Objectives To explore whether the psychologic variables anxiety, depression, and fear-avoidance beliefs, and interactions between these variables, are associated with physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized lower levels of function would be related to higher anxiety, higher depression, and higher fear-avoidance beliefs, and that high levels of 2 of these factors simultaneously might interact to have a greater adverse effect on physical function. Design Cross-sectional, correlational design. Setting Institutional practice. Participants Subjects included patients with knee OA (N=182; age, mean ± SD, 63.9±8.8y; 122 women). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Self-report measures of function included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index, the Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS), and the Knee Outcome Survey-Activity of Daily Living Scale. The Get Up and Go test was used as a physical performance measure of function. Self-report measures for psychologic variables included the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire-Physical Activity Scale modified for the knee. Results Higher anxiety was related to poorer function on the WOMAC physical function. Both high anxiety and fear avoidance beliefs were related to poorer function on the LEFS and Knee Outcome Survey-Activity of Daily Living Scale. There was no association between the psychologic variables and the Get Up and Go test. The anxiety X depression interaction was associated with the LEFS. Conclusions Anxiety and fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with self-report measures of function in patients with knee OA. Depression may influence scores on the LEFS under conditions of low anxiety.

Context:Currently, no consensus exists for grading the severity of concussions. Identification of risk factors that may affect concussion risk and the likelihood of prolonged recovery can be of value to providers who manage concussion.Evidence Acquisition:Relevant studies were identified through MEDLINE (1996-2011) using the keywords concussion, postconcussive syndrome, and risk or risk factor. Targeted searches for specific risk factors were conducted with additional keywords, such as gender and migraine. Manual review of reference lists was also performed to identify pertinent literature.Results:For risk factors of concussion, history of prior concussion and female sex have the most supporting evidence. Sports with consistently high risk for sustaining a concussion include football, men’s ice hockey, and women’s soccer. Younger athletes appear to be more susceptible to concussion, but data are limited and inconsistent. Protective equipment does not definitively alter concussion risk, though it protects against other injuries. Symptoms such as long headaches, migraines, amnesia, and multiple symptoms appear to be associated with prolonged recovery. Younger age may also increase the risk of prolonged concussion.Conclusion:High-quality evidence for risk modifiers in concussion remains sparse. Prior concussion, collision sports, female sex, and women’s soccer are the strongest known risk factors. Evidence for most other factors is inconclusive.

Objective. To examine whether pretreatment magnitude of quadriceps activation (QA) helps predict changes in quadriceps strength after exercise therapy in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized that subjects with lower magnitudes of QA (greater failure of muscle activation) would have smaller gains in strength compared with those with higher magnitudes of QA following exercise therapy. Methods. One hundred eleven subjects with knee OA (70 women) participated. Baseline measures included demographic information, quadriceps muscle strength, and QA using a burst-superimposition isometric torque test. Following baseline testing, subjects underwent a 6-week supervised exercise program designed to improve strength, range of motion, balance and agility, and physical function. On completion of the program, quadriceps strength and QA were reassessed. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine whether baseline QA predicted quadriceps strength scores at the 2-month followup. Results. Bivariate correlations demonstrated that baseline QA was significantly associated with quadriceps strength at baseline ( ‫؍‬ 0.30, P < 0.01) and 2-month followup ( ‫؍‬ 0.23, P ‫؍‬ 0.01). Greater magnitude of baseline QA correlated with higher strength. While controlling for baseline quadriceps strength and type of exercise therapy, the level of QA did not predict quadriceps strength at the 2-month followup (␤ ‫؍‬ ؊0.04, P ‫؍‬ 0.18). Conclusion. Baseline QA did not predict changes in quadriceps strength following exercise therapy. Measurement of QA using the central activation ratio method does not appear to be helpful in identifying subjects with knee OA who will have difficulty improving quadriceps strength with exercise therapy.

Experience using Fitwits improved residency-based physician comfort and competence in obesity prevention and treatment, portion size, BMI, and "obesity" discussions with preadolescents.