Publications by authors named "Robbert Wouters"

Article Synopsis
  • A study was conducted to evaluate how patients' mindsets changed after consulting a hand surgeon, focusing on their perceptions of illness and treatment.
  • 276 patients with hand and wrist conditions completed mindset questionnaires before and after their consultations, revealing significant improvements in illness perception and pain-related attitudes.
  • Results indicated that while both surgical and nonsurgical patients benefitted, surgical patients showed greater improvement, suggesting a need for tailored strategies to enhance mindset in nonsurgical patients.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate the validity and responsiveness of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) for patients suffering from thumb carpometacarpal arthritis.
  • Data was collected from 267 to 323 patients in 34 clinics in the Netherlands, using the PSFS and comparing it with the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire to test its effectiveness.
  • Results showed that the PSFS has good content and discriminative validity, distinguishing between satisfied and dissatisfied patients, and measures a unique construct separate from the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire.
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Purpose: To evaluate the patients' perspectives on the use of patient- and outcome information tools in everyday care and to investigate which characteristics affect general understanding and perceived value of patient- and outcome information.

Methods: This mixed-methods study included surveys and interviews on understanding, experience, decision-support, and perceived value in patients with hand and wrist conditions and chronic pain. We synthesized our quantitative and qualitative findings using a triangulation protocol and identified factors independently associated with general understanding and perceived value of patient- and outcome information using hierarchical logistic regression.

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Although trigger thumb release is commonly performed, there is no consensus on the optimal skin incision. This study aimed to compare outcomes of four incision techniques, including V-shaped, oblique, transverse and longitudinal incisions. Outcomes included the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, satisfaction with the treatment and postoperative complications.

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Background And Objectives: Surgeons rely on clinical experience when making predictions about treatment effects. Incorporating algorithm-based predictions of symptom improvement after carpal tunnel release (CTR) could support medical decision-making. However, these algorithm-based predictions need to outperform predictions made by surgeons to add value.

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Background: No patient-reported instrument assesses patient-specific information needs, treatment goals, and personal meaningful gain (PMG), a novel construct evaluating individualized, clinically relevant improvement. This study reports the development of the Patient-Specific Needs Evaluation (PSN) and examines its discriminative validity (ie, its ability to distinguish satisfied from dissatisfied patients) and test-retest reliability in patients with hand or wrist conditions.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used to develop and validate the PSN, following Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments guidelines, including pilot testing, a survey (pilot, n = 223; final PSN, n = 275), cognitive debriefing ( n = 16), expert input, and validation.

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Background: Although nonsurgical treatment of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC-1) osteoarthritis (OA) provides short-term improvement, the durability of these effects beyond 1 year is unknown. In this study, we investigated patient-reported pain and limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) at >5 years following nonsurgical treatment (i.e.

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Background: Baseline mindset factors are important factors that influence treatment decisions and outcomes. Theoretically, improving the mindset prior to treatment may improve treatment decisions and outcomes. This prospective cohort study evaluated changes in patients' mindset following hand surgeon consultation.

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Objectives: To investigate the association of sociodemographic, clinical, and mindset characteristics on outcomes measured with a patient-specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM); the Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS). Secondly, we examined whether these factors differ when a fixed-item PROM, the Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire (MHQ), is used as an outcome.

Design: Cohort study, using the aforementioned groups of factors in a hierarchical linear regression.

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Article Synopsis
  • Mental health significantly affects decision-making and outcomes in musculoskeletal healthcare, and there’s a need for a simple, low-burden tool for screening mental health in clinical settings.* -
  • The study aimed to identify key items from existing mental health questionnaires, assess the validity and reliability of a new ultrashort four-item screening tool, and evaluate its practical application in understanding pain and hand function.* -
  • Data were collected from over 19,000 patients with hand and wrist issues, using a structured approach to ensure the new screening tool was both effective and user-friendly for clinical purposes.*
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Purpose: Describing the outcomes of an exercise program on wrist and hand function for patients with midcarpal instability (MCI).

Materials And Methods: This study has a prospective cohort design. Two hundred and thirteen patients with MCI were included.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to analyze complications within the first year after trapeziectomy with Weilby sling surgery and assess their impact on patient-reported outcomes after 12 months.
  • Researchers examined 531 patients who underwent the surgery from 2013 to 2018, using the ICHAW tool to record complications and the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) for measuring pain and hand function before and after surgery.
  • Results showed that 65% of patients had a smooth recovery, while 19% faced significant complications; despite this, most patients reported improvements in pain and function, highlighting the need for better classification of complications and further evaluation of the ICHAW tool.
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Background: Multiple studies have shown that more-positive outcome expectations are associated with better treatment outcomes. Although this has not been shown to represent a causal relationship, there nonetheless is an interest in positively modifying outcome expectations to improve treatment outcomes. However, little is known about what is independently associated with outcome expectations in clinical practice.

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Purpose: To describe patient-reported pain and function 12 months after proximal row carpectomy (PRC). Secondary outcomes included return to work, grip strength, range of wrist motion, satisfaction with treatment results, and complications.

Methods: This cohort study was part of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand Studyathon 2021, using ongoing routinely-collected data of 304 eligible patients who underwent PRC (73% scapholunate advanced collapse, 11% scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrist; 11% Kienböck, 5% other indications) from Xpert Clinics, the Netherlands between 2012-2020.

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Purpose: If early active motion after 3-ligament tenodesis is safe, it may yield more patient comfort and an early return to activities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether early active motion is noninferior to late active motion after 3-ligament tenodesis for scapholunate interosseous ligament injuries.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter cohort study, using a noninferiority design with propensity score matching, compared a late active motion protocol (immobilization for 10-16 days, wrist therapy in weeks 5-6) with an early active motion protocol (immobilization for 3-5 days, wrist therapy during week 2).

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Background: Although trigger finger release is considered a safe procedure, large cohort studies reporting consistent complication rates and functional outcomes are scarce. Further insight into outcomes of this commonly performed procedure is essential for adequate treatment evaluation and patient counseling. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the complication rates and functional outcomes following trigger finger release.

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Purpose: Although A1 pulley release is an effective treatment to reduce pain and improve hand function, complications may occur. More insight into risk factors for complications is essential to improve patient counseling and potentially target modifiable risk factors. This study aimed to identify factors associated with complications following A1 pulley release.

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Background: The brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire (brief MHQ) is a 12-item self-reported measure of hand function for patients with hand disorders which has been validated using Classical Test Theory. Rasch analysis can provide more detailed psychometric information. The purpose of this Rasch analysis is to assess the psychometric properties of the brief MHQ for patients with thumb osteoarthritis, and to make recommendations for improvements to the questionnaire if needed.

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Objectives: The Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ) is a commonly used evaluation for hand problems, but previous work reports conflicting evidence regarding the subscale structures. Rasch analysis uses probabilistic modeling of items and responses: if scale items can be fit to the Rasch model, it provides evidence of construct validity and interval-level measurement for precise statistical estimates. We conducted Rasch analysis on the MHQ to evaluate model fit, unidimensionality of the subscales, bias across person factors, and conversion to interval metrics.

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Surgical A1 pulley release can considerably reduce pain and improve hand function, but individual outcomes are highly variable. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to self-reported pain and hand function 3 months postoperatively. We included 2681 patients who had received surgical treatment for a trigger finger or thumb and who completed the Michigan Hand outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ).

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Background: Satisfaction with treatment results is an important outcome domain in striving for patient-centered and value-based healthcare. Although numerous studies have investigated factors associated with satisfaction with treatment results, most studies used relatively small samples. Additionally, many studies have only investigated univariable associations instead of multivariable associations; to our knowledge, none have investigated the independent association of baseline sociodemographics, quality of life, improvement in pain and function, experiences with healthcare delivery, and baseline measures of mental health with satisfaction with treatment results.

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Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are frequently used to assess treatment outcomes for hand and wrist conditions. To adequately interpret these outcomes, it is important to determine whether a statistically significant change is also clinically relevant. For this purpose, the minimally important change (MIC) was developed, representing the minimal within-person change in outcome that patients perceive as a beneficial treatment effect.

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Purpose: To describe the principles, process, and results of creating the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) standard set for hand and wrist conditions.

Methods: Following the standardized methods of ICHOM, an international working group of hand surgeons, therapists, and researchers was assembled to develop an evidence-based, patient-centered, standard set of outcome measures for patients with hand and wrist conditions. Multiple systematic reviews were performed to support our choices of outcome domains and tools for hand and wrist conditions.

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