Editorial

Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal, Mar 2004 by Eason, Jane

This issue of the Journal contains a review by Alexander Scott entitled The Diaphragm in COPD-Evidence of Overuse Injury and Considerations for Treatment. In this review, Alex provides a discussion of the physiological response of the COPD diaphragm to loading and considerations for assessment and treatment of patients with COPD. Jane Luptak and Nancy Nuzzo are the authors of a pilot study examining the emotional benefits of dogs to humans and how these benefits may affect physiological measures such as blood pressure and heart rate in elderly women. The Research Corner written by Tanya LaPier presents an excellent overview of the components of a case report and then presents an annotated version of a case report with comments regarding how the annotated case report could have been improved. I hope that this Research Corner will motivate some of you to consider submitting a case report to the Journal.

This issue leaves my desk about 2 weeks before the Combined sections Meeting. The executive committee is planning a strategic planning meeting in February at CSM. The agenda for that meeting will include a reassessment of the quality and quantity of services we provide to members, as well as development of priorities for legislative and regulatory activism, practice, and research. Along these lines, Ellen Hillegass has written a "Legislative Update" that is contained in this issue regarding pertinent issues to keep all of us informed on legislative and practice issues that are specific to cardiovascular and pulmonary practice. If you have any thoughts regarding any aspect of the services that this section provides, please let Dianne and the Executive Committee know.

Jane Eason, PT, PhD

Editor