The effectiveness of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for veterans with probable posttraumatic stress disorder.

Introduction: Recreational and adaptive sports programs may be beneficial therapeutic interventions for improving psychological outcomes among veterans and service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they provide opportunities for exercise, socialization, respite, and time outdoors. Although there are an increasing number of sports programs for veterans and service members with PTSD, data evaluating the outcomes of such programs are limited. Materials and methods: The sample included 74 U.S. veterans who participated in the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC), an annual, week-long adaptive sports program in San Diego, California. Participants were categorized into two subgroups: those who met criteria for probable PTSD using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (n = 20) and those who did not (n = 54). Participants completed self-report assessments before and after each daily activity, before and after the program, and 3 months following program completion. Results: Over the course of NVSSC program participation, the diagnostic subgroups (probable PTSD vs. no PTSD) did not significantly differ on changes in depression, positive affect, negative affect, or insomnia. Compared to those without PTSD, veterans with PTSD experienced greater reduction in generalized anxiety during the program (MD = -3.07, p = 0.034). Veterans with PTSD also experienced significant improvements in PTSD symptoms at postprogram (MD = -23.76, p < 0.001). For both groups, significant benefits were shown during the program but rebounded by the 3-month follow-up. Over the course of each daily activity, positive affect (MD = 2.71, p < 0.001) and depression/anxiety scores significantly decreased (MD = -0.75, p < 0.001), with no differences between PTSD diagnostic groups across time (ps = 0.714 and 0.961, respectively). Conclusion: Veterans with and without PTSD benefited from participation in the NVSSC. Participants with probable PTSD experienced greater improvements in generalized anxiety at postprogram only; there were no other significant differences between the two groups at postprogram or at 3-month follow-up. In line with prior research, benefits for those with PTSD were lost by 3-month follow-up, suggesting that regular engagement in recreational and adaptive sports may be necessary to sustain psychological health improvements.

Competency based clinical shoulder examination training improves physical exam, confidence, and knowledge in common shoulder conditions.

BACKGROUND: Deficiencies in musculoskeletal knowledge are reported at every stage of learning. Medical programs are looking for effective ways to incorporate competency-based training into musculoskeletal education. AIM: To evaluate the impact of bedside feedback on learner's shoulder examination skills, confidence, and knowledge of common shoulder conditions. SETTING: Four-week musculoskeletal clinic rotation. PARTICIPANTS: UCSD third year medical students and internal medicine residents. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Learners completed three baseline evaluations: videotaped shoulder examination, attitude survey, and knowledge test. During the 4-week intervention learners received bedside observation and feedback from musculoskeletal experts while evaluating patients with shoulder conditions. Post-intervention learners repeated the three assessments. PROGRAM EVALUATION: Eighty-nine learners participated. In the primary outcome measure evaluating the pre/post videotaped shoulder examination, significant improvement was seen in 21 of 23 shoulder examination maneuvers. Secondary outcomes include changes in learner confidence and knowledge. Greatest gains in learner confidence were seen in performing the shoulder examination (61.5% improvement) and performing injections (97.1% improvement). Knowledge improved significantly in all categories including anatomy/examination interpretation, diagnosis, and procedures. DISCUSSION: Direct observation and feedback during clinical evaluation of patients with shoulder pain improves shoulder examination competency, provider confidence, and knowledge of common shoulder conditions.

Inflammatory characteristics on ultrasound predict poorer longterm response to intraarticular corticosteroid injections in knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether inflammation on ultrasound is predictive of clinical response to intraarticular (IA) corticosteroid injections in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Patients with symptomatic knee OA were randomized to receive either an IA injection of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment group or 1 cc 0.9% saline in the placebo group. Clinical response was assessed by changes in baseline Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index scores and physician global assessment at 4 and 12 weeks. Ultrasounds were performed at each visit. Patients and assessors were blinded to treatment status. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were enrolled into the study. Four-week data were available for 67 patients in the primary analysis comparing change in WOMAC pain score from baseline to 4 weeks. There was almost no change in the WOMAC pain subscale score from baseline to 4 weeks in the control group, but there was a significant improvement in WOMAC pain subscale score from 10.8 (SD +/- 3.2) at baseline to 8.75 (SD +/- 4.0) at 4 weeks in the treatment group (adjusted p = 0.001). Of the 34 patients in the treatment group; 16 (47%) had inflammatory disease and 18 (53%) had noninflammatory disease as determined by ultrasound. There was no difference in the change in WOMAC pain score between the inflammatory and noninflammatory patients in the treatment group at 4 weeks. There was a statistically significant greater improvement in pain subscale scores among noninflammatory patients than among inflammatory patients at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Intraarticular corticosteroid injections are an effective short-term treatment for symptomatic knee OA compared to placebo. Patients with noninflammatory characteristics on ultrasound had a more prolonged benefit from IA corticosteroids compared to inflammatory patients.