Soliciting stakeholders' views on the organization of child and adolescent mental health services: a system in trouble.

Background: Despite a high prevalence of mental health problems among children and adolescents Belgium, like many other Western countries, does not have a clear strategy for the organization of child and adolescent mental healthcare services (CAMHS).

Methods: This paper describes stakeholders' views on the organization of CAMHS based on a qualitative study. Ten in-depth interviews with high profile stakeholders were complemented by roundtable discussions (n = 30).

A systematic review and meta-analysis of acute stroke unit care: what's beyond the statistical significance?

Background: The benefits of stroke unit care in terms of reducing death, dependency and institutional care were demonstrated in a 2009 Cochrane review carried out by the Stroke Unit Trialists' Collaboration.

Methods: As requested by the Belgian health authorities, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of acute stroke units was performed. Clinical trials mentioned in the original Cochrane review were included.

Does somatosensory discrimination activate different brain areas in children with unilateral cerebral palsy compared to typically developing children? An fMRI study.

Aside from motor impairment, many children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) experience altered tactile, proprioceptive, and kinesthetic awareness. Sensory deficits are addressed in rehabilitation programs, which include somatosensory discrimination exercises. In contrast to adult stroke patients, data on brain activation, occurring during somatosensory discrimination exercises, are lacking in CP children.

How does brain activation differ in children with unilateral cerebral palsy compared to typically developing children, during active and passive movements, and tactile stimulation? An fMRI study.

The aim of the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to investigate brain activation associated with active and passive movements, and tactile stimulation in 17 children with right-sided unilateral cerebral palsy (CP), compared to 19 typically developing children (TD). The active movements consisted of repetitive opening and closing of the hand. For passive movements, an MRI-compatible robot moved the finger up and down.

Multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation following cardiac revascularization or valve surgery: patient-related factors for uptake.

Background: There are concerns in Europe regarding the service provision and accessibility of multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation (MDCR) in general, and particularly in ambulatory settings. This paper analyses the utilization of outpatient MDCR and its determinants after cardiac revascularization or valve surgery in Belgium.

Methods: Claims rehabilitation data for all patients discharged in 2007 after a percutaneous cardiac intervention or cardiac surgery were available from the Belgian Common Sickness Funds Agency.

Participating or not in a cardiac rehabilitation programme: factors influencing a patient's decision.

Background: International research indicates that attendance of patients to a proposed cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme varies between 21% and 75%. Addressing the reasons why cardiac patients are not participating will improve accessibility to CR. The objective of this study was to investigate patient compliance with cardiac rehabilitation and the reasons of refusing or abandoning the programme.

Relation between neuroradiological findings and upper limb function in hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

The relation between neuroradiological findings and upper limb function was examined in 53 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). CT and MRI images of the children were classified into four groups (malformations, periventricular lesions, congenital cortical-subcortical lesions and postnatally acquired lesions). Additionally, each single affected neuroanatomical structure was noted.

Quantitative diffusion tensor imaging in cerebral palsy due to periventricular white matter injury.

Periventricular white matter injury (PWI) is a major form of brain injury observed in congenital hemiparesis. The aim of this study is to determine the usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fibre tracking in delineating the primary and secondary degenerative changes in cerebral white matter and deep grey matter in patients with spastic cerebral palsy due to PWI and to look for any possible reorganization of the axonal architecture. Five hemiparetic cerebral palsy patients (median age 14 years) with known PWI were prospectively studied with DTI of the brain at 1.