Stefania Penkala

Effect of Neutral-Cushioned Running Shoes on Plantar Pressure Loading and Comfort in Athletes With Cavus Feet A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

Background High injury rates observed in athletes with cavus feet are thought to be associated with elevated plantar pressure loading. Neutral-cushioned running shoes are often recommended to manage and prevent such injuries. Purpose To investigate in-shoe plantar pressure loading and comfort during running in 2 popular neutral-cushioned running shoes recommended for athletes with cavus feet. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Plantar pressures were collected using the in-shoe Novel Pedar-X system during overground running in 22 athletes with cavus feet in 2 neutral-cushioned running shoes (Asics Nimbus 6 and Brooks Glycerin 3) and a control condition (Dunlop Volley). Comfort was measured using a validated visual analog scale. Results Compared with the control, both neutral-cushioned running shoes significantly reduced peak pressure and pressure-time integrals by 17% to 33% (P < .001). The Brooks Glycerin most effectively reduced pressure beneath the whole foot and forefoot (P < .01), and the Asics Nimbus most effectively reduced rearfoot pressure (P < .01). Both neutral-cushioned running shoes reduced force at the forefoot by 6% and increased it at the midfoot by 12% to 17% (P < .05). Contact time and area increased in both neutral-cushioned running shoes (P < .01). The Asics Nimbus was the most comfortable, although both neutral-cushioned running shoes were significantly more comfortable than the control (P < .001). Conclusion Two popular types of neutral-cushioned running shoes were effective at reducing plantar pressures in athletes with cavus feet. Clinical Relevance Regional differences in pressure reduction suggest neutral-cushioned running shoe recommendation should shift from being categorical in nature to being based on location of injury or elevated plantar pressure.

Psychological therapies for the management of co-morbid depression following a spinal cord injury: A systematic review

The evidence about psychological therapies used to manage co-morbid depression after a spinal cord injury is presented here. A comprehensive search of five electronic databases identified nine studies (participants, n = 591) meeting inclusion criteria. Pooled statistical analyses were conducted in combination with narrative synthesis. Overall, multimodal cognitive behavioural therapy was found to be moderately effective (standardised mean difference = −0.52; 95% confidence interval = −0.85, −0.19). Activity scheduling, psychoeducation, problem solving and cognitive therapy may be particularly beneficial therapies within cognitive behavioural therapy. Further high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to better substantiate these findings.

Sensory-Based Intervention for Children with Behavioral Problems: A Systematic Review.

Sensory-based intervention is a common approach used to address behavioral problems in children. Types of sensory-based intervention for children and details of the intervention effectiveness have not been systematically examined. This review examined the effectiveness and ideal types of sensory-based interventions for children with behavioral problems. Searching seven databases, a total of 132 studies were identified; 14 met the selection criteria and were reviewed. Seven of the studies were tactile-based interventions, four were proprioceptive-based intervention and three were vestibular-based interventions. Tactile-based interventions such as massage therapy were the most promising intervention in reducing behavioral problems. However, evidence concerning the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions remains unclear. More research is required for determining the appropriate intervention for children with behavioral problems.

What is the Effect of Compression Garments on a Novel Kick Accuracy Task

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wearing long leg compression garments (CGs) on the accuracy of elite football players performing a novel kicking task. A double-blinded, crossover, randomised and controlled laboratory trial was used to examine the contribution of the long leg CGs to kicking accuracy of a drop-punt-kick. The drop-punt-kick is a backward spinning kick often used in Australian Rules. Participants performed 10 drop-punt-kicks towards a target for each garment condition (fitted, over-sized and training shorts) with both their dominant and non-dominant leg. Kicking accuracy data was collected using a high-speed camera. Kicking accuracy between garment conditions was only significantly different when kicking with the dominant leg (p = 0.002). Kicking accuracy was reduced in the fitted CG condition compared to the oversized CG (mean difference = 20 cm, p = 0.018) and for fitted CGs compared to training shorts (mean difference = 21 cm, p = 0.003) indicating that the fitted CGs had a negative effect on kicking accuracy. As these compression garments are worn regularly during training, further research is required to determine the long-term effect on skill development.

Peripheral vascular disease assessment in the lower limb: a review of current and emerging non-invasive diagnostic methods

BackgroundWorldwide, at least 200 million people are affected by peripheral vascular diseases (PVDs), including peripheral arterial disease (PAD), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The high prevalence and serious consequences of PVDs have led to the development of several diagnostic tools and clinical guidelines to assist timely diagnosis and patient management. Given the increasing number of diagnostic methods available, a comprehensive review of available technologies is timely in order to understand their limitations and direct future development effort.Main bodyThis paper reviews the available diagnostic methods for PAD, CVI, and DVT with a focus on non-invasive modalities. Each method is critically evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, ease of use, procedure time duration, and training requirements where applicable.ConclusionThis review emphasizes the limitations of existing methods, highlighting a latent need for the development of new non-invasive, efficient diagnostic methods. Some newly emerging technologies are identified, in particular wearable sensors, which demonstrate considerable potential to address the need for simple, cost-effective, accurate and timely diagnosis of PVDs.

Children’s shoe styles and parent decisions to fit shoes with store staff assistance

Background A well-fitted shoe is singularly the most consistent footwear attribute recommended in children’s footwear guidelines to promote foot health. Despite recommendations research over the last 70 years continues to report the majority of children wear inappropriately sized shoes. It would be beneficial for the development of consumer appropriate guidelines to know what influences parents when making decisions about the different types of shoes they purchase for their child. The aim of the study was to obtain contemporary information about decisions made by parents to fit their child’s shoes and the fitting problems they experience.

The lived experience of patients with feet affected by RA: a thematic synthesis of the qualitative literature.

Background Foot involvement in rheumatoid arthritis has detrimental and far reaching implications for the lives of patients. Qualitative studies investigating this phenomenon have identified specific aspects of the lived experience pertaining to the foot. However, no studies have attempted to provide a holistic overview of this phenomenon or investigate the potential relationships between different facets of the lived experience. The aim of this research was to synthesise the existing qualitative research and develop a model to conceptualise the patient lived experience.

Strategies to enhance computer assisted differential diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Coronary Heart Disease: Validity and standardisation of a diagnostic instrument

Multiple areas of information technology are endeavouring to advance differential syndrome diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). To maximise the efficacy of combining techniques, ascertaining valid and standardised TCM diagnostics fields is a necessary preliminary stage. Aims: To develop a valid, standardised diagnostic instrument (an expert questionnaire) in differential syndrome diagnosis of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) selected as a case study. Methods: Instrument construction and psychometric testing methods were employed. Results: Literature scrutinisation identified 201 syndromes for CHD. Theory-driven analysis resulted in 14 consistent syndromes with 193 indications which formed the content of the instrument. Preliminary quantitive analysis through Content Validity Testing (CVT) confirmed 11 syndromes and 107 indications were consistent with CHD evaluation in literarure and practice. Conclusion: Psychometric testing methods may be adopted as a strategy to ensure data sets employed in computational assistance techniques are valid, standardised while efficacy is not compromised throughout the integration process.