Smartphone Technology to Facilitate Remote Postural Balance Assessment in Acute Concussion Management: Pilot Study.

Impaired balance is a key symptom following acute concussion. Unfortunately, the recommended clinical balance assessment lacks sensitivity and discriminative ability, relying on the experience of the clinician for interpretation. The aim of this pilot study is to explore smartphone technology to remotely assess balance impairment in people with acute concussion.

Silicone Irregular Hexagon Pessary Versus Polyvinyl Chloride Ring Pessary for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Randomised Controlled Trial.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Vaginal pessaries are the mainstay of the non-surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). A flexible silicone irregular hexagonal (SIH) pessary was developed based on the results of a prior vaginal case study. We hypothesised that the SIH pessary would have a higher rate of retention and self-management than the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pessary.

Health literacy after traumatic brain injury: characterisation and control comparison.

Background Little is known about health literacy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors. The aims of this study were to compare health literacy in individuals with TBI with that of a control group; to examine the association between health literacy in individuals with TBI and demographic, injury, and cognitive factors; and compare the relationship between health literacy and physical and mental health outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional observational study design was used.

A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programmes or Strategies to Treat People With Persistent Knee Pain Following a Total Knee Replacement.

Background: Persistent high levels of knee pain after a total knee replacement have been estimated to affect 5%-10% of people and this is related to dissatisfaction with surgery, reduced function and reduced quality of life. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs or strategies to reduce persistent pain and improve function and quality of life in people following a total knee replacement.

Methods: The systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines with a search of relevant online databases up to 17 July 2024.

Five-year outcomes of fractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer from the TRANSFORM phase II trial.

Metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) for oligometastatic prostate cancer (PCa), including stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), has shown promise but is still considered investigational. This is the 5-year analysis of the TRANSFORM trial, the largest prospective cohort of men with oligometastatic PCa treated with SBRT-based MDT. The primary endpoint was 5-year treatment escalation-free survival (TE-FS), defined as freedom from any new cancer therapy other than further SBRT.

Managing Bilateral Discontinuous Pulmonary Arteries of Ductal Origin in Single-Ventricle Anatomy.

Background: We describe outcomes and management strategies for single-ventricle and bilaterally discontinuous pulmonary arteries (PAs) originating from bilateral ductus arteriosus.

Methods: We reviewed 22 patients with aforementioned anatomy and PA centralization from 1995 to 2023, excluding those with biventricular repair.

Results: Median age at centralization was 9 days (minimum-maximum, 0 days-2 years).

When stroke survivors' self-ratings are inconsistent with the ratings of others: a cohort study examining biopsychosocial factors associated with impaired self-awareness of functional abilities.

Background Stroke survivors' self-ratings of functional abilities are often inconsistent with ratings assigned by others (e.g. clinicians), a phenomenon referred to as 'impaired self-awareness' (ISA).

Sleep Disturbance During Post-Traumatic Amnesia and Early Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury.

After moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), sleep disturbance commonly emerges during the confused post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) recovery stage. However, the evaluation of early sleep disturbance during PTA, its recovery trajectory, and influencing factors is limited. This study aimed to evaluate sleep outcomes in patients experiencing PTA using ambulatory gold-standard polysomnography (PSG) overnight and salivary endogenous melatonin (a hormone that influences the sleep-wake cycle) assessment at two time-points.

The impact of age on outcome 2 years after traumatic brain injury: Case control study.

Background: Age is associated with outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, there are mixed findings across outcome domains and most studies lack controls.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined the association between age group (15-24 years, 25-34 years, 35-44 years, 45-54 years, 55-64 years, and 65 years or more) and outcomes 2 years after TBI in independence in daily activities, driving, public transportation use, employment, leisure activities, social integration, relationships and emotional functioning, relative to healthy controls.

Considering the Importance of Personal and Injury Factors Influencing Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: Given the high variability in traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes and relative lack of examination of the influence of noninjury factors on outcome, this study aimed to examine factors associated with functional outcome at 1 and 2 years after moderate to severe TBI, including both preinjury and injury-related factors.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Inpatient hospital recruitment with outpatient follow-up at 1 and 2 years post injury.

Long-Term Outcomes of Ascending Sliding Arch Aortoplasty.

Coarctation of the aorta can be associated with significant hypoplasia of the aortic arch. In contrast to patch aortoplasty, ascending sliding arch aortoplasty uses viable autologous tissue for potential growth in children. We reviewed the mid- to long-term outcomes of this technique.

High pain reported at 3 months post-total knee arthroplasty often persists for the next 3 years and is associated with reduced function and quality of life.

Background And Aims: Five to ten percent of people having a knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis continue to experience high pain levels more than 3 months after surgery. The primary aim of this study was to determine the relative risk (RR) of having high pain at 12 and 36 months based on the presence of high pain at 3 and 12 months, respectively.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from a prospective study of participants who had a total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.

Comparison of F-based PSMA radiotracers with [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 in PET/CT imaging of prostate cancer-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) has become an increasingly established imaging modality in the staging of prostate cancer (PCa). Numerous PSMA-based tracers are currently available, however, there is a lack of consensus on the optimal radiotracer(s) for PSMA PET/CT. This study aims to investigate whether Fluorine-18 (F)-labelled PSMA PET/CT is significantly different from Gallium-68 (Ga) in primary diagnosis and/or secondary staging of prostate cancer following biochemical recurrence.

The CONFIRM trial protocol: the utility of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography in active surveillance for prostate cancer.

Objectives: Primary objectives: To determine the additive value of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the risk stratification of men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) who would have otherwise been deemed suitable for active surveillance (AS). Specifically, we aim to determine if PSMA PET/CT can detect a cohort of men on AS that are in fact high risk and likely to experience unfavourable outcomes should they remain on their current treatment pathway.

Secondary Objectives: to determine the additive value of PSMA PET/CT to repeat multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate and explore whether a confirmatory biopsy may be avoided in men with a negative PSMA PET/CT and a negative repeat mpMRI of the prostate (Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System score of <3).

Outcomes of conservative treatment of acromial and scapular spine stress fracture post reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: Acromial and scapular spine stress fractures are common complications post reverse shoulder arthroplasty. A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcomes of conservatively treated acromial and scapular spine stress fractures post reverse shoulder arthroplasty in comparison to nonfracture control.

Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched on September 9, 2022, using various terms related to fracture, acromion, scapula, and reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

South of the UES: Improving the ability of speech-language pathologists to detect oesophageal abnormalities during videofluoroscopy swallowing studies.

Purpose: With two-thirds of adults presenting for a videofluoroscopy swallow study (VFSS) with oesophageal abnormalities, it seems prudent to include visualisation of the oesophagus, in the context of the entire swallow process, to provide further information to the diagnostic team. This study aims to evaluate the ability of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to interpret oesophageal sweep on VFSS and the relative improvement in that ability with additional training.

Method: One hundred SLPs attended training in oesophageal visualisation during VFSS, based on a previous study.

The Demoralization Interview: Reliability and validity of a new brief diagnostic measure among medically ill patients.

Background: Demoralization is a state of low morale and poor coping that is being increasingly recognized in stressful circumstances, such as illness. Meta-analyses show prevalence of 30% in the medically and 50% in the mentally ill. A brief structured diagnostic interview is needed to assess for and diagnose demoralization.

Improved Outcomes for Infants and Young Children Undergoing Lung Transplantation at Three Years of Age and Younger.

Since its inception, older children and adolescents have predominated in pediatric lung transplantation. Most pediatric lung transplant programs around the world have transplanted few infants and young children. Early mortality after lung transplantation and inadequate donor organs have been perceived as limitations for success in lung transplantation at this age.

The adequacy of user seal checking for N95 respirators compared to formal fit testing: A multicentred observational study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of the user seal check (USC) in predicting N95 respirator fit.

Design: This was a prospective, observational study conducted from May to September 2020.

Setting: The study setting included three private intensive care units (ICUs) in Victoria, Australia.

Is inpatient rehabilitation a predictor of a lower incidence of persistent knee pain 3-months following total knee replacement? A retrospective, observational study.

Background: Moderate to severe levels of persistent knee pain have been estimated to affect up to 25% of people 3-months or more after a total knee replacement. It is unknown whether the type of rehabilitation pathway is associated with persistent high pain after surgery. Using a prospectively followed Australian cohort who underwent total knee replacement for knee osteoarthritis, this study aimed to i) report the incidence of high-intensity knee pain (defined as a score ≤ 15 on the Oxford Knee Score pain subscale) across time and ii) identify whether referral to inpatient rehabilitation was one of the predictors of persistent pain at 3-months post-surgery.

Reduction in Offset Is Associated With Worse Functional Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Conflicting reports exist about the effect of offset variation on functional outcomes following total hip arthroplasty. Reproducing native hip offset is thought to optimize function by restoring biomechanics and appropriately tensioning the hip abductor muscles. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of failing to restore global hip offset in comparison to the native contralateral hip.