Use of a three-curved rocker sole shoe modification to improve intermittent claudication calf pain--a pilot study.

This was a pilot study utilizing hospital-based walking trials to compare two footwear conditions. Two pairs of identical therapeutic shoes were ordered for volunteer claudicant subjects. One pair was adapted with a specifically designed three-curve rocker sole.

Are automated blood pressure monitors accurate enough to calculate the ankle brachial pressure index?

Objective: Conventional sphygmomanometers are being replaced by automated devices; can they be used to accurately calculate ABPI?

Method: Thirty-six volunteers (72 legs) attending a vascular clinic had their ankle, brachial blood pressure and ABPIs calculated using each of these 3 methods. (1) Conventional aneuroid BP cuff with hand held doppler. (2) OMRON HEM 705CP portable automated BP monitor.