2022, Article / Letter to editor (Clinical Rehabilitation, vol. 36, iss. 3, (2022), pp. 415-428)OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experience of clients and clinicians in working with a tool to help set goals that are personally meaningful to rehabilitation clients. DESIGN: We have applied the tool in the outpatient rehabilitation setting. Clients' and clinicians' experiences in working with the tool were evaluated in individual, semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews, respectively. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. SETTING: A university medical center and a rehabilitation center. SUBJECTS: Clients with a first-time stroke (nn=n8) or multiple sclerosis (nn=n10), and clinicians (nn=n38). INTERVENTION: The tool to help set meaningful goals consisted of a session (i) to explore the client's fundamental beliefs, goals and attitudes and (ii) to identify a meaningful overall rehabilitation goal. The results of that session were used by the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team (iii) to help the client to set specific rehabilitation goals that served to achieve the meaningful overall rehabilitation goal. RESULTS: Both clients and clinicians reported that the tool helped to set a meaningful overall rehabilitation goal and specific goals that became meaningful as they served to achieve the overall goal. This contributed to clients' intrinsic rehabilitation motivation. In some clients, the meaningfulness of the rehabilitation goals facilitated the process of behavior change. Both clients and clinicians made suggestions on how the tool could be further improved. CONCLUSION: In the opinion of both clients and clinicians, the tool does indeed result in goal setting that is personally meaningful. Further development, implementation and evaluation of the tool is warranted.
2022, Article / Letter to editor (Gerodontology, (2022))Objective To assess the occurrence and associations of verbal and non-verbal care-resistant behaviour (CRB) during oral examination by a dental hygienist in nursing home residents with dementia. Background CRB is a barrier to providing professional oral care and daily oral hygiene care. Understanding the predictors of CRB might help care professionals in learning to anticipate this behaviour. Methods In this multicentre cross-sectional study signs of verbal and non-verbal CRB were reported during the oral examination. Data collection occurred in the psychogeriatrics wards of 14 different nursing homes in the Netherlands (N = 367). Results A total of 367 residents were included. CRB was evident in 82 residents (22.3%), of whom 45 (55%) showed verbal and 37 (45%) non-verbal CRB. Associated with CRB were age >85 years, duration of residential stay longer than 2 years, and having Korsakov dementia. Other factors associated with CRB were duration of residential stay (categories ">2 and <= 4 years" or ">4 years") and having a natural dentition (P = .043-.005, OR = 1.20-1.33, 95% CI = 1.00-8.48). Significant associations for verbal and non-verbal CRB were age between 76 and 85 years, vascular dementia and Korsakov dementia (P = .031-.006, OR = .020-1.49, 95% CI = 0.43-2.15). Conclusion The occurrence of CRB was 22.3% and was associated with older age and longer duration of residential stay, Vascular and Korsakov dementia and natural dentition.
2022, Article / Letter to editor (Rheumatology, vol. 61, iss. 4, (2022), pp. 1476-1486)OBJECTIVE: SSc is a complex CTD affecting mental and physical health. Fatigue, hand function loss, and RP are the most prevalent disease-specific symptoms of systemic sclerosis. This study aimed to develop consensus and evidence-based recommendations for non-pharmacological treatment of these symptoms. METHODS: A multidisciplinary task force was installed comprising 20 Dutch experts. After agreeing on the method for formulating the recommendations, clinically relevant questions about patient education and treatments were inventoried. During a face-to-face task force meeting, draft recommendations were generated through a systematically structured discussion, following the nominal group technique. To support the recommendations, an extensive literature search was conducted in MEDLINE and six other databases until September 2020, and 20nkey systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and published recommendations were selected. Moreover, 13 Dutch medical specialists were consulted on non-pharmacological advice regarding RP and digital ulcers. For each recommendation, the level of evidence and the level of agreement was determined. RESULTS: Forty-one evidence and consensus-based recommendations were developed, and 34, concerning treatments and patient education of fatigue, hand function loss, and RP/digital ulcers-related problems, were approved by the task force. CONCLUSIONS: These 34 recommendations provide guidance on non-pharmacological treatment of three of the most frequently described symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis. The proposed recommendations can guide referrals to health professionals, inform the content of non-pharmacological interventions, and can be used in the development of national and international postgraduate educational offerings.
2022, Article / Letter to editor (Child: Care, Health and Development, (2022))BACKGROUND: The Uganda version of Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-UG) was culturally adapted and validated from the PEDI-US, a tool used to evaluate the functional capability of children with or without disability aged 6 months to 7.5 years in the areas of self-care, mobility and social domains. A group of Ugandan occupational therapists with experience of using PEDI-UG participated in this study to explore the question: What do Ugandan occupational therapists say about the utility and value of the PEDI-UG for children with disabilities? METHODS: A qualitative research design was chosen to explore the participants' viewpoints concerning the utility and value of the PEDI-UG for children with disabilities. Purposive sampling was used to recruit health professionals for the focus group discussions. Focus group discussions were carried out with 18 occupational therapists and nurses. Thematic analysis was performed to establish patterns and themes. RESULTS: Several challenges concerning the contextual use of PEDI-UG were reported. For example, PEDI-UG being culturally adapted in two languages (English and Luganda) makes it difficult for health professionals to use it for children whose caregivers are non-English or non-Luganda speakers. In addition, participants reported adapting the way they asked the assessment questions, struggling with how they interpreted the scores and observing the child's skills if required during PEDI-UG interviews with caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that health professionals are challenged with the use of the PEDI-UG assessment in diverse cultural contexts and/or languages. These challenges are important considerations for the PEDI-UG translation in different Uganda cultural languages and training health professionals on the use and value of PEDI-UG for children with disabilities.
2021, Article / Letter to editor (Journal of Physiotherapy, vol. 67, iss. 2, (2021), pp. 115-123)Question: What are the views of patients, close relatives and healthcare professionals on physical activity behaviour in hospital care? Methods: A meta-ethnographic synthesis of qualitative studies was conducted with a lines-of-argument analysis. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. The lines of argument were synthesised and mapped in an existing theoretical model. The confidence of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) approach. Results: Eleven studies were included and provided data from 290 participants (145 patients, 0 close relatives and 145 healthcare professionals). We have synthesised six lines of argument that explained the (intention of) physical activity behaviour of patients during their hospital stay: patients and healthcare professionals perceive benefits and risks of physical activity for patients' health (high confidence); physical activity gives a sense of freedom, confidence in recovery and mental wellbeing (high confidence); all healthcare professionals should offer timely and tailored physical activity promotion (high confidence); patient motivation to be physically active may be contingent upon encouragement (moderate confidence); family members can influence physical activity behaviour favourably or unfavourably (low confidence); and hospital culture has a negative influence on physical activity behaviour of patients (high confidence). Conclusions: Physical activity behaviour of patients during their hospital stay is a complex phenomenon with multiple interactions at the level of patients, healthcare professionals and hospital culture. Considering the results of this synthesis, multifaceted implementation strategies are needed to improve physical activity intention and behaviour of patients during their hospital stay. (C) 2021 Australian Physiotherapy Association. Published by Elsevier B.V.
2021, Article / Letter to editor (BMJ Open, vol. 11, iss. 8, (2021))Objective To obtain insight into experiences of patients with a neuromuscular disease and chronic fatigue and their healthcare professionals regarding content and delivery of a multidisciplinary outpatient self-management group programme to improve social participation. This will inform future implementation. Design A mixed method study alongside a randomised controlled trial. Setting University hospital, rehabilitation centre and community health centre. Participants 29 patients with a neuromuscular disease and chronic fatigue and 13 healthcare professionals participated in this mixed methods study. Intervention Multidisciplinary group programme, called Energetic, consisted of a 4 months intervention with weekly meetings and covered four modules: (1) individually tailored aerobic exercise training; (2) education about aerobic exercise; (3) self-management training in applying energy conservation strategies and (4) implementation and relapse prevention in daily life. Main measures Quantitative data were collected by a questionnaire measuring patients' (n=25, all completed the programme) satisfaction with the perceived results, content and delivery of the programme. Qualitative data were collected by individual and focus group interviews to gain insight in the experiences of patients (n=18), next of kin (n=2) and healthcare professionals (n=13) with facilitators and barriers to programme implementation. Results Patients were satisfied with the number and length of the sessions, the different modules and the therapists. Analysis of the interviews led to five themes: (1) the combination of modules makes a complete picture, (2) the programme is physically and mentally intensive, (3) the group setting is valuable, (4) small variations in delivery occur in different settings, (5) therapists are coaches. Suggestions for programme improvement include a combination of face to face and e-health, enhancement of therapists' skills in guiding group interventions and inclusion of more booster sessions to evaluate and maintain self-management competencies. Conclusions The Energetic programme could be implemented in different healthcare settings and group settings, and a combination of modules proved to be a facilitator for improving self-management.
2021, Article / Letter to editor (Disability and Rehabilitation, (2021))Purpose This study focuses on the functional and psychosocial consequences of facial weakness of patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and how they manage their daily lives. Materials and methods We conducted a qualitative study. Sixteen FSHD patients with varying degrees of facial weakness were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison approach based on the Straussian Grounded Theory. Results Reduced facial expression affected different aspects of a participant's life, which is reinforced by fatigue. Particularly the younger participants described the confrontation with reduced facial expression as upsetting. The unpredictability of the progression of facial weakness makes many participants insecure and concerned. They generally tend to avoid discussing facial weakness with loved ones as well as with strangers. Conclusions Patients would like the expert teams to shed more light on effective skill training and psychosocial support, especially for the younger patient group. A multidisciplinary approach is needed in addition to programs focusing on the individual aspects of facial weakness. As the experienced psychosocial effect is not commonly equal to the objective degree of facial weakness, we recommend a tailored approach. Finally, these programs should point out the importance of the patient's own ingenuity.
2021, Article / Letter to editor (Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, (2021))Background Chronic pain (CP) affects a large part of the population worldwide, decreasing physical and mental health and causing a shift in occupational roles. This has created a need for a better understanding to address this problem. Objectives To explore possible changes in occupational roles and the participation levels within among people diagnosed with CP over time. Material and methods The study used a qualitative, narrative methodology. Five people with CP were included in the study. They participated in a single-life story interview coupled with timeline drawings. Data analysis was conducted using a narrative analysis. Results The results revealed that occupational roles and the participation therein changed over time. Employee was considered the most important role, whereby the participants tried to maintain this role by sacrificing other roles within their lives. Moreover, CMP forced a change in their occupational identity. Conclusion CP can disrupt a person's life and demand a change in occupational roles and the participation levels within. This process was accompanied by possible changes in their occupational identity.
2020, Article / Letter to editor (Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 42, iss. 11, (2020), pp. 1561-1568)Purpose: To develop and evaluate an interdisciplinary group intervention for patients with myotonic dystrophy regarding healthy nutrition, meal preparation, and consumption, called Meet and Eat. Materials and methods: A design-based approach was used, exploring experiences and needs of patients with myotonic dystrophy and their next of kin. This resulted in a 4-week interdisciplinary outpatient group intervention to increase awareness and change behavior. In a mixed-method feasibility study this intervention was evaluated with participants and facilitators. Results: Participants reported on social impact of difficulties with eating and drinking (speaking, swallowing, and social embarrassment) and a variety of complaints affecting meal preparation and consumption. Patients and family members expressed the wish to learn from others. After delivery of the intervention, self-reported outcome measures demonstrated improvement on eating and drinking issues in daily life. The qualitative evaluation showed increased awareness and appreciation of the following design principles: peer support, multidisciplinary approach, active involvement of patient with myotonic dystrophy and their next of kin by using personal goals and motivational interviewing. Conclusion: Participation in Meet and Eat seemed to increase insight in patients' condition and ways of management. However, a longer self-management life style program is recommended to change behavior.
2020, Article / Letter to editor (Disability and Rehabilitation, (2020))Purpose:Chronic spasticity poses a major burden on patients after stroke. Intramuscular botulinum toxin injections constitute an important part of the treatment for patients suffering from troublesome focal spasticity. This study explores the experienced consequences of chronic spasticity amongst patients after stroke regarding physical impairments and activities, the experienced effects of botulinum toxin treatment on these domains, and whether current spasticity management addresses patients' needs. Materials and methods:Fourteen participants with chronic spasticity after stroke who were treated with cyclical botulinum toxin injections in the upper and/or lower extremity muscles were interviewed. Inductive thematic analysis generated representative themes. Results:Analyses of the interviews revealed three themes: (1) spasticity-related impairments and activity limitations; (2) fluctuations in spasticity related to botulinum toxin; (3) need for professional support and feedback. Besides motor impairments, participants experienced activity limitations in many domains of everyday life, with considerable day-to-day fluctuations. Moreover, treatment with botulinum toxin led to cyclical fluctuations in spasticity-related symptoms, which differed across participants. The participants called for shared responsibility for treatment, particularly regarding optimising the timing of injections. Conclusion:Incorporating patient-relevant outcomes into the current assessment of spasticity and monitoring these outcomes may improve spasticity management, particularly regarding the timing of botulinum toxin injections.
2020, Article / Letter to editor (BMC Neurology, vol. 16, (2020))Background: A description of the complexity of the process of self-management and the way stroke survivors give meaning to their process of self-management post-stroke is lacking. This study explores how stroke survivors managed their lives, gave meaning to their self-management post-stroke and how this evolved over time. Methods: Data was generated through participant observations and interviews of 10 stroke survivors at their homes at 3, 6, 9, 15 and 21 months post-discharge. A constant comparative method was chosen to analyse the data. Results: 'Situated doing' was central in stroke survivors' simultaneous development of self-management and their sense of being in charge of everyday life post-stroke. Doing everyday activities provided the stroke survivors with an arena to explore, experience, evaluate, develop and adapt self-management and being in charge of everyday activities and daily life. The influence of stroke survivors' partners on this development was sometimes experienced as empowering and at other times as constraining. Over time, the meaning of self-management and being in charge changed from the opinion that self-management was doing everything yourself towards self-managing and being in charge, if necessary, with the help of others. Moreover, the sense of self-management and being in charge differed among participants: it ranged from managing only at the level of everyday activities to full role management and experiencing a meaningful and valuable life post-stroke. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate the doing of activities as an important arena in which to develop self-management and being in charge post-stroke. Stroke self-management programs could best be delivered in stroke survivors' own environment and focus on not only stroke survivors but also their relatives. Furthermore, the focus of such interventions should be on not only the level of activities but also the existential level of self-management post-stroke.
2019, Article / Letter to editor (Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 41, iss. 12, (2019), pp. 1427-1434)Purpose: There is lack of knowledge, evidence, and guidelines for rehabilitation interventions for persons with neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) or brachial plexus pathology. A first pilot study, evaluating the effect of an integrated rehabilitation programme, showed improvements in activity and participation levels. Aim: To gain insight, from the perspective of patients and therapists, into the critical ingredients of the programme, that contributed to improvements in activity and participation. Materials and methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with eight patients and five therapists (three occupational therapists and two physical therapists). Participants were asked to identify and describe factors regarding the rehabilitation that they perceived as positive and aspects of the programme that could be improved. Data were analysed using a constant comparative approach. Results: Patients reported (1) Time to diagnose: "Finally I'm in the right place;" (2) Awareness: "They gave me a mirror;" (3) Partnership: "There was real contact with the therapists; we made decisions together;" (4) Close collaboration: "Overlapping scopes of practice; doing the same from a different perspective;" and finally (5) Self-management: "Now I can do it myself." Therapists reported (1) "Patients knowledge and understanding is critical to success;" (2) "Activate problem solving and decision making;" (3) "Personalize your therapy; it's more than just giving exercises and information;" (4) "Constant consultation within the team; consistency in messages and approach;" and (5)" Ultimately the patient is in charge." Conclusions: The critical ingredients, correspond well with each other and include a person-centred approach, education, support in problem solving and decision making and an integrated team approach. These ingredients provided the patients with confidence to take responsibility to manage their everyday lives, the ultimate goal of the programme.
2019, Article / Letter to editor (Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 41, iss. 16, (2019), pp. 1898-1905)Objective: The impact of difficulties with eating and drinking in adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy is unknown. The purpose of this study is to find out which difficulties adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy experience with eating and drinking in daily life and how they deal with these difficulties. The study also explores how they think about themselves with respect to eating and what does or does not help regarding social participation. Method: We collected the data from ten participants with spastic cerebral palsy (aged 15-23 years) living in the Netherlands. We used a qualitative study design with a conventional content analysis. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to identify meaningful factors related to eating and drinking difficulties. We coded relevant phrases from each interview and clustered and synthesized them into categories. Result: We derived four categories from the transcripts: (I) perceived eating and drinking difficulties (e.g., not managing to eat all food textures and/or choking); (II) challenges in physical and social context (e.g., accessibility of restaurants, menu supply, and/or needing assistance or not); (III) dealing with eating and drinking difficulties (e.g., adaptation, food avoidance, and/or giving up); (IV) Negative feelings about their eating and drinking (e.g., shame, frustration, fear for choking, and/or concerns about the future). One striking finding was that most participants had not recently received either monitoring or intervention for their feeding skills. Conclusion: This study shows that adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy experience many restrictions in eating and drinking situations leading to negative feelings and lower participation levels, while little attention is directed towards these difficulties. Regular multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs should include evaluation, advice, and intervention regarding eating and drinking ability in order to increase social participation and self-management.
2018, Article / Letter to editor (Neuromuscular Disorders, vol. 28, iss. 11, (2018), pp. 938-946)Overweight and obesity are common in patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Lifestyle change is often challenging for patients with neuromuscular diseases, especially to increase physical activity. When lifestyle changes have not been effective, bariatric surgery is a treatment option. However, very little is known about the benefits and risks in patients with neuromuscular disorders. This study therefore aims to obtain insight into the patients' perspectives and experiences, the outcome, effects and risks of bariatric surgery in these disorders. We performed a qualitative study, consisting of 14 in-depth interviews with six patients (three FSHD and three DM1; five women, one man; aged range 31-47 years), four relatives, three bariatric surgeons and one general practitioner. The study used a qualitative descriptive method. Four themes were formulated: (1) overweight as burden; (2) bariatric surgery as last option; (3) not your standard patient; and (4) a different life, a different me. This study shows that bariatric surgery has beneficial physical and mental effects for most patients with FSHD and DM1, and does not influence the muscular disease course. Bariatric surgery is feasible in patients with FSHD and DM1, but specific precautions and a suitable follow-up including tailored dietary and training advices are required. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
2018, Article / Letter to editor (Health & Social Care in the Community, vol. 26, iss. 4, (2018), pp. 474-485)In Dutch policy and at the societal level, informal caregivers are ideally seen as essential team members when creating, together with professionals, co-ordinated support plans for the persons for whom they care. However, collaboration between professionals and informal caregivers is not always effective. This can be explained by the observation that caregivers and professionals have diverse backgrounds and frames of reference regarding providing care. This thematic synthesis sought to examine and understand how professionals experience collaboration with informal caregivers to strengthen the care triad. PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane/Central and CINAHL were searched systematically until May 2015, using specific key words and inclusion criteria. Twenty-two articles were used for thematic synthesis. Seven themes revealed different reflections by professionals illustrating the complex, multi-faceted and dynamic interface of professionals and informal care. Working in collaboration with informal caregivers requires professionals to adopt a different way of functioning. Specific attention should be paid to the informal caregiver, where the focus now is mainly on the client for whom they care. This is difficult to attain due to different restrictions experienced by professionals on policy and individual levels. Specific guidelines and training for the professionals are necessary in the light of the current policy changes in the Netherlands, where an increased emphasis is placed on informal care structures.
2017, Part of book or chapter of book (Spaans, J; van der Horst, H.; Visser, S. (ed.), Handboek behandeling van somatisch onvoldoende verklaarde lichamelijke klachten)
2016, Book (monograph) De doelstelling van het promotieonderzoek is om meer inzicht te krijgen in zelf- management na een beroerte. Hiervoor hebben wij onderzoek gedaan naar de ervaringen en meningen van diverse betrokkenen in de CVA-revalidatie, namelijk de CVA-getroffenen, de partners en professionals. In totaal zijn zes verschillende deelstudies uitgevoerd. In Nederland krijgen ieder jaar ongeveer 45.000 mensen een beroerte, ook wel CVA (Cerebro Vasculair Accident) genoemd. Veel mensen herstellen goed of hebben relatief weinig restverschijnselen. Sommige CVA-getroffenen ondervinden echter permanente beperkingen in dagelijkse activiteiten door sensomotorische, cognitieve en/of emotionele problemen. Daardoor kunnen zij vaak minder participeren in de maatschappij. Voor deze groep heeft een beroerte meestal ook gevolgen voor de partner of andere naasten. Zij krijgen vaak een aanvullende rol als mantelzorger, en deze nieuwe situatie leidt regelmatig tot emotionele en fysieke overbelasting. Zelfmanagement wordt gezien als een belangrijk concept in de CVA-revalidatie om CVA-getroffenen en hun directe naasten te ondersteunen in een betere zorg voor zichzelf en een betekenisvol leven na de beroerte. Hoe CVAgetroffenen, de partners, en professionals in de CVA-revalidatie in Nederland aankijken tegen zelfmanagement na een beroerte is echter nauwelijks bekend. In de literatuur zijn veel verschillende definities te vinden van zelfmanagement. Voor het proefschrift wordt de volgende definitie gebruikt: ‘zelfmanagement is de individuele mogelijkheid om, eventueel in samenwerking met familie, naasten en professionals, de symptomen, behandeling, fysieke, psychosociale, culturele en spirituele consequenties en bijbehorende aanpassingen in leefstijl te managen om te kunnen leven met een chronische aandoening’. Zelfmanagement wordt onderverdeeld in medisch management, rol-management en emotioneel management. Medisch management richt zich op het kunnen managen van de medische aspecten van een chronische ziekte, zoals medicijngebruik, het nemen van rust en gezonde voeding; sociaal of rol-management is het kunnen managen van de gevolgen van een (chronische) ziekte voor het dagelijks leven en richt zich op de betekenisgeving aan het leven en de diverse rollen; emotioneel management richt zich op het kunnen managen van de emotionele gevolgen en veranderingen als gevolg van een (chronische) ziekte zoals bijvoorbeeld onzekerheid en angst. Ondanks dat zelfmanagement principes in verschillende programma’s voor CVAgetroffenen worden toegepast, zijn de meningen en ervaringen van de CVA-getroffenen zélf en hun partners over zelfmanagement na een beroerte nauwelijks beschreven. Ook is weinig bekend over de mening van professionals in de CVA-revalidatie over zelfmanagement. Willen we effectieve zelfmanagement programma’s voor mensen met een beroerte ontwikkelen en implementeren, dan is het van belang en logisch om de opvattingen van CVAgetroffenen, hun partners en professionals in de CVA-revalidatie hierover te onderzoeken. De belangrijkste doelstelling van het proefschrift was daarom om inzicht te krijgen in het zelfmanagement van mensen na een beroerte: wat houdt CVA-getroffenen en hun partners bezig? Wat zijn hun ervaringen ten aanzien van zelfmanagement na een beroerte? Wat zijn hun wensen en behoeften? En hoe managen CVA-getroffenen en hun partners zichzelf na ontslag naar huis? Daarnaast wilden we ook weten hoe de verschillende professionals in de CVA-revalidatie aankijken tegen het concept zelfmanagement en op
2016, Article / Letter to editor (Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 38, iss. 24-26, (2016), pp. 2354-2364)Purpose: To manage social roles is a challenging part of self-management post-stroke. This study explored how stroke survivors act as role managers with their spouses in the context of everyday activities. Method: Two stroke survivors with a first time stroke living at home with a spouse were included. Data were generated through participant observations at their own environment at 3, 6, 9, 15 and 21 months post-discharge. The narrative analysis focused on the actions of participants. Results: Daily activities can be understood as an arena where role management and a meaningful live is negotiated and co-constructed with others. Everyday activities gave stroke survivors and their spouses insight into stroke survivors' capacities in daily situations. This was sometimes empowering, and other times conflicting when a spouse had negative perceptions of the abilities of the stroke survivors. Conclusion: The findings add to the current understanding of self-management and role management with regard to how these are situated in everyday activities. Daily activities can help both spouses to reflect and understand about self-management, role management and comanagement in daily life. Moreover, observing stroke survivors in everyday situations provides professionals with concrete pictures of stroke survivors' performance and self-management in interaction with their spouses.
2016, Dissertation De doelstelling van het promotieonderzoek is om meer inzicht te krijgen in zelf- management na een beroerte. Hiervoor hebben wij onderzoek gedaan naar de ervaringen en meningen van diverse betrokkenen in de CVA-revalidatie, namelijk de CVA-getroffenen, de partners en professionals. In totaal zijn zes verschillende deelstudies uitgevoerd. In Nederland krijgen ieder jaar ongeveer 45.000 mensen een beroerte, ook wel CVA (Cerebro Vasculair Accident) genoemd. Veel mensen herstellen goed of hebben relatief weinig restverschijnselen. Sommige CVA-getroffenen ondervinden echter permanente beperkingen in dagelijkse activiteiten door sensomotorische, cognitieve en/of emotionele problemen. Daardoor kunnen zij vaak minder participeren in de maatschappij. Voor deze groep heeft een beroerte meestal ook gevolgen voor de partner of andere naasten. Zij krijgen vaak een aanvullende rol als mantelzorger, en deze nieuwe situatie leidt regelmatig tot emotionele en fysieke overbelasting. Zelfmanagement wordt gezien als een belangrijk concept in de CVA-revalidatie om CVA-getroffenen en hun directe naasten te ondersteunen in een betere zorg voor zichzelf en een betekenisvol leven na de beroerte. Hoe CVAgetroffenen, de partners, en professionals in de CVA-revalidatie in Nederland aankijken tegen zelfmanagement na een beroerte is echter nauwelijks bekend. In de literatuur zijn veel verschillende definities te vinden van zelfmanagement. Voor het proefschrift wordt de volgende definitie gebruikt: ‘zelfmanagement is de individuele mogelijkheid om, eventueel in samenwerking met familie, naasten en professionals, de symptomen, behandeling, fysieke, psychosociale, culturele en spirituele consequenties en bijbehorende aanpassingen in leefstijl te managen om te kunnen leven met een chronische aandoening’. Zelfmanagement wordt onderverdeeld in medisch management, rol-management en emotioneel management. Medisch management richt zich op het kunnen managen van de medische aspecten van een chronische ziekte, zoals medicijngebruik, het nemen van rust en gezonde voeding; sociaal of rol-management is het kunnen managen van de gevolgen van een (chronische) ziekte voor het dagelijks leven en richt zich op de betekenisgeving aan het leven en de diverse rollen; emotioneel management richt zich op het kunnen managen van de emotionele gevolgen en veranderingen als gevolg van een (chronische) ziekte zoals bijvoorbeeld onzekerheid en angst. Ondanks dat zelfmanagement principes in verschillende programma’s voor CVAgetroffenen worden toegepast, zijn de meningen en ervaringen van de CVA-getroffenen zélf en hun partners over zelfmanagement na een beroerte nauwelijks beschreven. Ook is weinig bekend over de mening van professionals in de CVA-revalidatie over zelfmanagement. Willen we effectieve zelfmanagement programma’s voor mensen met een beroerte ontwikkelen en implementeren, dan is het van belang en logisch om de opvattingen van CVAgetroffenen, hun partners en professionals in de CVA-revalidatie hierover te onderzoeken. De belangrijkste doelstelling van het proefschrift was daarom om inzicht te krijgen in het zelfmanagement van mensen na een beroerte: wat houdt CVA-getroffenen en hun partners bezig? Wat zijn hun ervaringen ten aanzien van zelfmanagement na een beroerte? Wat zijn hun wensen en behoeften? En hoe managen CVA-getroffenen en hun partners zichzelf na ontslag naar huis? Daarnaast wilden we ook weten hoe de verschillende professionals in de CVA-revalidatie aankijken tegen het concept zelfmanagement en op
2015, Article / Letter to editor (Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, vol. 35, iss. 2, (2015), pp. 132-146)The Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ'07) is a Canadian-English instrument recommended for screening children aged 5 to 15 years who are at risk for developmental coordination disorder. While a Canadian-French version of the DCDQ'07 presently exists, a European-French version does not. Aims. To produce a cross-cultural adaptation of the DCDQ'07 for use in areas of Europe where French is spoken and to test its cultural relevance in French-speaking Switzerland. Methods. Cross-cultural adaptation was done using established guidelines. Cultural relevance was analyzed with cognitive interviews of thirteen parents of children aged 5.0 to 14.6 years (mean age: 8.5 years, SD = 3.4), using think-aloud and probing techniques. Results. Cultural and linguistic differences were noted between the European-French, the Canadian-French, and the original versions of the DCDQ'07. Despite correct translation and expert committee review, cognitive interviews revealed that certain items of the European-French version were unclear or misinterpreted and further modifications were needed. Conclusions. After rewording items as a result of the outcomes of the cognitive interview, the European-French version of the DCDQ'07 is culturally appropriate for use in French-speaking Switzerland. Further studies are necessary to determine its psychometric properties.
2015, Article / Letter to editor (Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 37, iss. 18-19, (2015), pp. 1745-1752)Purpose: Self-management has become an important concept in stroke rehabilitation. This study explored allied healthcare professionals' (AHPs) perceptions and beliefs regarding the self-management of stroke survivors and their knowledge and skills regarding stroke self-management interventions. Method: Four focus group interviews were conducted with 27 professionals. Verbal questions and mind mapping were used to collect data. A constant comparative framework was used for analysis. Results: The AHPs discussed different levels of post-stroke self-management, depending on factors such as pre-stroke skills, recovery-phases post-stroke and cognitive abilities of the stroke patients. They hesitated about stroke clients' capacities to self-manage. AHPs questioned whether their own attitudes and skills were really supportive for stroke clients' self-management and criticised stroke services as being too medically oriented. They recommended that self-management programmes should focus both on clients and caregivers and be delivered at peoples' homes. Conclusion: Professional perceptions and beliefs are important factors to take into account when implementing stroke self-management programmes. Before professionals can enable stroke survivors to self-manage, they first need support in acquiring knowledge and skills regarding post-stroke self-management. Moreover, professionals could benefit from behavioural change models, and professionals recognised that stroke self-management interventions would be most beneficial when delivered post-discharge at people's homes.
2015, Article / Letter to editor (Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 37, iss. 3, (2015), pp. 223-230)Purpose: Self-management has become an important concept in stroke rehabilitation; however, the way that people post-stroke reflect on the concept of self-management has not yet been studied. This qualitative study explored the reflections of persons post-stroke on self-management, readiness and needs in self-management support. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted with 16 community living stroke survivors (53-84 years of age). Both verbal questions and photo elicitations were used to collect data. A constant comparative framework was used for the analysis. Result: Participants described their self-management as a complex, long-term, personal learning process. Post-discharge, participants were not ready to self-manage. Aside from individual self-management, participants also mentioned co-management with relatives. Relatives could provide support, but they also limited the development of participants' self-management skills. Participants missed having professional support post-discharge and would have appreciated additional psychological and emotional support in their process of self-management. Conclusion: Self-management post-stroke is complex. Stroke self-management programmes may be optimised when integrating role and emotional management in addition to medical management. Although readiness to self-manage differs among individuals, support should start as soon as possible and continue post-discharge in people's personal environments. Self-management programmes should not only focus on self-management of stroke survivors but also on co-management with relatives.
2014, Article / Letter to editor (Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, vol. 24, iss. 1, (2014), pp. 52-67)Introduction A qualitative study was carried out to understand how people with a slow progressive adult type neuromuscular disease (NMD) perceive employment participation. Methods 16 paid employed persons with NMD were interviewed in open, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Results Four themes were identified in the analyses: (1) Experiences regarding the meaning of work; (2) Solving problems oneself; (3) Reaching a turning point; and (4) Taking into account environmental aspects. Persons with NMD highlighted benefits of staying at work as well as the tension they felt how to shape decisions to handle progressive physical hindrances in job retention. This study shows how participants at work with NMD were challenged to keep up appearances at work and at home, the tension felt around when and if to disclose, the effect of their condition on colleagues and work reorganization challenges. Participants experienced that disclosure did not always make things better. With increasing disability participants’ focus shifted from the importance of assistive products towards considerate colleague, in particular superior’s willingness in supporting job retention.
2013, Article / Letter to editor (Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 94, iss. 6, (2013), pp. 1171-1183)Objective: To synthesize patients' views on the impact of stroke on their roles and self. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane searched from inception to September 2010, using a combination of relevant Medical Subject Headings and free-text terms. This search was supplemented by reference tracking. Study Selection: Qualitative studies reporting the views of people poststroke. The search yielded 494 records. Opinion articles, quantitative studies, or those reporting somatic functioning were excluded. Thirty-three studies were included. Data Extraction: Data extraction involved identifying all text presented as "results" or "findings" in the included studies, and importing this into software for the analysis of qualitative data. Data Synthesis: The abstracted text was coded and then subject to a thematic analysis and synthesis, which was discussed and agreed by the research team. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) managing discontinuity is a struggle; (2) regaining roles: to continue or adapt? and (3) context influences management of roles and self. Regaining valued roles and self was an ongoing struggle, and discontinuity and uncertainty were central to the adjustment process after stroke. Conclusions: The thematic synthesis provides new insights into the poststroke experience. Regaining or developing a new self and roles was problematic. Interventions targeted at self-management should be focused on the recognition of this problem and included in rehabilitation, to facilitate adjustment and continuity as far as possible in life poststroke. (C) 2013 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
2012, Article / Letter to editor (Wetenschappelijk Tijdschrift voor Ergotherapie, vol. 5, iss. 4, (2012), pp. 53-58)De herziene ergotherapierichtlijn CVA (Cerebraal Vasculair Accident) is volop in ontwikkeling en wordt in maart 2013 gepresenteerd. De herziene richtlijn is vanzelfsprekend nóg meer evidence-based, cliëntgecentreerd, op het handelen gericht en in de context gesitueerd. Deze column heeft een informatief karakter en geeft een voorproefje van de vernieuwingen die in de herziene ergotherapierichtlijn CVA worden opgenomen. Deze herzieningen sluiten aan bij de Zorgstandaard CVA/TIA die in november 2012 gepresenteerd is aan het werkveld (1). In de zorgstandaard wordt beschreven wat zorgverleners, cliënten en familie mogen verwachten van de zorg aan CVA-cliënten in alle fases van zorg na het CVA en dit is gebaseerd op de wensen en verwachtingen van cliënten en hun naasten. Ontwikkelingen waar de ergotherapierichtlijn CVA naadloos bij aansluit zijn de wens dat zorg goed aansluit op het functioneren thuis en het hebben van meer regie door cliënten en naasten tijdens het zorgproces.
2011, Article / Letter to editor (Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, vol. 18, iss. 3, (2011), pp. 163-171)Introduction: The aim was to obtain the best available knowledge on stroke survivors' experiences of rehabilitation. The increase in demands for accountability in health care and acknowledgement of the importance of client participation in health decisions calls for systematic ways of integrating this perspective. Methods and materials: A systematic review of qualitative studies was performed. A literature search in MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE was conducted. Suitability for inclusion was based on selected criteria: published qualitative studies written in English from 1990 to 2008 on stroke survivors' experiences of rehabilitation in a clinical setting. Data analysis entailed extracting, editing, grouping, and abstracting findings. Results: Twelve studies were included. One theme, "Power and Empowerment" and six subcategories were identified: 1) Coping with a new situation, 2) Informational needs, 3) Physical and non-physical needs, 4) Being personally valued and treated with respect, 5) Collaboration with health care professionals and 6) Assuming responsibility and seizing control. Discussion: The synthesis showed that stroke survivors' experiences of rehabilitation reflected individual and relational aspects of power and empowerment. The capacity to assume power and empowerment was a dynamic rather than a progressive issue, and enabling empowerment was a matter of weighing contrasting issues against each other, e. g. the right to decide versus the right not to decide.
2011, Article / Letter to editor (Wetenschappelijk Tijdschrift voor Ergotherapie, vol. 4, iss. 3, (2011), pp. 60-63)In deze column zullen wij stilstaan bij het concept CBOT, en de concepten ‘community’ en ‘occupation’. We hopen met deze column een discussie op gang te brengen over een nieuwe ontwikkeling in Nederland en aan te geven hoe belangrijk het is om (vertaalde) concepten goed te definiëren.
2011, Article / Letter to editor (BMC Neurology, vol. 11, (2011))Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1) is one of the most prevalent neuromuscular diseases, yet very little is known about how MD1 affects the lives of couples and how they themselves manage individually and together. To better match health care to their problems, concerns and needs, it is important to understand their perspective of living with this hereditary, systemic disease. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out with a purposive sample of five middle-aged couples, including three men and two women with MD1 and their partners. Fifteen in-depth interviews with persons with MD1, with their partners and with both of them as a couple took place in the homes of the couples in two cities and three villages in the Netherlands in 2009. Results: People with MD1 associate this progressive, neuromuscular condition with decreasing abilities, describing physical, cognitive and psychosocial barriers to everyday activities and social participation. Partners highlighted the increasing care giving burden, giving directions and using reminders to compensate for the lack of initiative and avoidant behaviour due to MD1. Couples portrayed the dilemmas and frustrations of renegotiating roles and responsibilities; stressing the importance of achieving a balance between individual and shared activities. All participants experienced a lack of understanding from relatives, friends, and society, including health care, leading to withdrawal and isolation. Health care was perceived as fragmentary, with specialists focusing on specific aspects of the disease rather than seeking to understand the implications of the systemic disorder on daily life. Conclusions: Learning from these couples has resulted in recommendations that challenge the tendency to treat MD1 as a condition with primarily physical impairments. It is vital to listen to couples, to elicit the impact of MD1, as a multisystem disorder that influences every aspect of their life together. Couple management, supporting the self-management skills of both partners is proposed as a way of reducing the mismatch between health services and health needs.
2009, Article / Letter to editor (Wetenschappelijk Tijdschrift voor Ergotherapie, vol. 2009, iss. 4, (2009), pp. 24-26)NEON is een Netwerk voor Ergotherapie Onderzoekers in de regio Nijmegen. Een van de doelstellingen van NEON is dat het een bijdrage wil leveren aan visieontwikkeling en uitvoering van ergotherapieonderzoek. In dit artikel stelt NEON zich kort aan u voor, gaan we in op de voordelen van het samenwerkingsverband en geven we een korte reactie op de Europese onderzoeksagenda.
2009, Article / Letter to editor (Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, vol. 16, iss. 4, (2009), pp. 205-215)The objective of this study was to produce a valid Danish translation of the Dutch "Occupational therapy guideline for assessment and treatment of apraxia in CVA clients"; to investigate the inter-rater reliability of the assessment instrument in terms of ADL observations; and to determine the content validity of the translation. The inter-rater reliability was investigated using video observations and multiple raters, who also judged the content validity quantitatively. For the scores of the patient's occupational performance the study found moderate to good inter-rater reliability for three of four variables and poor to fair inter-rater reliability for one variable, indicated by intra-class correlation coefficient and Kappa statistic. For the conclusion variables the results demonstrated fair inter-rater reliability for five of six variables and poor inter-rater reliability for one variable, also indicated by Kappa statistic. The content validity was judged valid for 100 and invalid for 28 of the guideline's defined elements. The conclusion, taking the complexity of the ADL observations and the study design into consideration, is that the Danish version can serve as a guideline within Danish occupational therapy practice. However, a translational recheck, further psychometric testing, and a minimum two-day training course is recommended before implementation in practice.