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study showed a good response to BoNT-A injection delivered in the management of chronic upper limb spasticity resulting from stroke or traumatic brain injury. It demonstrated its outcome in improving muscle tone, function and QoL. It also showed that the majority of patients achieved their goal as defined at the start of the treatment, mainly for patients who received previous injection of BoNT-A.Purpose of review Fungal infections cause significant mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiencies including AIDS, hematological malignancies, transplantation, and receipt of corticosteroids, biologics or small-molecule kinase inhibitors that impair key immune pathways. The contribution of several such pathways in antifungal immunity has been uncovered by inherited immunodeficiencies featuring profound fungal susceptibility. Furthermore, the risk of fungal infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiencies may be modulated by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune-related genes. This review outlines key features underlying human genetic fungal predisposition. Recent findings The discovery of monogenic disorders that cause fungal disease and the characterization of immune-related gene SNPs that may regulate fungal susceptibility have provided important insights into how genetic variation affects development and outcome of fungal infections in humans. Summary Recognition of individualized genetic fungal susceptibility traits in humans should help devise precision-medicine strategies for risk assessment, prognostication and treatment of patients with opportunistic fungal infections.Introduction Postlaparoscopic shoulder pain (PLSP) has been well documented to effect patients following an abdominal or thoracic laparoscopic surgery. PLSP is characterized by referred pain that can occur both unilaterally or bilaterally, and is typically caused by phrenic nerve irritation. Current literature has focused on pharmacological treatment; however, there is limited evidence for the use of nonpharmacological management of PLSP in the pediatric population. Case description This retrospective case report study explores the use of a single-session massage therapy treatment for a 17-year-old patient with PLSP following laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Intervention and results Therapy intervention included a 25 min Swedish massage involving the effected shoulder with an emphasis on passive touch to the shoulder and at the level of the diaphragm. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pre- and postintervention. Following therapy the patient reported 0/10 pain. Conclusion This case report provides evidence for the use of massage therapy treatment as a noninvasive, nonpharmacological approach to reducing or eliminating PLSP in a pediatric patient.Background Dystonia is a neurological disorder, characterized by involuntary muscle spasms and tremors, resulting in abnormal movements and posture. Symptoms include pain, spasms, tremors, and dyskinesia-a difficulty in performing voluntary muscular movements. Conventional treatments include medication, botulism injections, and surgical intervention. Many dystonia patients seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as massage, but these treatments are not well documented. This clinical case study documents massage treatment for dystonia for a specific individual. Purpose To examine the effects of massage therapy on pain, spasms, and dyskinesia in activities of daily living (ADL), in a patient diagnosed with dystonia as an adult, following trauma. Methods A student massage therapist administered 5 massage treatments over a six-week period to a 51-year-old female patient diagnosed with dystonia. The patient presented with symptoms of pain, spasms, tremors, and dyskinesia in ADL. Techniques applied included Swedish massage and hydrotherapy to decrease pain and spasms, and myofascial release and stretching, to decrease dyskinesia. Treatments aimed to increase overall relaxation. Remedial exercise was given to practice smoother movement patterns. Pre- and postnumeric rating scales (NRS) for pain were evaluated each session. Frequency of night pain and spasms, the Modified Bradykinesia Rating Scale (MBRS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the Functional Rating Index (FRI) and the Modified Gait Efficacy Scale (MGES) were measured at the start and end of the study. Results Posttreatment pain intensity generally remained the same or decreased. Positive outcomes were exhibited in the frequency of night pain and spasms, TUG, MBRS, and FRI test scores. The MGES score was negatively affected. Conclusion The results suggest massage therapy may temporarily decrease pain intensity, pain and spasm frequency, and dyskinesia in ADL, associated with dystonia.Background & purpose There is a high incidence of chronic recurrent functional abdominal pain in children causing significant disruption to schooling, quality of life, and costs to the health care system. Treatment routinely includes behavioral, pharmacological, and invasive surgical interventions, with varying levels of impact. This study aims to examine the response of symptoms of functional gastro-intestinal disorders (FGID) in children to treatment of psoas muscle tension and tenderness using remedial massage therapy. Setting & participants Pediatric surgeon’s rooms, remedial massage therapist rooms, consenting children aged 2-18. Research design Two years of clinical observations were analyzed including patient-reported symptoms, surgeon and remedial massage therapist observations, with 122 children suffering from moderate to severe FGID symptoms. Over the two year observation period, 96 children with FGID symptoms completed a course of remedial massage therapy to their psoas muscles. Results Improvement in psoas tension and tenderness on palpation was observed for all participants after an average of 5 treatments (range 2-12). Complete resolution of all symptoms of abdominal pain, reflux, vomiting, nausea, and bowel upset was seen in 88/96 (92%) participants at the time of treatment completion without side effects. Over the observation period, 72 children were followed up after completing remedial massage therapy; 75% reported they remained symptom free, 18% continued to have marked improvement and 7% mild improvement. Coleonol clinical trial Conclusion Despite study design limitations, more research is warranted on the potential for this low-cost, noninvasive therapeutic intervention to assist symptom management for children with FGID.