Differences in Societal Participation Across Diagnostic Groups: Secondary Analyses of 8 Studies Using the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation.

Objective: To determine differences in participation problems between diagnostic groups and to examine diagnosis as a determinant of participation with and without statistically accounting for confounders.

Design: Secondary analyses of data from 8 studies.

Setting: Community, the Netherlands.

Brain training improves recovery after stroke but waiting list improves equally: A multicenter randomized controlled trial of a computer-based cognitive flexibility training.

Background: Brain training is currently widely used in an attempt to improve cognitive functioning. Computer-based training can be performed at home and could therefore be an effective add-on to available rehabilitation programs aimed at improving cognitive functioning. Several studies have reported cognitive improvements after computer training, but most lacked proper active and passive control conditions.

Relations between muscle endurance and subjectively reported fatigue, walking capacity, and participation in mildly affected adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Aim: To investigate the relation between muscle endurance and subjectively reported fatigue, walking capacity, and participation in mildly affected adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and peers with typical development.

Method: In this case-control study, knee extensor muscle endurance was estimated from individual load-endurance curves as the load corresponding to a 15-repetition maximum in 17 adolescents with spastic CP (six males, 11 females; age 12-19y) and 18 adolescents with typical development (eight males, 10 females; age 13-19y). Questionnaires were used to assess subjectively reported fatigue (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale) and participation (Life-Habits questionnaire).

Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Cognitive and Functional Outcome of Stroke Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in stroke patients is associated with worse functional and cognitive status during inpatient rehabilitation. We hypothesized that a four-week period of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment would improve cognitive and functional outcomes.

Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial in stroke patients admitted to a neurorehabilitation unit.

Practice variation in the structure of stroke rehabilitation in four rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.

Objective: To describe practice variation in the structure of stroke rehabilitation in 4 specialized multidisciplinary rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.

Design And Methods: A multidisciplinary expert group formulated a set of 23 elements concerning the structure of inpatient and outpatient stroke rehabilitation, categorized into 4 domains: admission-related (n = 7), treatment-related (n = 10), client involvement-related (n = 2), and facilities-related (n = 4). In a cross-sectional study in 4 rehabilitation centres data on the presence and content of these elements were abstracted from treatment programmes and protocols.

Cost-effectiveness of 40-hour versus 100-hour vocational rehabilitation on work participation for workers on sick leave due to subacute or chronic musculoskeletal pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although vocational rehabilitation is a widely advocated intervention for workers on sick leave due to subacute or chronic nonspecific musculoskeletal pain, the optimal dosage of effective and cost-effective vocational rehabilitation remains unknown. The objective of this paper is to describe the design of a non-inferiority trial evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of 40-h multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation compared with 100-h multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation on work participation for workers on sick leave due to subacute or chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Methods/design: A non-inferiority study design will be applied.

Evaluation of the implementation of the protocol of an early vocational rehabilitation intervention for people with acquired brain injury.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the feasibility of an early vocational rehabilitation (EVR) protocol in the standard rehabilitation process, (2) promoting factors and barriers encountered with the EVR protocol, and (3) perceived effectiveness of the protocol in facilitating return to work (RTW) following acquired brain injury (ABI).

Method: A pre- and post-process evaluation was performed in a Dutch rehabilitation center. Dependent variables were feasibility (defined by the usability on process level and fulfillment of usability expectations), promoting factors and barriers, and perceived effectiveness of the protocol.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Related to Impaired Cognitive and Functional Status after Stroke.

Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder in stroke patients and is associated with prolonged hospitalization, decreased functional outcome, and recurrent stroke. Research on the effect of OSA on cognitive functioning following stroke is scarce. The primary objective of this study was to compare stroke patients with and without OSA on cognitive and functional status upon admission to inpatient rehabilitation.

The effect of obstructive sleep apnea and treatment with continuous positive airway pressure on stroke rehabilitation: rationale, design and methods of the TOROS study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in stroke patients. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with stroke severity and poor functional outcome. Continuous positive airway pressure seems to improve functional recovery in stroke rehabilitation.

Can a prediction model combining self-reported symptoms, sociodemographic and clinical features serve as a reliable first screening method for sleep apnea syndrome in patients with stroke?

Objective: To determine whether a prediction model combining self-reported symptoms, sociodemographic and clinical parameters could serve as a reliable first screening method in a step-by-step diagnostic approach to sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in stroke rehabilitation.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Rehabilitation center.

[Give more attention to work participation].

As a result of an ageing work force and the continuing economic crisis, the coming decades will demand a long-term active role on the part of the Dutch in participating in paid and voluntary work as well as volunteer aid. This will provide a significant stimulus for so-called work-related healthcare: care that incorporates prevention and treatment of work-related symptoms and diseases, thereby enabling timely and sustainable work participation. Both patients and an increasing number of doctors are willing to contribute to this system of integrated care.

Diagnostic accuracy of nocturnal oximetry for detection of sleep apnea syndrome in stroke rehabilitation.

Background And Purpose: Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is a common sleep disorder in stroke patients and is associated with decreased recovery and increased risk of recurrent stroke and mortality. The standard diagnostic test for SAS is poly(somno)graphy, but this is often not feasible in stroke rehabilitation settings. This study investigated the diagnostic value of nocturnal oximetry for screening SAS in stroke rehabilitation.

Factors influencing return to work experienced by people with acquired brain injury: a qualitative research study.

Purpose: To describe the factors experienced by adults with moderate-to-severe acquired brain injury (ABI) as either limiting or facilitating during the process of return to work (RTW) in order to give an advice about the vocational rehabilitation process.

Methods: A qualitative study was performed. Twelve adults who were working before acquiring traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury (2-3 years earlier) participated.

Return to work after spinal cord injury: is it related to wheelchair capacity at discharge from clinical rehabilitation?

Objectives: To describe the number of people with spinal cord injury who returned to work (RTW) 1 yr after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and to investigate whether RTW can be predicted from wheelchair capacity at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, after correction for confounders.

Design: Prospective cohort study in which 118 subjects with spinal cord injury (age 18-65 yrs) of eight Dutch rehabilitation centers participated. Main outcome measure was RTW for at least 1 hr/wk.

Validity of DynaPort GaitMonitor for assessment of spatiotemporal parameters in amputee gait.

Accelerometry can be used to objectively assess the walking ability of people with a lower-limb prosthesis inside and outside the laboratory setting. In this study, the validity of the DynaPort GaitMonitor software (McRoberts, The Hague, the Netherlands) for assessing spatiotemporal parameters of amputee gait was evaluated. Fourteen subjects with a lower-limb prosthesis walked on a straight level walkway at a self-selected walking speed over three different distances.