The effect of suit wear during an intensive therapy program in children with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of suit wear during an intensive therapy program on motor function among children with cerebral palsy. METHOD: Twenty children were randomized to an experimental (TheraSuit) or a control (control suit) group and participated in an intensive therapy program. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 were administered before and after (4 and 9 weeks). Parent satisfaction was also assessed. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups. Significant within-group differences were found for the control group on the GMFM-66 and for the experimental group on the GMFM-66, PEDI Functional Skills Self-care, PEDI Caregiver Assistance Self-care, and PEDI Functional Skills Mobility. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Children wearing the TheraSuit during an intensive therapy program did not demonstrate improved motor function compared with those wearing a control suit during the same program.

Codeine-related adverse drug reactions in children following tonsillectomy: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To prospectively determine factors associated with codeine's adverse drug reactions (ADRs) at home in a large homogenous population of children undergoing outpatient tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, genotype blinded, observational study with a single group and repeated ADR measures documented by parents at home. METHODS: A total of 249 children 6 to 15 years of age scheduled for tonsillectomy were enrolled. The primary outcome was number of daily codeine-related ADRs. We examined the number and type of ADR by race and by days and further modeled factors potentially associated with ADR risk in a subcohort of white children. Sedation following a dose of codeine was a secondary outcome measure. Parents recorded their children's daily ADRs and sedation scores during postoperative days (POD) 0 to 3 at home. RESULTS: Diaries were returned for 134 children, who were given codeine. A total of 106 (79%) reported at least one ADR. The most common ADRs were nausea, lightheadedness/dizziness for white children and nausea, and vomiting for African American children. In a subcohort of white children ≤ 45 kg, increased ADR risk was associated with the presence of one or more full function CYP2D6 alleles (P < 0.001), POD (P < 0.001), and sex (P = 0.027). Increased pain intensity (P = 0.009) and PODs 0 and 1 (P = 0.001) contributed to a higher sedation risk. Neither obstructive apnea nor predicted CYP2D6 phenotype were associated with sedation risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence that multiple factors are associated with codeine-related ADRs and support the FDA recommendation to avoid codeine's routine use following tonsillectomy in children.

Evidence-based practice and the road to Magnet status.

Conducting research and using evidence-based practice play a major role in achieving Magnet status, the sought-after recognition awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to healthcare institutions that exhibit nursing excellence. The authors present a synopsis of a conference sponsored by a Sigma Theta Tau International consortium in which a panel of nurse leaders distinguishes between research and evidence-based practice and discusses strategies to achieve both in the journey to Magnet status.