. We will explore the health consequences of Mg deficiency and its established associations with chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, we will discuss Mg metabolism, requirements (RDA), and the impact of deficiency in specific populations, such as the aging population, while discussing the therapeutic potential, optimal dosages, and duration of Mg supplementation.Fatima G, Dzupina A, B Alhmadi H, et al. Magnesium Matters: A Comprehensive Review of Its Vital Role in Health and Diseases. Cureus. 2024;16(10):e71392. Published 2024 Oct 13. doi:10.7759/cureus.71392Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode dissects an original research article from the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle that investigates the relationship between fat infiltration in muscles and the functional recovery of older inpatients. Specifically, the prospective study examined intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) in the quadriceps at admission and the subsequent recovery of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), measured using the Barthel Index. Akazawa N, Kishi M, Hino T, et al. Intramuscular adipose tissue in the quadriceps is more strongly related to recovery of activities of daily living than muscle mass in older inpatients. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2021;12(4):891-899. doi:10.1002/jcsm.12713Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
The episode does a deep dive into a systematic review with meta-analysis published in the journal Sports Medicine that investigates the optimal timing of exercise in relation to meal ingestion for acutely lowering postprandial blood glucose levels. Engeroff T, Groneberg DA, Wilke J. After Dinner Rest a While, After Supper Walk a Mile? A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis on the Acute Postprandial Glycemic Response to Exercise Before and After Meal Ingestion in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance. Sports Med. 2023;53(4):849-869. doi:10.1007/s40279-022-01808-7Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive into a systematic review investigating the efficacy of single herbal ingredients on testosterone concentrations in men. Smith SJ, Lopresti AL, Teo SYM, Fairchild TJ. Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review. Adv Nutr. 2021;12(3):744-765. doi:10.1093/advances/nmaa134Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode investigates the impact of various protein supplements on muscle protein synthesis in older men, aiming to counter age-related muscle loss known as sarcopenia. The study compares the effects of whey, pea, and collagen protein when consumed above the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), distributed twice daily at breakfast and lunch.McKendry J, Lowisz CV, Nanthakumar A, et al. The effects of whey, pea, and collagen protein supplementation beyond the recommended dietary allowance on integrated myofibrillar protein synthetic rates in older males: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024;120(1):34-46. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.05.009Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode dissects a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating observational learning (OL) as a mechanism for developing placebo hypoalgesia (pain relief) and nocebo hyperalgesia (pain exacerbation).Meeuwis SH, Wasylewski MT, Bajcar EA, et al. Learning pain from others: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on placebo hypoalgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia induced by observational learning. Pain. 2023;164(11):2383-2396. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002943Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive into a two-year, randomized-controlled trial, investigating the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. The study compared different dosages of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) combined with either micronized progesterone (MP) or dydrogesterone (DHG) across three groups. Researchers measured changes in lumbar and hip BMD, along with bone metabolism biomarkers like ALP, Ca, P, Cr, and Ca/Cr, to evaluate treatment effectiveness and safety. Zuo H, Sun A, Gao L, et al. Effect of Menopausal Hormone Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Chinese Women: A 2-Year, Prospective, Open-Label, Randomized-Controlled Trial. Med Sci Monit. 2019;25:819-826. Published 2019 Jan 28. doi:10.12659/MSM.912166Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep give into a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the connections between social media use (SMU), problematic social media use (PSMU), mental health, and sleep in young individuals. The research synthesizes findings from a large number of studies to understand these complex relationships, particularly noting the inconsistent results in previous literature. The authors aim to identify specific associations, determine directionality where possible, and explore potential moderating factors like geography, age, and gender.Ahmed O, Walsh EI, Dawel A, Alateeq K, Espinoza Oyarce DA, Cherbuin N. Social media use, mental health and sleep: A systematic review with meta-analyses. J Affect Disord. 2024;367:701-712. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.193Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode dissects a qualitative study exploring patient expectations of healthcare providers concerning healthy aging. The research, based on focus group discussions with a diverse age range, identified three core themes: patients desire respect and collaboration from their providers, seek alternatives to medication including lifestyle interventions, and prioritize preventative care over solely treating existing conditions.Duplantier SC, Undem T. Patient Expectations: A Qualitative Study on What Patients Want From Their Healthcare Providers to Support Them in Healthy Aging. Am J Lifestyle Med. Published online May 21, 2025. doi:10.1177/15598276251344856Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive into the relationship between creatine levels and mortality risk. Conducted as part of the PREVEND study in the Netherlands, the research analyzed plasma creatine concentration, estimated intramuscular creatine, and the transcellular gradient in a large population-based cohort.Doorenbos CSE, Post A, Stegmann ME, Franssen CFM, Dullaart RPF, Navis G, Connelly MA, Bakker SJL. Plasma creatine, estimated intramuscular creatine, transcellular gradient and the risk of mortality: Results from the PREVEND study. Eur J Clin Invest. 2025;00:e70110. doi:10.1111/eci.70110Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode dissects an article on "Explaining Pain" (EP), a collection of educational interventions designed to alter an individual's comprehension of pain's biological underpinnings. This approach aims to reframe pain not as a direct indicator of tissue damage, but as a signal of the perceived need for bodily protection. The article explores the historical context, core objectives, and common misconceptions surrounding EP, asserting its biological plausibility and reviewing its clinical effectiveness, often in conjunction with other treatments, for reducing pain, disability, and catastrophizing in various chronic pain conditions.Moseley GL, Butler DS. Fifteen Years of Explaining Pain: The Past, Present, and Future. J Pain. 2015;16(9):807-813. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2015.05.005Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
This episode does a deep dive on an updated approach to managing soft-tissue injuries, moving beyond traditional acronyms like RICE to the more comprehensive PEACE and LOVE framework. Ultimately, the article advocates for a holistic, patient-centered approach that prioritizes long-term outcomes and empowers individuals in their recovery process, moving away from a "magic cure" mindset.Dubois B, Esculier JF. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(2):72-73. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101253Follow Dr. Anthony Novello, PT, DPT@anthonynovello.dpt
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