Balance training during acute medical treatment for pediatric cancer - subjective benefits and preliminary effects on selected physical abilities.

Background:  As balance training seems to be a promising training method to improve physical limitations of the lower limbs, this study aims to evaluate feasibility, subjective benefits and preliminary effects on physical abilities of balance training in pediatric cancer patients.

Patients:  11 pediatric cancer patients (5-21 years) undergoing acute medical treatment were included in the study.

Method:  Participants took part in a 4-week balance training intervention.

Breastfeeding-Related Adverse Drug Reactions of Triptans: A Descriptive Analysis Using Four Pharmacovigilance Databases.

: Migraine attacks are common in women of reproductive age. Although attacks are often less severe and less frequent during pregnancy, they regularly reoccur shortly after delivery. When first-line analgesic treatment is insufficient, triptans may be used for acute treatment of migraine attacks.

A comparison of infants' birth defects self-reported by mothers with data provided by general practitioners: Data from the Dutch Pregnancy Drug Register.

Background: Since the presence of a birth defect is often a primary outcome in drug-safety studies among pregnant women, researching the validity of data collection methods is imperative. The aim of this study is to compare self-reported birth defects in infants by mothers with the information provided by general practitioners (GP (singular) or GPs (plural)).

Methods: Mothers who participated in the Dutch Pregnancy Drug Register reported information about possible birth defects of their infants via questionnaires.

The never-ending patient journey of chronically ill patients: A qualitative case study on touchpoints in relation to patient-centered care.

Background: Healthcare professionals caring for chronically ill patients increasingly want to provide patient-centered care (PCC). By understanding each individual patient journey, they can significantly improve the quality of PCC. A patient journey consists of patient interactions, so-called touchpoints, with healthcare professionals distributed over three periods: pre-service, service, and post-service period.

The effect of a locally tailored intervention on the uptake of preconception care in the Netherlands: a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial (APROPOS-II study).

Background: The preconception period provides a window of opportunity for interventions aiming to reduce unhealthy lifestyle behaviours and their negative effect on pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a locally tailored preconception care (PCC) intervention in a hybrid-II effectiveness implementation design.

Methods: A stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial was performed in four Dutch municipalities.

Knowledge and skills used for clinical decision-making on childbirth interventions: A qualitative study among midwives in the Netherlands.

Introduction: Appropriate use of interventions in maternity care is a worldwide issue. Midwifery-led models of care are associated with more efficient use of resources, fewer medical interventions, and improved outcomes. However, the use of interventions varies considerably between midwives.

Experiences, Beliefs, and Values Influencing Midwives' Attitudes Toward the Use of Childbirth Interventions.

Introduction: Intervention rates in perinatal care vary between and within countries, without populations' characteristics as a full explanation. Research suggests that one factor in this variation might be the attitudes of perinatal health care providers. Systematic knowledge on the background of midwives' attitudes and how this influences the use of interventions is limited.

Planning is not equivalent to preparing, how Dutch women perceive their pregnancy planning in relation to preconceptional lifestyle behaviour change - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Unhealthy prenatal lifestyle behaviours are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but little is known about what motivates women to comply with preconceptional lifestyle recommendations or consciously plan their pregnancy. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the associations between preconceptional lifestyle behaviours, health beliefs and pregnancy planning among Dutch pregnant women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study based on the data of the APROPOS-II study, 1,077 low-risk pregnant women were eligible for inclusion.

Exploring male perceptions regarding the need to engage in preconception care - a mixed-method study amongst Dutch (prospective) fathers.

Purpose: While most preconception care (PCC) interventions are aimed at women, men are also in need of PCC to reduce risk factors affecting the spermatozoa quality. The objective of this study is to explore male perceptions regarding the need to engage in PCC.

Materials And Methods: In a mixed-method cross-sectional study, 229 men participated with a questionnaire and 14 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted.

How to improve preconception care in a local setting? Views from Dutch multidisciplinary healthcare providers.

Objective: To explore healthcare providers' views on improving preconception care in their region.

Design: Mixed-methods study.

Setting: Working conferences aimed to educate healthcare providers on preconceptional risk factors and conduct a region-specific analysis of barriers and facilitators for implementing preconception care, were organised in ten municipalities in the Netherlands.

Associations between periconceptional lifestyle behaviours and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Background: While the potential adverse outcomes of prenatal exposure to unhealthy lifestyle are widely evidenced, little is known about these exposures in the periconception period. We investigated the associations between lifestyle behaviours and adverse pregnancy outcomes with a unique distinction between preconceptional- and prenatal lifestyle behaviours.

Methods: A secondary analysis took place within a prospective multicentre cohort study in the Netherlands, including 3,684 pregnant women.

Striking a balance: outcomes of short-term Mono-J placement following ureterorenoscopy.

To evaluate factors affecting the outcomes of short-term Mono-J insertion for 6 h following ureteroscopic stone removal. Patients treated with a Mono-J for 6 h after ureterorenoscopy and stone removal were analysed. FaST 1 and 2 (Fast Track Stent Studies), two consecutive single academic centre studies, were conducted between August 2014 and April 2018.

Transient stent placement versus tubeless procedure after ureteroscopy retrograde surgery stone extraction (Fast Track Stent study 2): A randomized prospective evaluation.

Objectives: To determine whether in pre-stented patients undergoing ureteroscopic stone removal (ureteroscopy retrograde surgery) a tubeless procedure provides a better outcome compared with short-term (6 h) ureteral stenting using an external ureteral catheter.

Methods: In this single academic center study (Fast Track Stent study 2), carried out between May 2016 and April 2018, 121 patients with renal or ureteral calculi were initially treated with double-J insertion. Before secondary ureteroscopy retrograde surgery, patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: tubeless versus ureteral catheter insertion for 6 h after ureteroscopy retrograde surgery.

Indoor Wall Climbing with Childhood Cancer Survivors: An Exploratory Study on Feasibility and Benefits.

Background: Exercise interventions in pediatric oncology include primarily traditional types of physical activity (PA) such as endurance and strength training, while there is a growing interest in recreational types of PA for pediatric cancer survivors, as well. One of these motivating and fun activities is indoor wall climbing. Therefore, this exploratory study aims to evaluate the feasibility and beneficial effects of a 10-week indoor wall climbing intervention in pediatric oncology.

Study design of a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a locally tailored approach for preconception care - the APROPOS-II study.

Background: In a previous feasibility study (APROPOS) in a single municipality of the Netherlands, we showed that a locally tailored preconception care (PCC) approach has the potential to positively affect preconceptional lifestyle behaviours. Therefore, we designed a second study (APROPOS-II) to obtain a more robust body of evidence: a larger group of respondents, more municipalities, randomization, and a more comprehensive set of (clinical) outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and the implementation process of a local PCC-approach on preconceptional lifestyle behaviours, health outcomes and the reach of PCC among prospective parents and healthcare providers.

Limited Walking Abilities and Impaired Ankle Dorsiflexion Function in Children After Intense Cancer Treatment.

Background: With improved survival rates in pediatric oncology, the detection of adverse side- and late-effects is gaining increased interest. This cross-sectional study investigated walking abilities and ankle dorsiflexion function in children with cancer.

Patients: Study participants included 16 children with various cancers (4-20 years, patient group) after completion of the intense treatment and 16 age- and gender-matched healthy peers (comparison group).

Abnormal frequency discrimination in children with SLI as indexed by mismatch negativity (MMN).

For several decades, the aetiology of specific language impairment (SLI) has been associated with a central auditory processing deficit disrupting the normal language development of affected children. One important aspect for language acquisition is the discrimination of different acoustic features, such as frequency information. Concerning SLI, studies to date that examined frequency discrimination abilities have been contradictory.

Extracting rules: early and late mismatch negativity to tone patterns.

The auditory processing of physical stimulus features can be measured by the mismatch negativity. Past studies have shown that higher-order stimulus features also elicit a mismatch negativity. In some studies, a second component, termed late mismatch negativity, has been observed; yet the functional significance of this component remains unclear.