Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Using Adjunct Electroacupuncture Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Achilles tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal condition associated with decreased functionality. The insertional variant (<2cm from the calcaneus) is less responsive to eccentric-exercise therapy. This study looked at the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) + eccentric exercise for treating insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two active duty and Department of Defense beneficiaries older than 18 years of age with insertional Achilles tendinopathy were randomized to treatment with either eccentric exercise or eccentric exercise with EA. They were evaluated at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks. The treatment group received EA treatment in the first 4 visits. The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles Questionnaire (VISA-A; scored 0-100; higher score = increased function) was used to assess the patients and patient-reported pain (0-10, increasing pain with score) pre- and post-demonstration of the exercises during each visit. Results: Both the treatment group (53.6% reduction; confidence interval [CI]: 2.1, 3.9; P < 0.001) and the control group (37.5% reduction; CI: 0.4, 2.9; P = 0.023) reported decreased pain between the first and last visit. The treatment group had reduced pain (mean difference [MD] = 1.0; P < 0.01) between pre- and post-eccentric-exercise performance at each visit, while the control group did not (MD = -0.3; P = 0.065). VISA-A scores did not show a difference in functional improvement between the groups (P = 0.296). Conclusions: EA as an adjunct to eccentric therapy significantly improves short-term pain control for insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

Enuresis in Children: Common Questions and Answers.

Nocturnal enuresis is defined as nighttime urinary incontinence occurring at least twice weekly in children five years and older. Approximately 14% of children have spontaneous resolution each year without treatment. Subtypes of nocturnal enuresis include nonmonosymptomatic enuresis and primary and secondary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. Monosymptomatic enuresis is characterized by nighttime bedwetting without daytime urinary incontinence. Pathophysiology of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis may be due to sleep arousal disorder, overproduction of urine, small bladder storage capacity, or detrusor overactivity. Children with nonmonosymptomatic enuresis have daytime and nighttime symptoms resulting from a variety of underlying etiologies. An in-depth history is an integral component of the initial evaluation. For all types of enuresis, a comprehensive physical examination and urinalysis should be performed to help identify the cause. It is important to reiterate to the family that bedwetting is not the child's fault. Treatment should begin with behavioral modification, which then progresses to enuresis alarm therapy and oral desmopressin. Enuresis alarm therapy is more likely to produce long-term success; desmopressin yields earlier symptom improvement. Treatment of secondary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and nonmonosymptomatic enuresis should primarily focus on the underlying etiology. Pediatric urology referral should be made for refractory cases in which underlying genitourinary anomalies or neurologic disorders are more likely. .

Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Rapid Evidence Review.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by human enteroviruses and coxsackieviruses. Outbreaks can occur in the spring to fall and are common in North America, and most cases occur in patients younger than 10 years. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is transmitted by fecal-oral, oral-oral, and respiratory droplet contact. Patients present with a low-grade fever, a maculopapular or papulovesicular rash on the hands and soles of the feet, and painful oral ulcerations. Lesions usually resolve in seven to 10 days; however, in rare cases, patients may have neurologic or cardiopulmonary complications. The differential diagnosis for childhood rashes and oral enanthems is broad and includes erythema multiforme, herpes, measles, and varicella. Treatment is supportive and directed toward hydration and pain relief as needed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Oral lidocaine is not recommended, and antiviral treatment is not available. The best methods to prevent the spread of hand-foot-and-mouth disease are handwashing and disinfecting potentially contaminated surfaces and fomites.

Unexpected Effects of a System-Distributed Mobile Application in Maternity Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: As pregnant mothers increasingly engage in shared decision making regarding prenatal decisions, such as induction of labor, the patient's level of activation may influence pregnancy outcomes. One potential tool to increase patient activation in the clinical setting is mobile applications. However, research is limited in comparing mobile apps with other modalities of patient education and engagement tools. AIM: This study was designed to test the effectiveness of a mobile app as a replacement for a spiral notebook guide as a patient education and engagement tool in the prenatal clinical setting. METHOD: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Women's Health Clinic and Family Health Clinic of three hospitals. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance was used to test intervention effects in the study sample of 205 patients. RESULTS: Mothers used a mobile app interface to more frequently record information about their pregnancy; however, across time, mothers using a mobile app reported a significant decrease in patient activation. DISCUSSION: The unexpected negative effects in the group of patients randomized to the mobile app prompt these authors to recommend that health systems pause before distributing their own version of mobile apps that may decrease patient activation. CONCLUSION: Mobile apps can be inherently empowering and engaging, but how a system encourages their use may ultimately determine their adoption and success.

Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Prevention and Management.

Herpes zoster, or shingles, is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. There are an estimated 1 million cases in the Unites States annually, with an individual lifetime risk of 30%. Patients with conditions that decrease cell-mediated immunity are 20 to 100 times more likely to develop herpes zoster. Patients may present with malaise, headache, low-grade fever, and abnormal skin sensations for two to three days before the classic maculopapular rash appears. The rash is usually unilateral, confined to a single dermatome, and typically progresses to clear vesicles that become cloudy and crust over in seven to 10 days. Herpes zoster can be treated with acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, ideally within 72 hours of the development of the rash. Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication, occurring in about one in five patients. It is defined as pain in a dermatomal distribution sustained for at least 90 days after acute herpes zoster. Treatment is focused on symptom control and includes topical lidocaine or capsaicin and oral gabapentin, pregabalin, or tricyclic antidepressants. The varicella zoster virus vaccine decreases the incidence of herpes zoster and is approved for adults 50 years and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends this vaccine for adults 60 years and older, except for certain immunosuppressed patients.