RCT

Background: Chest physiotherapy (CPT) and positioning of neonates has been used in many developed countries around the world to improve airway clearance and avoid lung complications, but the combined effect of both techniques is less documented. The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy in prone position versus conventional chest physiotherapy in ventilated neonates on respiratory outcomes. Methods: The study design was randomized controlled pilot study. Participants: 12 ventilated neonates fitting in Inclusion Criteria. They were randomly divided into two groups (n=6 in each group) using simple random sampling i.e. Experimental group (4female and 2male) (Chest Physiotherapy and Prone Positioning) and the Control group (3 females and 3males) (Conventional Chest Physiotherapy). Primary outcome measures were SpO2 saturation, Partial Pressure of Arterial Oxygen (PaO2) & Peak Inspiratory Pressure (P.I.P.). Outcomes were recorded Pre & Post of every 120 minutes session of Intervention twice daily with a gap of 6 hours for consecutive three days for the experimental group while for the control group, parameters were measured at the same time of the day. Result: Total 10 participants completed the study protocol. On comparison of three parameters in two groups using the unpaired t-test we found that there was a significant difference (p< 0.05) in SpO2 and PaO2 in both groups but no difference (p >0.05) in P.I.P. levels. Conclusion: Chest physiotherapy in the prone position for ventilated neonate concluded with a higher oxygen saturation (SpO2) and partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2) when compared to conventional chest physiotherapy.

In February 2018, the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy organized a Research, Evaluation, and Learning Summit at the U.S. Institute of Peace to highlight best practices and identify key gaps and areas for improvement in US efforts to continually assess, learn, and improve the effectiveness of public diplomacy programs. By bringing together members of the State Department's public diplomacy research and evaluation community with experts from inter-agency bodies and the private sector, the Summit advanced the mission to measure and design impactful public engagement efforts.

Coinciding with the Summit, ACPD commissioned M&C Saatchi World Services to conduct an audit of global best practices in assessing public diplomacy programs, the results of which are included in this report. Put simply, this field-defining effort is a comprehensive accounting of best practices from around the world. Drawing upon 28 detailed case studies,
it provides in-depth analysis of the research and assessment practices from 17 countries, including input from Brazilian, Chinese, Turkish, and Russian practitioners.

Background: Tennis Elbow (TE) is a common disorder affecting the tendinous origin of the wrist extensors and evidences suggest association of trigger points in Biceps brachii, Pectoralis major and Latissmus dorsi with TE. Structural diagnosis and management (SDM) is a comprehensive biomechanical assessment process to treat musculoskeletal dysfunctions conceptualized by Dr, M Shahadat Hossain over 15 years of clinical practice. Objective: The objective of the study was to find out the effectiveness of myofascial release technique of Biceps brachii, Pectoralis major and Latissmus dorsi in SDM approach on pain and associated impairments in TE subjects. Study design: This study was a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study was conducted in the Outdoor musculoskeletal physiotherapy department of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) and Popular Medical College Hospital. 20 subjects with the LE were introduced in two groups equally. The MFR in SDM treatment protocol was provided for four weeks with 10 sessions. As Outcome measures Pain was measured by numerical pain rated scale (NPRS), ROM measured by using universal Goniometer, muscle powered measured by OXFORD grade scale and functional disability measured by patient rated tennis elbow disability questionnaires (PTEDQ). The outcome was assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks by independent assessor. Result: The result shown a significant decrease in pain and improvement in functional performance (p<0.05) in SDM group compared to control groups. MFR in SDM protocol found to have a greater effect on all outcome measures in TE subjects. However no significant change has been noted in ROM in any group. Conclusion: The result of this pilot study indicates that 4 weeks with 10 session of MFR in SDM Protocol was effective in improving pain and associated impairments in tennis elbow patients.

The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and the American Venous Forum (AVF) have developed clinical practice guidelines for the care of patients with varicose veins of the lower limbs and pelvis. The document also includes recommendations on the management of superficial and perforating vein incompetence in patients with associated, more advanced chronic venous diseases (CVDs), including edema, skin changes, or venous ulcers. Recommendations of the Venous Guideline Committee are based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system as strong (GRADE 1) if the benefits clearly outweigh the risks, burden, and costs. The suggestions are weak (GRADE 2) if the benefits are closely balanced with risks and burden. The level of available evidence to support the evaluation or treatment can be of high (A), medium (B), or low or very low (C) quality. The key recommendations of these guidelines are: We recommend that in patients with varicose veins or more...

Melasma is an irregular brown or grayish-brown facial hypermelanosis, often affecting women, especially those living in areas of intense UV radiation. The precise cause of melasma remains unknown; however, there are many possible contributing factors. Because of its dermal component and tendency to relapse, melasma is often difficult to treat. The use of broad-spectrum (UVA + UVB) sunscreen is important, as is topical hydroquinone, the most common treatment for melasma. Other lightening agents include retinoic acid (tretinoin) and azelaic acid. Combination therapies such as hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroids have been used in the treatment of melasma, and are thought to increase efficacy as compared with monotherapy. Kojic acid, isopropylcatechol, N-acetyl-4-cysteaminylphenol, and flavonoid extracts are other compounds that have been investigated for their ability to produce hypopigmentation, but their efficacy, safety, or trial design indicates that the interventions would need further study before they could be recommended. Chemical peels, laser treatments, and intense pulsed light therapy are additional therapeutic modalities that have been used to treat melasma.

Louw A, Diener I, Butler DS, Puentedura EJ. The effect of neuroscience education on pain, disability, anxiety, and stress in chronic musculoskeletal pain.To evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of neuroscience education (NE) for pain, disability, anxiety, and stress in chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain.Systematic searches were conducted on Biomed Central,BMJ.com, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, NLM Central Gateway, OVID, ProQuest (Digital Dissertations), PsycInfo, PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Secondary searching (PEARLing) was undertaken, whereby reference lists of the selected articles were reviewed for additional references not identified in the primary search.All experimental studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized clinical trials, and case series evaluating the effect of NE on pain, disability, anxiety, and stress for chronic MSK pain were considered for inclusion. Additional limitations: studies published in English, published within the last 10 years, and patients older than 18 years. No limitations were set on specific outcome measures of pain, disability, anxiety, and stress.Data were extracted using the participants, interventions, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) approach.Methodological quality was assessed by 2 reviewers using the Critical Review Form–Quantitative Studies. This review includes 8 studies comprising 6 high-quality RCTs, 1 pseudo-RCT, and 1 comparative study involving 401 subjects. Most articles were of good quality, with no studies rated as poor or fair. Heterogeneity across the studies with respect to participants, interventions evaluated, and outcome measures used prevented meta-analyses. Narrative synthesis of results, based on effect size, established compelling evidence that NE may be effective in reducing pain ratings, increasing function, addressing catastrophization, and improving movement in chronic MSK pain.For chronic MSK pain disorders, there is compelling evidence that an educational strategy addressing neurophysiology and neurobiology of pain can have a positive effect on pain, disability, catastrophization, and physical performance.

Von Programmen der selektiven Prävention im frühen Kindesalter wird erwartet, dass sie die Entwicklung von Kindern und ihren Eltern in psychosozialen Risikosituationen fördern und Entwicklungsverzögerungen sowie späteren Schulproblemen vorbeugen. Entsprechende Evaluationen sind nun auch in Europa in Gange. In der Schweiz läuft seit 2011 ZEPPELIN 0-3, eine Interventionsstudie zur interdisziplinären Früherkennung und Frühen Förderung von Kindern, die aus psychosozialen Gründen in ihrer Entwicklung gefährdet sind. Ziel ist die langfristig anhaltende Erhöhung ihrer Bildungschancen mittels Unterstützung ihrer Eltern durch das Programm „PAT –Mit Eltern Lernen“.