scholarly journals Custom insoles versus sham and GP-led usual care in patients with plantar heel pain: results of the STAP-study - a randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2019-101409
Author(s):  
Nadine Rasenberg ◽  
Sita M A Bierma-Zeinstra ◽  
Lars Fuit ◽  
Michael Skovdal Rathleff ◽  
Amy Dieker ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo compare custom-made insoles to sham insoles and general practice (GP)-led usual care in terms of pain at rest and during activity at 12 weeks follow-up in individuals with plantar heel pain.MethodsIn this randomised clinical trial 185 patients aged 18 to 65 years, with a clinical diagnosis of plantar heel pain for at least 2 weeks, but no longer than 2 years were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: (1) GP-led treatment, plus an information booklet with exercises (usual care; n=46), (2) referral to a podiatrist for treatment with a custom-made insole plus an information booklet with exercises (custom-made insole; n=70) and (3) referral to a podiatrist and treatment with a sham insole plus an information booklet with exercises (sham insole; n=69). As well as the primary outcome of pain severity (11-point Numerical Rating Scale) we used the Foot Function Index (0 to 100) as a secondary outcome.ResultsOf 185 randomised participants, 176 completed the 12-week follow-up. There was no difference in pain or function between the insole and the sham groups at 12 weeks. Participants in the GP-led usual care group reported less pain during activity at 12 weeks, (mean difference (MD) 0.94, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.65), less first step pain (MD 1.48, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.31), better function (MD 7.37, 95% CI 1.27 to 13.46) and higher recovery rates (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.96) compared with participants in the custom insole group.ConclusionsReferral to a podiatrist for a custom-made insole does not lead to a better outcome compared to sham insoles or compared to GP-led usual care.Trial registration numberNTR5346.

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252110078
Author(s):  
Thi-Thuy-Dung Nguyen ◽  
Eleonor Säfsten ◽  
Filip Andersson ◽  
Maria Rosaria Galanti

Aim: This two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial explored the effectiveness of a brief counselling model compared with the usual multi-session counselling at an alcohol telephone helpline. Methods: A total of 320 callers who contacted the Swedish Alcohol Helpline (SAH) because of hazardous or harmful alcohol use were randomised to either brief structured intervention (self-help booklet plus one proactive call) or usual care (multi-session telephone counselling). The primary outcome was a downward shift in risk level at 12-month follow-up compared with baseline, based on self-reports. Sustained risk level reduction throughout the whole follow-up was also assessed as secondary outcome. Results: Both interventions were significantly associated with a shift to a lower level of risky alcohol use (75% among participants in the brief structured intervention, and 70% in the usual care group) after 12 months. There was no difference between the two interventions in the proportions changing alcohol use or sustaining risk level reduction. Conclusion: In the context of telephone helplines, minimal and extended interventions appear to be equally effective in promoting long-term change in alcohol use.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E. Callinan ◽  
Brianna Kenney ◽  
Lisa A. Hark ◽  
Ann P. Murchison ◽  
Yang Dai ◽  
...  

Lack of patient adherence with eye appointments can decrease ocular outcomes. This prospective, randomized, single-blinded controlled study assessed the effectiveness of multiple interventions in improving follow-up adherence to recommended eye appointments. Patients due for follow-up appointments were randomly assigned to usual care, automated intervention, or personal intervention. Automated-intervention patients and personal-intervention patients received a call one month prior to the recommended follow-up date, and a mailed appointment reminder letter. The call was automated for automated-intervention patients and personalized for personal-intervention patients. The primary outcome was adherence to the follow-up appointment. The secondary outcome was rate of appointment scheduling. Patients in the personal-intervention group had greater adherence to follow-up recommendations (38%) than patients in the usual care group (28%) and the automated-intervention group (30%). Personal intervention significantly increased appointment scheduling (51%) over usual care (32%) and automated intervention (36%). These results support systems-level changes to improve patient follow-up adherence in urban primary eye care settings.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Tisdel ◽  
Marion C. Harper

The efficacy of a short leg walking cast in the treatment of chronic plantar heel pain was assessed for 32 patients with 37 involved extremities treated over a 2-year period. All patients had failed numerous other treatment modalities and had been symptomatic for an average of 1 year. Long-term follow-up for 24 patients with 28 involved extremities revealed complete resolution of pain for 7 extremities (25%), improvement for 17 (61%), and no improvement for 4 (14%). Ten (42%) patients were completely satisfied with cast treatment, 3 (12%) were satisfied with reservations, and 11 (46%) were dissatisfied. Casting appears to be a reasonable option for patients with recalcitrant heel pain and should be offered before surgical intervention.


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Thillemann ◽  
T. M. Thillemann ◽  
B. Munk ◽  
K. Krøner

We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 42 Motec thumb carpometacarpal total joint arthroplasties. The primary endpoint was revision with implant removal and trapeziectomy. At follow-up the disability of the arm shoulder and hand (DASH) score, pain on numerical rating scale at rest and with activity and serum chrome and cobalt concentrations were assessed for both unrevised and revised patients. At a mean follow-up of 26 months, 17 patients had been revised. The 2 year cumulative revision rate was 42% (95% CI, 28–60%). The DASH score and pain scores at rest and with activity were comparable between the patients whose thumbs remained unrevised and those revised. Patients with elevated serum chrome and cobalt levels had significantly higher DASH and pain scores, but elevated levels were not associated with revision. The revision rate in this study is unacceptably high. However, pain and DASH scores after revision are acceptable and comparable with patients with non-revised implants. Level of evidence: IV


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun-wei Liu ◽  
Zhi-guo Wang ◽  
Jin Peng ◽  
Gang Sun

Abstract Background: Although percutaneous osteoplasty (POP) has been widely accepted and is now being performed for the treatment of painful bone metastases outside the spine, there are only scarced reports regarding osteoplasty in painful sternal metastases.Case presentation: The paper reported four patients with painful sternal metastasis who underwent POP under fluoroscopic and cone-beam CT guidance. The patients were three men and one woman (mean age, 66.25 years). Primary tumor location in lung is 3 cases, in thyroid is 1 case. In these cases, Pain was measured using a numerical rating scale (NRS), with scores ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). The scores on the NRS in the four patients before POP were 9, 8, 8, and 9. After POP, the NRS scores decreased to 2, 3, 2, and 2, respectively, in follow-up at 6 months. Conclusions: POP is a safe and effective treatment for pain caused by metastatic bone tumors in the sternum. However, care and at tention should be paid to the insertion of a needle and cement distribution for better treatment effect


Author(s):  
Linda Gordon ◽  
Amanda Malecky ◽  
Andrew Althouse ◽  
Nicole Ansani

Background: Data demonstrate an adverse association between depression and coronary artery disease prognosis. Therefore, a depression screening program was initiated in the catheterization (cath) lab. The goals were to improve HEDIS depression compliance rates and determine the impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: Adult patients in an inpatient cath lab from 3 cardiology practices were screened for enrollment in a randomized controlled trial. All cath lab patients received a PHQ-9 depression screener. Those who screened positive for depression (score ≥ 10) were randomized to intervention or usual care. The usual care group received a follow-up phone call to re-administer the PHQ-9 at 6-8 weeks and within 210 days of discharge. The intervention group was administered the PHQ-9 and received intensive education at baseline, 6-8 weeks, and within 210 days of discharge. Education included targeted depression information with a mental health care provider and comprehensive disease management education with a cardiovascular nurse practitioner. Outcomes included: differences in HEDIS depression goal attainment; depression response/remission rates; and cardiovascular goals. Differences between groups were tested using chi-squared tests (categorical variables) and t-tests (continuous variables). Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between control (N=43) and intervention (N=40) groups, with the exception of significantly fewer African American patients in the control group (N=2, 4.7%) vs intervention (N=9, 22.5%). Changes in HEDIS goal attainment show that patients in the intervention group were slightly more likely to be referred to a provider to address depression (95.0% vs 86.0%, p=0.314), or receive meds for depression (65.0% vs 51.2%, p=0.219), but these differences are not statistically significant. More patients in the intervention group refused meds for depression compared to control (15.0% vs. 2.3%, p=0.041); have received blood work (65.0% vs 41.9%, p=0.030); and have received follow-up within 210 days (82.5% vs 46.5%, p<0.001). Treatment adjustment rate was higher in the intervention group compared to control (85.0% vs. 65.1%, p=0.037). Hospital readmission rate was similar between groups (p=0.896) and there was no difference in depression remission or response rates (p=0.426). Further, no differences were seen in cardiovascular surrogate outcome parameters, including cholesterol, A1c, CRP, or BNP between groups; except SGOT was significantly different between groups (-5.0 intervention vs 2.0 control p=0.045). Conclusions: These data demonstrate improvements in attaining a surrogate outcome measure of quality (HEDIS goals); however, this does not appear to translate to a significant clinical impact. Quality measures may need to be continuously reassessed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of care.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 782-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan J Amer-Cuenca ◽  
Daniel Pecos-Martín ◽  
Patricia Martínez-Merinero ◽  
Enrique Lluch Girbés ◽  
Jo Nijs ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of different dosages of pain neuroscience education (PNE) programs on central nociceptive processing in patients with fibromyalgia. Second, to compare the effects of different dosages of PNE programs on numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), disability, and psychological variables.DesignSingle-blind randomized controlled trial.SettingThree fibromyalgia centers in Spain (Valencia, Alcorcón, Alcalá de Henares).SubjectsSeventy-seven patients with fibromyalgia.MethodsParticipants were randomized to four groups of PNE: 1) high-dose PNE (N = 20), 2) low–concentrated dose PNE (N = 20), 3) diluted low-dose PNE (N = 20), and (4) control treatment (N = 17), conducted in two 30–50-minute sessions in groups of four to six participants. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM), temporal summation (TS), and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at baseline and at three-month follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale.ResultsThere were significant between-group differences for NPRS in favor of the groups receiving high-dose PNE, with a large effect size at three-month follow-up (P &lt; 0.01, η2p = 0.170), but there were no significant differences between groups for the remaining variables (P &gt; 0.05). All groups improved for central nociceptive processing, psychological variables, disability, and pain intensity (NPRS).ConclusionsIn patients with fibromyalgia, higher dosages of PNE produced a larger improvement in pain severity at three-month follow-up than other dosages of PNE and biomedical education. However, PNE was not superior to biomedical education in the central nociceptive processing, disability, or psychological variables in patients with fibromyalgia.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-206
Author(s):  
Augustine Joshua Devasahayam ◽  
Doreen Ren Yan Ho ◽  
Elsa Yee Sum Leung ◽  
Ming Rong Goh ◽  
Patricia Koh

Background: Pain alters the neuromuscular activation and results in altered movement adaptations. A new exercise prescription method proposes that we can restore the neuromuscular control by rehabilitating the deficient neural drive through Pilates exercises. This is done by identifying the postural control deficits using single-leg tests such as hopping, half squats and heel raises. The aim of this study was to find out if this method of prescribing exercises results in clinically relevant outcomes. Methods: Fifteen patients with chronic non-specific low back pain with unilateral musculoskeletal pain were recruited. Following consent, all patients were randomly assigned either to perform gym or Pilates-based individualised exercises once weekly for six weeks. The primary outcome was to measure the pain intensity using a 0–10 numerical rating scale. The secondary outcome measures were: the global perceived effect scale (GPE; 0–10), the patient-specific functional scale (PSFS; the patient-generated measure of disability) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; the condition-specific measure of disability). Results: There were statistically significant differences noted after intervention within the control group in the numerical rating scale ( P=0.041), GPE ( P=0.024), PSFS ( P=0.039) and within the experimental group in the WOMAC ( P=0.008), GPE ( P=0.007) and PSFS ( P=0.007). However, as there were clinically significant baseline differences, the within-group difference could be due to regression to the mean. There were no statistically significant results between the two groups after intervention. Conclusion: This new prescription method for Pilates-based exercises may improve disability and global perception of recovery. However, the outcomes are not different from a regular gym-based exercise programme.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlise Poolman ◽  
Matthew Makin ◽  
Jess Briggs ◽  
Kate Scofield ◽  
Nick Campkin ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPercutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC) is an interventional ablative procedure in the armamentarium for cancer pain treatment, but there is limited evidence to support its use. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of PCC.MethodsAnalysis was undertaken of the first national (UK) prospective data repository of adult patients with cancer undergoing PCC for pain treatment. The relationship between pain and other outcomes before and after PCC was examined using appropriate statistical methods.ResultsData on 159 patients’ PCCs (performed from 1 January 2012 to 6 June 2017 in three centres) were assessed: median (IQR) age was 66 (58–71) years, 47 (30%) were female. Mesothelioma was the most common primary malignancy (57%). The median (IQR) time from cancer diagnosis to PCC assessment was 13.3 (6.2–23.2) months; PCC to follow-up was 9 (8–25) days; and survival after PCC was 1.3 (0.6–2.8) months. The mean (SD) for ‘average pain’ using a numerical rating scale was 6 (2) before PCC and 2 (2) at follow-up, and for ‘worst pain’ 9 (1) and 3 (3), respectively. The median (IQR) reduction in strong opioid dose at follow-up was 50% (34–50). With the exception of ‘activity’, all health-related quality of life scores (5-level version of EuroQol-5 Dimension) either improved or were stable after PCC. Six patients (4%) had PCC-related adverse events.ConclusionsPCC is an effective treatment for cancer pain; however, findings in this study suggest PCC referrals tended to be late in patients’ disease trajectories. Further study into earlier treatment and seeking international consensus on PCC outcomes will further enhance opportunities to improve patient care.


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