MSKI reduction strategies: evidence-based interventions to reduce musculoskeletal injuries in military service members.

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) are one of the biggest challenges for military services globally, contributing to substantial financial burdens and lost training and working days. Effective evidence-based intervention strategies are essential to reduce MSKI incidence, and research has shown the positive effect of both nutritional interventions and physical training (PT) interventions on reducing MSKI incidence. Levels of vitamin D metabolites have been associated with MSKI and bone stress fracture risk, while calcium and vitamin D supplementation has been shown to reduce the incidence of stress fractures during military training.

The feasibility of implementing an evidence-based physical training program during a Canadian Armed Forces basic infantry course.

Objectives: Determine the feasibility of implementing an evidence-based training program compared to a control during a basic infantry training course, and compare their effectiveness on measures of injuries and associated burdens.

Design: Prospective, cohort, feasibility study.

Methods: Infantry candidates awaiting course between 01-April-2019 and 31-March-2020 were invited to participate while those releasing from the military, awaiting occupational transfer or having >5 medical employment limitation days were excluded.

Comparing the Efficiency of Software-Based Speech Recognition Versus Traditional Telephone Transcription in an Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Practice.

Introduction: Speech recognition (SR) uses computerized word recognition software that automatically transcribes spoken words to written text. Some studies indicate that SR may improve efficiency of electronic charting as well as associated cost and turnaround time1,2, but it remains unclear in the literature whether SR is superior to traditional transcription (TT). This study compared the impact of report generation efficiency of SR to TT at the Canadian Armed Forces Health Services Centre.

Association Between Musculoskeletal Injuries and the Canadian Armed Forces Physical Employment Standard Proxy in Canadian Military Recruits.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) and recruitment are major challenges faced by modern military forces. The Canadian Armed Forces uses a physical employment standard (PES) proxy to determine occupational fitness and job suitability. It is unknown whether the performance on the PES proxy can be also used as predictor of MSKIs.

"CAD-on" Interfaces - Fracture Mechanics Characterization.

Purpose: To apply fracture mechanics methodology to determine the interfacial fracture toughness of the interfaces present in "CAD-on" crowns consisting of CAD/CAM milled lithium disilicate veneers glass-fused to CAD/CAM milled yttrium oxide stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal framework.

Materials And Methods: The notchless triangular prism specimen fracture toughness test was used to determine interfacial fracture toughness. Four groups, each consisting of (6 × 6 × 6 × 12) mm prisms (n = 22), were produced.

Risk of Motor Vehicle Collision or Driving Impairment After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Collaborative International Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To synthesize knowledge of the risk of motor vehicle collision (MVC) following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the associated risk of driving impairment, as measured by on-road tests, computerized simulators, and self-reported or state-recorded driving records.

Methods: Our international team searched 7 databases for studies published between 1990 and 2015 of people with TBI, controls, and data concerning either MVC or driving impairment. The included articles examined the risk of MVC among people with TBI; we excluded studies that examined the risk of having a TBI associated with being involved in an MVC.

Gait differences between K3 and K4 persons with transfemoral amputation across level and non-level walking conditions.

Background:: A transfemoral amputee's functional level can be classified from K-level 0 (lowest) to K-level 4 (highest). Knowledge of the biomechanical differences between K3 and K4 transfemoral amputation could help inform clinical professionals and researchers in amputee care and gait assessment.

Objectives:: Explore gait differences between K3- and K4-level transfemoral amputation across different surface conditions.

Antibiotics in the treatment of patients with lower back pain associated with Modic changes: a case series.

Purpose: To determine the clinical effect of antibiotic treatment for patients with low back pain and Modic 1 changes.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series of patients treated at the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre in Ottawa and the McGill University Health Centre. Where available, pain, functional, and imaging outcomes in 11 patients treated between 2013 and 2015 were analyzed to determine effect of antibiotic treatment for patients with low back pain and associated Modic 1 changes on magnetic resonance imaging.

Effectiveness of Directional Preference to Guide Management of Low Back Pain in Canadian Armed Forces Members: A Pragmatic Study.

Introduction: Low-back pain (LBP) is a leading cause for disability in military personnel. Consequently, effective management strategies are required to maintaining operational capabilities. Physical therapy clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of directional preference (DP) to guide management.

Treatment of enemy wounded: evidence from the No. 7 Canadian Stationary Hospital (Dalhousie University).

Dalhousie University, with the help of the other Maritime universities formed and sent a hospital to Europe during the First World War (WWI). They served from January 1916 to April 1919. There is no comprehensive account of the treatment of German wounded by Canadian Medical Services in WWI; however, there is direct photographic and written evidence from the No.

Randomised controlled trial comparing marksmanship following application of a tourniquet or haemostatic clamp in healthy volunteers.

Background: In a care under fire situation, a first line response to haemorrhage is to apply a tourniquet and return fire. However, there is little understanding of how tourniquets and other haemorrhage control devices impact marksmanship.

Methods: We compared the impact of the iTClamp and the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) on marksmanship.

Sleep deficits in the High Arctic summer in relation to light exposure and behaviour: use of melatonin as a countermeasure.

Background: There are conflicting reports regarding seasonal sleep difficulties in polar regions. Herein we report differences in actigraphic sleep measures between two summer trials (collected at Canadian Forces Station Alert, 82.5°N, in 2012 and 2014) and evaluate exogenous melatonin for preventing/treating circadian phase delay due to nocturnal light exposure.

The efficacy of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares: A preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study.

Objective: Investigate the efficacy of nabilone capsules (NAB) in reducing the frequency and intensity of nightmares in subjects with PTSD.

Patients And Methods: Canadian male military personnel with PTSD, who despite standard treatment continued to experience trauma-related nightmares, received double-blind treatment with 0.5mg NAB or placebo (PBO), and then titrated to the effective dose (nightmare suppression) or reaching a maximum of 3.

Summary of recommendations on malaria issues in special hosts.

Background: On behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) developed the for Canadian health care providers who are preparing patients for travel to malaria-endemic areas and treating travellers who have returned ill.

Objective: To provide guidelines on malaria issues related to special hosts.

Methods: CATMAT reviewed all major sources of information on malaria prevention, as well as recent research and national and international epidemiological data, to tailor guidelines to the Canadian context.

Summary of recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of malaria by the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT).

Background: On behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) developed the for Canadian health care providers who are preparing patients for travel to malaria-endemic areas and treating travellers who have returned ill. These recommendations aim to achieve appropriate diagnosis and management of malaria, a disease that is still uncommon in Canada.

Objective: To provide recommendations on the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of malaria.

Summary of recommendations for the prevention of malaria by the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT).

Background: On behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) developed the for Canadian health care providers who are preparing patients for travel to malaria-endemic areas and treating travellers who have returned ill.

Objective: To provide guidelines on risk assessment and prevention of malaria.

Methods: CATMAT reviewed all major sources of information on malaria prevention, as well as recent research and national and international epidemiological data, to tailor guidelines to the Canadian context.

The use of a synthetic cannabinoid in the management of treatment-resistant nightmares in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Unlabelled: This is the report of an open label clinical trial to evaluate the effects of nabilone, an endocannabinoid receptor agonist, on treatment-resistant nightmares in patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods: Charts of 47 patients diagnosed with PTSD and having continuing nightmares in spite of conventional antidepressants and hypnotics were reviewed after adjunctive treatment with nabilone was initiated. These patients had been referred to a psychiatric specialist outpatient clinic between 2004 and 2006.