Validity and reliability of the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures - Physiotherapy, for podiatry (AusTOMs-PT for use in podiatry).

Background: Valid and reliable outcome measure enable measurement of health care service impact. There are limited valid and reliable outcome measures for use in podiatry practice to measure the impact of treatment. This research aimed to test the face validity of the AusTOMs for Physiotherapy (AusTOMs-PT), it's adaptability to podiatry clinical practice and the reliability of its use with podiatrists.

Implementing a podiatry prescribing mentoring program in a public health service: a cost-description study.

Background: In the management of diabetes and high-risk patients, timely treatment with scheduled medicines is critical to prevent severe infections and reduce the risk of lower extremity amputation. However, in Australia, few podiatrists have attained endorsement to prescribe. The aims of this study were to identify the costs associated with developing and implementing a podiatry prescribing mentoring program; and to compare the cost of this program against potential healthcare savings produced.

Comparative effectiveness research for the clinician researcher: a framework for making a methodological design choice.

Comparative effectiveness research compares two active forms of treatment or usual care in comparison with usual care with an additional intervention element. These types of study are commonly conducted following a placebo or no active treatment trial. Research designs with a placebo or non-active treatment arm can be challenging for the clinician researcher when conducted within the healthcare environment with patients attending for treatment.

Health related quality of life of children with calcaneal apophysitis: child & parent perceptions.

Background: Children with a clinical diagnosis of calcaneal apophysitis reportedly experience impaired physical ability. Patient reported outcome assessments measure the level of conditional specific interference in everyday life. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the child and parent perceptions of health related quality of life (QOL) associated with calcaneal apophysitis.

Effectiveness of footwear and foot orthoses for calcaneal apophysitis: a 12-month factorial randomised trial.

Objective: Calcaneal apophysitis, is a relatively common cause of heel pain in children. Very few randomised studies have evaluated treatment options. This trial compared the effectiveness of currently employed treatment options for the relief of pain and disability associated with calcaneal apophysitis.

Factors Associated with Pain Severity in Children with Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever Disease).

Objective: To identify any association between the pain experienced as a result of calcaneal apophysitis, anthropometric data, and lower limb measurements.

Study Design: This study was a cross-sectional study, nested within a wider randomized, comparative efficacy trial. One hundred twenty-four children between the ages of 8 and 14 years with a clinical diagnosis of calcaneal apophysitis were recruited for this study.

Statin use and peripheral sensory perception: a pilot study.

Objectives: Peripheral sensory neuropathy is a neurological deficit resulting in decreased detection of sensation through the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral sensory neuropathy is commonly diagnosed with the use of a monofilament and either a tuning fork or neurothesiometer. Statins are a widely used medication and there has been some debate of association with their use and peripheral sensory neuropathy.

Metatarsus adductus: development of a non-surgical treatment pathway.

Metatarsus adductus (MA) occurs in one to two cases per 1000 births and is the most common congenital foot deformity in newborns. The appearance is that of a curved or adducted forefoot with a normal hindfoot. A systematic literature review was conducted to answer the following question: For a child who presents with MA, what is the most evidence-based conservative treatment option? Thirteen articles were reviewed using the National Health and Medical Research Council levels of evidence and guidelines for clinical practice.

"Effectiveness of interventions in reducing pain and maintaining physical activity in children and adolescents with calcaneal apophysitis (Sever's disease): a systematic review".

Background: Calcaneal apophysitis, also commonly known as sever's disease, is a condition seen in children usually aged between 8-15 years. Conservative therapies, such as taping, heel lifts and orthotic intervention are accepted management practices for calcaneal apophysitis, though there is very little high quality research examining the efficacy of such treatment modalities. Previous narrative literature reviews and opinion pieces provide some evidence for the use of heel raises or orthoses.

Heel raises versus prefabricated orthoses in the treatment of posterior heel pain associated with calcaneal apophysitis (Sever's Disease): a randomised control trial.

Background: Posterior Heel pain can present in children of 8 to 14 years, associated with or clinically diagnosed as Sever's disease, or calcaneal apophysitis. Presently, there are no comparative randomised studies evaluating treatment options for posterior heel pain in children with the clinical diagnosis of calcaneal apophysitis or Sever's disease. This study seeks to compare the clinical efficacy of some currently employed treatment options for the relief of disability and pain associated with posterior heel pain in children.

Phosphorescence and Structure of a Tetrameric Copper(I)-Amide Cluster.

The colorless copper(I) cluster [CuN(Si(CH(3))(3))(2)](4), which contains a square-planar Cu(4)N(4) core, phosphoresces in CH(2)Cl(2) solution (lambda(max), 512 nm; lifetime, 30 &mgr;s) and in the solid state at room temperature. Its electronic absorption spectrum in CH(2)Cl(2) consists of two intense bands at 283 and 246 nm; these transitions, as well as the phosphorescence, are likely to involve population of MOs reflecting substantial Cu.Cu interactions.