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It is recognized that objective gait analysis is of great value in planning a multilevel botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) treatment. After BTX-A treatment, objective outcome measures can provide new and interesting information for each individual child with cerebral palsy (CP). Moreover, by studying group results, we may evaluate our treatment hypotheses. The present prospective study attempts to document the effect of integrated multilevel BTX-A treatment 1 on objective gait parameters and to de®ne the optimal strategy for the combined treatment of BTX-A with casting in children with cerebral palsy. Objective three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) data were collected pre-and 2 months post-treatment, in two randomized patient groups: a ®rst group of 17 children treated with lower leg casting prior to BTX-A injections, and a second group of 17 patients who received casting immediately after injections. The present study demonstrates that improved gait can be achieved after a multilevel BTX-A treatment, combined with casting, using a set of 90 gait parameters. The most pronounced improvement was seen at the ankle joint. The results in the knee, hip and pelvis imply that multilevel treatment of the child with CP should start at an early age, in order to prevent development of muscle contractures. Slightly more pronounced bene®ts, mainly in the proximal joints, were seen for the children who were casted after injections as compared to the children who were casted before injections.

Objective. To study the long-term effects of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (03) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.Methods. Ninety patients were enrolled in a 12-month, double-blind, randomized study comparing daily supplementations with either 2.6 gm of 03, or 1.3 gm of 0 3 + 3 gm of olive oil, or 6 gm of olive oil.Results. Significant improvement in the patient's global evaluation and in the physician's assessment of pain was observed only in those taking 2.6 gdday of d. The proportions of patients who improved and of those who were able to reduce their concomitant antirheumatic medications were significantly greater with 2.6 gmlday of 03.Conclusion. Daily supplementation with 2.6 gm of 0 3 results in significant clinical benefit and may reduce the need for concomitant antirheumatic medication.

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