Worldwide, at least 200 million people are affected by peripheral vascular diseases (PVDs), including peripheral arterial disease (PAD), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The high prevalence and serious consequences of PVDs have led to the development of several diagnostic tools and clinical guidelines to assist timely diagnosis and patient management. Given the increasing number of diagnostic methods available, a comprehensive review of available technologies is timely in order to understand their limitations and direct future development effort. This paper reviews the available diagnostic methods for PAD, CVI, and DVT with a focus on non-invasive modalities. Each method is critically evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, ease of use, procedure time duration, and training requirements where applicable. This review emphasizes the limitations of existing methods, highlighting a latent need for the development of new non-invasive, efficient diagnostic methods. Some newly emerging technologies are identified, in particular wearable sensors, which demonstrate considerable potential to address the need for simple, cost-effective, accurate and timely diagnosis of PVDs.

High injury rates observed in athletes with cavus feet are thought to be associated with elevated plantar pressure loading. Neutral-cushioned running shoes are often recommended to manage and prevent such injuries. To investigate in-shoe plantar pressure loading and comfort during running in 2 popular neutral-cushioned running shoes recommended for athletes with cavus feet. Controlled laboratory study. Plantar pressures were collected using the in-shoe Novel Pedar-X system during overground running in 22 athletes with cavus feet in 2 neutral-cushioned running shoes (Asics Nimbus 6 and Brooks Glycerin 3) and a control condition (Dunlop Volley). Comfort was measured using a validated visual analog scale. Compared with the control, both neutral-cushioned running shoes significantly reduced peak pressure and pressure-time integrals by 17% to 33% (P < .001). The Brooks Glycerin most effectively reduced pressure beneath the whole foot and forefoot (P < .01), and the Asics Nimbus most effectively reduced rearfoot pressure (P < .01). Both neutral-cushioned running shoes reduced force at the forefoot by 6% and increased it at the midfoot by 12% to 17% (P < .05). Contact time and area increased in both neutral-cushioned running shoes (P < .01). The Asics Nimbus was the most comfortable, although both neutral-cushioned running shoes were significantly more comfortable than the control (P < .001). Two popular types of neutral-cushioned running shoes were effective at reducing plantar pressures in athletes with cavus feet. Regional differences in pressure reduction suggest neutral-cushioned running shoe recommendation should shift from being categorical in nature to being based on location of injury or elevated plantar pressure.

Work-related musculoskeletal problems impact everyday function, working ability, and quality of life. Unaddressed musculoskeletal problems can lead to major injury and loss of function, contributing to participation restrictions, economic loss and the increasing burden of disease worldwide. Medical science laboratory technicians are not immune with reported work-related musculoskeletal problems between 40 and 80%. Similar data is not available for medical science students, who may be the most vulnerable at the beginning of their careers. This study investigated the prevalence, common sites, impact and potential solutions for work-related musculoskeletal problems in medical science students during their university laboratory training. A Standardised Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was administered to medical science students at a local university in Sydney, Australia, to evaluate the prevalence, site and impact of work-related musculoskeletal problems. Problems were defined as an ache, pain, discomfort or numbness in body regions within 12 months and last 7 days in this period. The questionnaire was administered between April and June 2017. The response rate was 38.2% (n = 110/288). Over a third (n = 38/110) reported a laboratory related musculoskeletal problem in the last 12 months and just over a fifth (n = 24/110) within 7 days. The lower back (30% and 17%), neck (24% and 10%) and upper back (21% and 10%) were the most common sites of problems reported within a 12 month and 7 day period respectively. Problems reported in the lower back, neck and upper back prevented daily activities in the majority of cases (between 63 to 83%) with many seeking physician or health professional assistance (between 13 to 83%). Solutions suggested by respondents included better seating designs, rest periods and education about correct working posture. Some medical science students during their laboratory training are already experiencing high levels of musculoskeletal problems, even before they enter the workforce. While the response rate was low affecting generalizability, the extent of problems limiting activity and needs to seek assistance of those reporting problems is of concern. Strategies are suggested to address ergonomic and postural training, as part of university curriculums, including the identification of problems for early intervention to facilitate sustainable workforces.

The evidence about psychological therapies used to manage co-morbid depression after a spinal cord injury is presented here. A comprehensive search of five electronic databases identified nine studies (participants, n = 591) meeting inclusion criteria. Pooled statistical analyses were conducted in combination with narrative synthesis. Overall, multimodal cognitive behavioural therapy was found to be moderately effective (standardised mean difference = −0.52; 95% confidence interval = −0.85, −0.19). Activity scheduling, psychoeducation, problem solving and cognitive therapy may be particularly beneficial therapies within cognitive behavioural therapy. Further high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to better substantiate these findings.