Cell phone-supported cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders: a protocol for effectiveness studies in frontline settings

The resulting protocol (NCT01205191 at clinicaltrials.gov) for use in frontline clinical practice in which effectiveness, adherence, and the role of the therapists are analyzed, provides evidence for what are truly valuable cell phone-supported CBT treatments and guidance for the broader introduction of CBT in health services.Original Publication:Joakim Ekberg, Toomas Timpka, Magnus Bång, Anders Fröberg, Karin Halje and Henrik Eriksson, Cell phone-supported cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders: a protocol for effectiveness studies in frontline settings., 2011, BMC medical research methodology, (11), 3.http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-11-3Copyright: BioMed Centralhttp://www.biomedcentral.com

The Effect of Local Corticosteroid or Ketorolac Exposure on Histologic and Biomechanical Properties of Rabbit Tendon and Cartilage

Tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and the arthritides are clinical problems commonly encountered in daily orthopaedic practice. Systemic anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and local corticosteroid injections all are used as nonoperative treatments of these conditions. Systemic anti-inflammatory agents and local corticosteroid agents, however, can be associated with adverse effects that render them intolerable to some patients. As a preliminary study assessing the feasibility of local injection of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, the histological and biomechanical effects of local exposure of rabbit cartilage and tendon to injectable steroidal (corticosteroid) and injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (ketorolac tromethamine, KT) were determined. Thirty rabbits underwent bilateral knee joint, patellar tendon, and Achilles tendon injections with either normal saline, corticosteroid, or KT. Mechanical and histologic evaluation of the tissues was performed at 6 and 15 weeks after injection. Gross tendon adhesions were observed in more corticosteroid-treated specimens than those exposed to normal saline or KT. Microscopic evaluation of tendons revealed no significant differences among the three groups. Mild cartilage degenerative changes were noted across all groups. Evidence of cartilage necrosis was noted for the corticosteroid-treated group only. Tendons exposed to corticosteroid or KT demonstrated increased load and energy to failure, but exhibited no difference in material stiffness or strain. The use of an injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent may be safe and even pose less threat to local tissues after intra-articular and peri-tendinous administration