Nurse-delivered sleep restriction therapy to improve insomnia disorder in primary care: the HABIT RCT.

Background: Insomnia is a prevalent and distressing sleep disorder. Multicomponent cognitive-behavioural therapy is the recommended first-line treatment, but access remains extremely limited, particularly in primary care where insomnia is managed. One principal component of cognitive-behavioural therapy is a behavioural treatment called sleep restriction therapy, which could potentially be delivered as a brief single-component intervention by generalists in primary care.

Sleep and motor learning in stroke (SMiLES): a longitudinal study investigating sleep-dependent consolidation of motor sequence learning in the context of recovery after stroke.

Introduction: There is growing evidence that sleep is disrupted after stroke, with worse sleep relating to poorer motor outcomes. It is also widely acknowledged that consolidation of motor learning, a critical component of poststroke recovery, is sleep-dependent. However, whether the relationship between disrupted sleep and poor outcomes after stroke is related to direct interference of sleep-dependent motor consolidation processes, is currently unknown.

Nurse-delivered sleep restriction therapy in primary care for adults with insomnia disorder: a mixed-methods process evaluation.

Background: Sleep restriction therapy (SRT) is a behavioural therapy for insomnia.

Aim: To conduct a process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial comparing SRT delivered by primary care nurses plus a sleep hygiene booklet with the sleep hygiene booklet only for adults with insomnia disorder.

Design And Setting: A mixed-methods process evaluation in a general practice setting.

Clinical and cost-effectiveness of nurse-delivered sleep restriction therapy for insomnia in primary care (HABIT): a pragmatic, superiority, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Insomnia is prevalent and distressing but access to the first-line treatment, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is extremely limited. We aimed to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of sleep restriction therapy, a key component of CBT, which has the potential to be widely implemented.

Methods: We did a pragmatic, superiority, open-label, randomised controlled trial of sleep restriction therapy versus sleep hygiene.

Improving sleep and learning in rehabilitation after stroke, part 2 (INSPIRES2): study protocol for a home-based randomised control trial of digital cognitive behavioural therapy (dCBT) for insomnia.

Introduction: Consolidation of motor skill learning, a key component of rehabilitation post-stroke, is known to be sleep dependent. However, disrupted sleep is highly prevalent after stroke and is often associated with poor motor recovery and quality of life. Previous research has shown that digital cognitive behavioural therapy (dCBT) for insomnia can be effective at improving sleep quality after stroke.

Engaging Community Partners to Understand and Respond to Substance Use and Addiction Crisis Facing Families in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Substance use is a persisting health care crisis that has led to residents' addiction to diverse substances in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. This public health issue affects not only those with a substance use disorder but also those within their circle of family and friends. This paper aims to outline the community engagement processes that we undertook to identify community priorities for addressing the substance use and addiction issues facing them.

Can a Portable Balance System Predict Fall Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Women?

Purpose: Increased fall risk has been linked to age, being female, and age-related changes in the postural control system. The purpose of this study was to determine if a portable balance system could predict fall risk by determining the relationship among the modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) scores, age, the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) score, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score in community-dwelling older women. Insight into these relationships may facilitate early intervention and decrease fall risk in older women.

Prospective validation of the RAPID clinical risk prediction score in adult patients with pleural infection: the PILOT study.

Background: Over 30% of adult patients with pleural infection either die and/or require surgery. There is no robust means of predicting at baseline presentation which patients will suffer a poor clinical outcome. A validated risk prediction score would allow early identification of high-risk patients, potentially directing more aggressive treatment thereafter.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the periodic eye examination in children aged 0-5 years in Canada.

Background: As eye disease before age 5 years is common, some form of vision screening should be performed on children before attending primary school. However, the lack of consistent national recommendations creates confusion for patients, eye care professionals, and governments alike.

Methods: The objective of this document is to provide guidance on the recommended timing, intervals, and types of ocular assessments for healthy children aged 0-5 years.

Guide de pratique clinique fondé sur des données probantes pour l'examen périodique de la vue chez les enfants de 0 à 5 ans au Canada.

Contexte: Étant donné que les maladies oculaires avant l'âge de 5 ans sont courantes, une certaine forme de dépistage des troubles de la vision devrait être effectuée chez les enfants avant qu'ils ne fréquentent l'école primaire. Cependant, l'absence de recommandations nationales cohérentes crée de la confusion chez les patients, les professionnels des soins oculovisuels et les gouvernements. MéTHODES: L'objectif de ce document est de fournir des recommandations quant aux types d'examens oculaires à pratiquer chez les enfants en bonne santé de 0 à 5 ans ainsi que sur le moment et la périodicité de tels examens.

Does Hands-on Guarding Influence Performance on the Functional Gait Assessment?

Background And Purpose: An accurate fall risk assessment is an important component of fall prevention, though a fall could occur during testing. To minimize this risk, different guarding methods are used, though there is disagreement regarding the optimal method. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of 2 guarding methods, contact guarding (CG) and standby guarding (SG), on performance during the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA).

Value of Routine Eye Examinations in Asymptomatic Patients.

Purpose: To determine if routine eye examinations in asymptomatic patients result in spectacle prescription change, new critical diagnosis, or new management of existing conditions. We also investigate whether age and time between assessments (assessment interval) impact detection rates.

Methods: The Waterloo Eye Study (WatES) database was created from a retrospective file review of 6397 patients seen at the University of Waterloo Optometry Clinic.

Acoustic Hearing After Murine Cochlear Implantation: Effects of Trauma and Implant Type.

Objectives: To model the contribution of implant material and insertion trauma on loss of acoustic hearing after cochlear implantation in an appropriate animal model.

Methods: Sixty-five C57Bl/6J mice underwent unilateral implantation with implant grade materials: 2 implant grade silicones and a third uncoated platinum wire. A sham surgery group was included as a control.

The Effect of Age on Postoperative Morbidity in Women Undergoing Urogynecologic Surgery.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to estimate the effect of older age on postoperative morbidity and to assess other factors associated with postoperative complications after urogynecologic surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 508 women who underwent pelvic floor reconstructive surgery between March 2011 and June 2013. Our 2 cohorts were based on age--women younger than 65 years and women aged 65 years or older.

Examination of the use of a dual-channel functional electrical stimulation system on gait, balance and balance confidence of an adult with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

The purpose of this case report is to determine the effects of a dual-channel functional electrical stimulation (FES) system on gait and balance of a 57-year-old male diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Outcome measures included the: Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC); Dynamic Gait Index (DGI); Observational Gait Scale (OGS) and Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). Assessments were completed with and without use of FES during the initial examination and after two, four and six weeks of intervention with FES.

Short-term mesh exposure after robotic sacrocolpopexy with and without concomitant hysterectomy.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to compare the short-term rate of mesh exposure after a robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSCP) compared with those after RSCP with a concomitant hysterectomy. Secondary objectives included a comparison of mesh exposure from total hysterectomies (TH) versus supracervical hysterectomies (SCH) and determination of risk factors for mesh exposure.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent RSCP between January 2009 and December 2011 at one academic center.

Does government assistance improve utilization of eye care services by low-income individuals?

Objective: To examine whether government-funded, low-income vision care programs improve use of eye care services by low-income individuals in Canada.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Participants: 27,375 white respondents to the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Healthy Aging 2008/2009.

Randomized trial of a web-based tool for prolapse: impact on patient understanding and provider counseling.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Effective patient/provider communication is important to ensure patient understanding, safety, and satisfaction. Our hypothesis was that interactive patient/provider counseling using a web-based tool (iPad application) would have a greater impact on patient satisfaction with understanding prolapse symptoms compared with standard counseling (SC).

Methods: Women with complaints of seeing/sensing a vaginal bulge were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial.

Characterization of avian poxvirus in Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) in California, USA.

Avian poxvirus (genus Avipoxvirus, family Poxviridae) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that may be transmitted to birds by arthropod vectors or mucosal membrane contact with infectious particles. We characterized the infection in Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna; n = 5 birds, n = 9 lesions) by conducting diagnostic tests on skin lesions that were visually similar to avian poxvirus lesions in other bird species. Skin lesions were single or multiple, dry and firm, pink to yellow, with scabs on the surface, and located at the base of the bill, wings, or legs.

Estimating the early impact of the FDA safety communication on the use of surgical mesh.

Objectives: To estimate the early impact of the July 2011 Food and Drug Administration Safety Communication on the practice patterns of gynecologic surgeons using surgical mesh to manage pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed by administering a mesh usage questionnaire to physician attendees at the opening session of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists Global Congress of Minimally Invasive Gynecology in November 2011.

Results: Of the 827 physicians attending the opening session of the conference, 281 (34%) completed the questionnaire, 202 (72%) of whom reported performing surgery for POP and/or SUI.

Robotic versus vaginal urogynecologic surgery: a retrospective cohort study of perioperative complications in elderly women.

Objectives: The primary objective was to compare perioperative complications after robotic surgery (RS) versus vaginal surgery (VS) for apical prolapse repair in elderly women. The secondary objectives were to (1) assess whether tools designed to predict surgical morbidity, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), are useful in the elderly urogynecologic population and (2) to classify complications during urogynecologic apical procedures using the Dindo classification system.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of women 65 years or older who underwent RS or VS between March 2006 and April 2011.