Effectiveness of Scapular Stabilization Versus Non-Stabilization Stretching on Shoulder Range of Motion,a Randomized Clinical Trial

BackgroundPrevious research has demonstrated the benefits of both stabilization and non-stabilization of the scapula during stretching in individuals with posterior shoulder tightness, but limited evidence exists in patients with shoulder pain.Hypothesis/PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of stabilized scapular stretching on patients with shoulder pain. The primary hypothesis of this study is that stabilized scapular stretching will improve glenohumeral motion and pain compared to non-stabilized stretch program. A secondary hypothesis of this study is that stabilized scapular stretching will produce greater improvement in function compared to the non-stabilized stretching program.Study DesignRandomized Clinical TrialMethodsSixteen patients with sub-acromial pain associated with tendinopathy and associated pathologies presenting to physical therapy were randomized into two groups (stabilized or non-stabilized scapular stretching). Baseline pain and range of motion were measured prior to and following each treatment session for three visits that occurred over the course five to seventeen days depending on the patients availability. The dependent measurements were stabilized horizontal adduction, stabilized internal rotation, stabilized shoulder flexion, non-stabilized shoulder flexion, and current pain level.ResultsPatients in the scapular stabilization stretching group increased horizontal adduction 40° (CI₉₅ 31, 48°) compared to the non-stabilization stretching group increase of 8° (CI₉₅ 0, 17°) over the course of the three treatments (p<0.001). Similarly, the stabilized stretching group increased internal rotation 48° (CI₉₅ 26, 69°) compared to the non-stabilized stretching group increase of 26° (CI₉₅ 4, 48°) (p=0.001). Pain decreased in the stabilized stretching group by 1.4 points (CI₉₅ -0.4, 3.2) but increased slightly in non-stabilized group by -0.5 points (CI₉₅ -2.3, 1.3) which was not a clinically meaningful change. (p=0.03)ConclusionStabilized scapular stretching was more effective than non-stabilized stretching at gaining shoulder mobility in patients with shoulder pain. Benefits were immediate and sustained between treatment sessions. Stretching interventions improved range of motion but had limited effect on shoulder pain.Level of Evidence2     

Endovascular treatment of traumatic aortic rupture using iliac extension stent-grafts in patients with small aortic diameters

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESTo evaluate outcomes after thoracic endovascular aortic repair in young patients sustaining traumatic blunt aortic injury (BAI) using iliac extension stent-grafts because of small aortic diameters measuring <24 mm.METHODSRetrospective analysis regarding clinical presentation, trauma management, endovascular techniques and outcome of patients with a small descending aorta involving an iliac extension stent-graft to treat traumatic BAI.RESULTSAmong 48 patients who suffered a BAI and underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 7 received iliac extension stent-grafts. They were 27.4/[standard deviation (SD): −13.1] years old and 6 out of 7 were male. The iliac extension stent-graft was used as distal stent-graft, and a thoracic stent-graft was used in most patients as proximal extension. We achieved overall technical success in all patients during a procedure lasting 92.6 (SD: 54.9) min. One patient died 2 days after the endovascular procedure of hypoxic brain injury, and another died after 17 days of liver failure. That patient had also suffered a spinal cord injury following the procedure, as the stent-graft had been deployed in Ishimaru Zone 2, and the carotid to subclavian bypass had to be omitted because of his critical condition. Control computed tomographic angiographs was available in 6 patients after 7.7 (SD: 5.1) days and showed no endoleak. The surviving patients were discharged after 18.4 (SD: 13.4) days.CONCLUSIONSTreating traumatic BAI using iliac extension stent-grafts in young patients with small aortic diameters is feasible. We observed no mortality caused by the BAI or related to endovascular therapy within this small patient cohort.     

Characterization of Healthcare-Associated and Community-Associated Clostridioides difficile Infections among Adults,Canada, 2015–2019

We investigated epidemiologic and molecular characteristics of healthcare-associated (HA) and community-associated (CA) Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) among adult patients in Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program hospitals during 2015–2019. The study encompassed 18,455 CDI cases, 13,735 (74.4%) HA and 4,720 (25.6%) CA. During 2015–2019, HA CDI rates decreased by 23.8%, whereas CA decreased by 18.8%. HA CDI was significantly associated with increased 30-day all-cause mortality as compared with CA CDI (p<0.01). Of 2,506 isolates analyzed, the most common ribotypes (RTs) were RT027, RT106, RT014, and RT020. RT027 was more often associated with CDI-attributable death than was non-RT027, regardless of acquisition type. Overall resistance C. difficile rates were similar for all drugs tested except moxifloxacin. Adult HA and CA CDI rates have declined, coinciding with changes in prevalence of RT027 and RT106. Infection prevention and control and continued national surveillance are integral to clarifying CDI epidemiology, investigation, and control.     

How we make choices and sacrifices in medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In this commentary, we highlight some of the pressing choices and sacrifices we must make in medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Effect of one-rescuer compression/ventilation ratios on cardiopulmonary resuscitation in infant, pediatric, and adult manikins.

OBJECTIVE: Optimal chest compression to ventilation ratio (C:V) for one-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not known, with current American Heart Association recommendations 3:1 for newborns, 5:1 for children, and 15:2 for adults. C:V ratios influence effectiveness of CPR, but memorizing different ratios is educationally cumbersome. We hypothesized that a 10:2 ratio might provide adequate universal application for all age arrest victims. DESIGN: Clinical study. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. SUBJECTS: Thirty-five health care providers. INTERVENTIONS: Thirty-five health care providers performed 5-min epochs of one-rescuer CPR at C:V ratios of 3:1, 5:1, 10:2, and 15:2 in random order on infant, pediatric, and adult manikins. Compressions were paced at 100/min by metronome. The number of effective compressions and ventilations delivered per minute was recorded by a trained basic life support instructor. Subjective assessments of fatigue (self-report) and exertion (change in rescuer pulse rate compared with baseline) were assessed. Analysis was by repeated measures analysis of variance and paired Student's t-test. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Effective infant compressions per minute did not differ by C:V ratio, but ventilations per minute were greater at 3:1 vs. 5:1, 10:2, and 15:2 (p < .05). Effective pediatric compressions per minute were less at 3:1 vs. 5:1, 10:2, and 15:2 (p < .05) and not different between 5:1, 10:2, and 15:2 ratios. Effective pediatric ventilations per minute were greater at 3:1 than all other ratios and both 5:1 and 10:2 were >15:2 (p < .05). Effective adult compressions per minute were progressively greater with 3:1 vs. 5:1 vs. 10:2 vs. 15:2 (p < .05). Self-efficacy was assessed, and rescuers always subjectively rated 10:2 and 15:2 ratios as easier than 5:1 or 3:1 ratios for all manikins. Rescuer pulse change (exertion) was greater after pediatric and adult vs. infant CPR (p < .05), with no significant difference by C:V ratio. CONCLUSIONS: C:V ratio and manikin size have a significant influence on the number of effective compressions and ventilations delivered during ideal, metronome-paced, one-rescuer CPR. Low ratios of 3:1, 5:1, and 10:2 favor ventilation, and high ratios of 15:2 favor compression, especially in adult manikins. Rescuers subjectively preferred C:V ratios of 10:2 and 15:2 over 3:1 or 5:1. Infant CPR caused less exertion and subjective fatigue than pediatric or adult CPR technique, without significant difference by C:V ratio. We speculate that a universal 10:2 C:V ratio for one-rescuer layperson CPR is physiologically reasonable but warrants further study with particular attention to educational value and technique retention.