Clinical trials

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) provides better outcomes than radial ESWT for adults with plantar fasciitis. It will also learn about the safety and tolerability of both treatments. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does focused ESWT lead to greater improvement in heel pain than radial ESWT? 2. Does focused ESWT improve foot function more than radial ESWT? 3. Do participants experience less discomfort during focused ESWT compared with radial ESWT? 4. What medical problems or side effects occur with either treatment? Researchers will compare focused ESWT to radial ESWT to see whether one treatment offers better clinical outcomes or is better tolerated. Participants will: 1. Receive three shockwave treatment sessions (radial or focused), one week apart 2. Attend clinic follow-up assessments at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months 3. Complete questionnaires about heel pain and foot function Keep a diary of symptoms, daily pain levels, activity limitations, and any use of pain medication

AIMS: The primary aim is to investigate the impact of enhancing father/partner engagement in FICare of preterm infants on their mental health (MH) up to 6 weeks post discharge. Secondary aims are to investigate the impact on maternal MH. METHOD and ANALYSIS: This is a two-phase study: Phase-1 to gather baseline information and Phase-2 to assess the impact of improved father/partner engagement in FICare involving two NUs (a tertiary and level 2). 20 families of infants born at \<33 weeks will be studied in each phase (40 fathers, 40 mothers, 40 babies). Father/partner MH will be assessed using validated questionnaires: Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Parental Stressor Scale: NICU (PSS:NICU), and by semi-structured qualitative interviews. Similarly, mothers will be assessed by the same questionnaires and focus groups. The Neonatal DadPad materials will be updated using information from phase 1 study, systematic review of Fathers experiences of FICare and advice from parent advisory group. Father's engagement in FICare will be enhanced using Neonatal DadPad information booklet and app, father-specific peer support and bitesize teaching on caring for NU babies (Phase 2). Thematic analysis of the qualitative data will be performed. Phase 1 and Phase 2 study findings will be compared by performing appropriate statistical analysis.