RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis (PF) affects around 10% of the population. Prefabricated orthotics with arch support has been shown to provide symptom relief in PF by decreasing the repetitive stress sustained by the plantar fascia. However, prefabricated orthotics are only effective when shoes are worn, meaning the foot may be left unsupported when it is impractical to wear shoes. Using orthotic sandals in conjunction with prefabricated orthotics may increase PF symptom relief, as they can be worn inside the home, extending the period in which the foot is supported. AIM: To compare the combined use of prefabricated orthotics and orthotic sandals vs the sole use of prefabricated orthotics in the treatment of PF. METHODS: 98 participants with PF were randomised into two groups. The intervention group received the Aetrex L420 Compete orthotics and the Aetrex L3000 Maui Flips (orthotic sandals), whilst the control group received the Aetrex L420 Compete orthotics only. Foot pain was assessed both by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the pain sub-scale of the foot health status questionnaire (FHSQ). Foot functionality was measured using the function sub-scale of the FHSQ. Symptom change was measured using the global rating of change scale (GROC). RESULTS: Foot pain scores measured both by NRS and FHSQ pain sub-scale showed statistically significant reductions in foot pain in both groups (P < 0.05) at six months. Both groups also reported statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05) in function as measured by the FHSQ function subscale and improvement of symptoms as measured by the GROC scale. Between-group analysis showed that the intervention group with the combined use of orthotics and orthotic sandals scored better on all four outcome measures as compared to the control group with the sole use of orthotics. However, the between-group analysis only reached statistical significance on the NRS pain score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined use of prefabricated orthotics and orthotic sandals provides a greater decrease in foot pain and improvement in foot function in PF compared to using prefabricated orthotics alone.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Although research using combat veteran samples has demonstrated an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and violence toward others, there has been relatively little research examining this relationship among individuals with no combat history. METHOD: Data representative of the United States population collected from the two wave National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) were analyzed to determine the risk factors for violent behavior of individuals reporting no history of active military combat (N = 33,215). RESULTS: In χ2 analyses, participants meeting criteria for lifetime PTSD at Wave 1 reported higher rates of violence between Waves 1 and 2 compared with participants without a history of PTSD (7 vs. 3%). An increase in anger after trauma and use of alcohol to cope with PTSD symptoms were stronger predictors of physically aggressive or violent acts than a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD without anger. When controlling for these and other covariates, PTSD alone no longer significantly predicted any subtype of physical aggression or violence toward others. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that although PTSD is related to violent behavior, specific sequelae of trauma (specifically, increased anger and self-medicating with alcohol) are more critical than diagnosis per se in predicting violent behavior in the general population. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This study randomly sampled post-9/11 military veterans and reports on causes, predictors, and frequency of traumatic brain injury (TBI) (N=1,388). A total of 17.3% met criteria for TBI during military service, with about one-half reporting multiple head injuries, which were related to higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, back pain, and suicidal ideation. The most common mechanisms of TBI included blasts (33.1%), objects hitting head (31.7%), and fall (13.5%). TBI was associated with enlisted rank, male gender, high combat exposure, and sustaining TBI prior to military service. Clinical and research efforts in veterans should consider TBI mechanism, effects of cumulative TBI, and screening for premilitary TBI.

Asunto(s)