The outcomes of a vocational rehabilitation and mentorship program in unemployed young adults with acquired brain injury.

Background: Persons with disabilities are at risk for unemployment with negative long-term consequences.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the process and outcomes of a novel vocational rehabilitation (VR) program based on the concept of mentorship.

Methods: Observational, retrospective study including unemployed young adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) taking part in a VR program including assessment, training, individual counselling and mentor support from volunteering professionals.

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.

Validity of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire in Patients With Stroke.

Objective: To investigate the measurement properties of the Dutch version of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) in patients with stroke.

Design: Validation study.

Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation clinic.

Evaluation of shoulder function after secondary surgery in children with Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy.

Purpose: Shoulder function in children with Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP) can be impaired. Functional gain is possible by an internal contracture release and muscle tendon transfer (ICL+MTT) for external rotation. This study evaluates the functional results of this intervention.

The educational needs of people with systemic sclerosis: a cross-sectional study using the Dutch version of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool (D-ENAT).

The Dutch Educational Needs Assessment Tool (D-ENAT) systematically assesses educational needs of patients with rheumatic diseases. The present study aims to describe the educational needs of Dutch patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The D-ENAT was sent to 155 SSc patients registered at the outpatient clinic of a university hospital.

Problems in Functioning in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Admitted for Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation.

Background: Little is known about the extent to which improvements in various problem areas are attained after multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP).

Aim: To describe the pre- and postcontents of problems in functioning from the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in terms of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in CMP patients following a 15-week rehabilitation program.

Methods: In all patients admitted to a rehabilitation program, the COPM was administered at admission and discharge.

The risk for depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a population-based cohort study.

Introduction: Depression is frequent in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. However, epidemiological data about the potential increase in risk are lacking. This study compares the rate of doctor-diagnosed depression in a well defined cohort of AS patients to the general population seeking care.

Sociodemographic and disease-related factors are associated with patient-reported anxiety and depression in spondyloarthritis patients in the Swedish SpAScania cohort.

Anxiety and depression are common among patients with rheumatic diseases. This study aims to explore which factors are associated with self-reported anxiety and depression in a well-defined cohort of spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients. In 2009, 3,711 patients from the SpAScania cohort were sent a postal questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical and mental functioning.

Which patients improve the most after arthritis rehabilitation? A study of predictors in patients with inflammatory arthritis in Northern Europe, the STAR-ETIC collaboration.

Objective: To study health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in arthritis rehabilitation performed by multidisciplinary teams in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis. Predictors of change in health-related quality of life and the proportion of patients with clinical improvement were investigated.

Design: Multicentre prospective observational study in 4 European countries.

Evaluation of a website providing information on regional health care services for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an observational study.

Studies on the effectiveness of information provision for patients with arthritis through the Internet are scarce. This study aimed to describe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' knowledge and information needs before and after launching a website providing information on regional health care services for patients with rheumatic conditions. The intervention consisted of a weekly updated website comprising practical information on regional health care services for patients with arthritis.

Validity and responsiveness of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II to assess disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: To investigate the validity and responsiveness of the World Health Organization Disability Schedule II (WHODAS II) in patients with established RA.

Methods: In 85 RA patients admitted for rehabilitation, the WHODAS II (0-100) was applied at admission and 6 weeks after discharge. Additional assessments included measures of physical and psychological functioning, disease activity and quality of life.

Measuring educational needs among patients with rheumatoid arthritis using the Dutch version of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool (DENAT).

The Educational Needs Assessment Tool (ENAT) was developed in the United Kingdom (UK) to systematically assess the educational needs of patients with arthritis. The aim of the present study was to describe the educational needs of Dutch patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using the Dutch version of the ENAT (DENAT). The original UK version of the ENAT, comprising 39 items grouped into seven domains, was translated into Dutch according to international guidelines for cross-cultural translation and adaptation.

Extramuscular myofascial force transmission also occurs between synergistic muscles and antagonistic muscles.

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that myofascial force transmission may not be limited by compartmental boundaries of a muscle group to synergists. Muscles of the anterior tibial compartment in rat hindlimb as well as of the neighbouring peroneal compartment (antagonistic muscles) were excited maximally. Length-force data, based on proximal lengthening, of EDL, as well as distal lengthening of the tibial muscles (TA+EHL) and the peroneal muscle group (PER) were collected independently, while keeping the other two muscle groups at a constant muscle-tendon complex length.