Publications by authors named "Waardt D"

Background: Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective and commonly used treatment option for treatment-resistant depression, its cost-effectiveness remains much less studied. In particular, the comparative cost-effectiveness of rTMS and other treatment options, such as antidepressant medication, has not been investigated.

Methods: An economic evaluation with 12 months follow-up was conducted in the Dutch care setting as part of a pragmatic multicenter randomized controlled trial, in which patients with treatment-resistant depression were randomized to treatment with rTMS or treatment with the next pharmacological step according to the treatment algorithm.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: When introduced in 2020, the Netherlands' Compulsory Mental Healthcare Act included provisions for compulsory community treatment (CCT) and compulsory treatment in patients' homes (CTH). Although CCT has been incorporated into mental health care in many countries, its effectiveness is debated. We know of no other countries in which CTH has been adopted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective treatment for depression, little is known about the comparative effectiveness of rTMS and other treatment options, such as antidepressants. In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, rTMS was compared with the next pharmacological treatment step in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Methods: Patients with unipolar nonpsychotic depression (N=89) with an inadequate response to at least two treatment trials were randomized to treatment with rTMS or to a switch of antidepressants, both in combination with psychotherapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Patients with functional neurological disorder (FND) are known to have difficulties recognizing and processing emotions. Problems recognizing internal emotional states (alexithymia) are common in FND, but little is known about recognizing emotions expressed by other people. This study investigates whether patients with FND have higher levels of alexithymia and reduced facial emotion recognition compared to healthy controls.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Multiple studies indicate that compulsory community treatment (CCT) does not significantly improve clinical outcomes or reduce hospital admissions compared to voluntary care, yet many countries still implement it due to stakeholder support.
  • An integrative review examined the perceptions of various stakeholders—patients, significant others, mental health workers, and policymakers—about CCT, identifying a lack of input from policymakers in the existing literature.
  • Most stakeholders, especially relatives and mental health workers, tend to support CCT for its benefits in accessibility and ongoing patient contact, although there's widespread concern about the autonomy restrictions it imposes, with patients showing more hesitation towards CCT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, however, current treatment options are insufficiently effective for about 35% of patients, resulting in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a form of non-invasive neuromodulation that is effective in treating TRD. Not much is known about the comparative efficacy of rTMS and other treatments and their timing within the treatment algorithm, making it difficult for the treating physician to establish when rTMS is best offered as a treatment option.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

On January 1, 2020, the Compulsory Mental Health Care Act took effect in the Netherlands. It contains provisions for compulsory community treatment (CCT) and compulsory treatment at home (CTH). In this study, we collected the opinions of patients and their significant others on CTH and on their preferences regarding compulsory care in their homes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Wernicke encephalopathy (we) is a severe, acute neuropsychiatric disorder caused by a deficiency in thiamine. There have been indications that we is undertreated, which can lead to the Korsakoff syndrome, delirium or death. Treatment according to protocol is simple and effective.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Compulsory treatment in patients' homes (CTH) will be introduced in the new Dutch mental health legislation. The aim of this study is to identify the opinions of mental health workers in the Netherlands on compulsory community treatment (CCT), and particularly on compulsory treatment in the patients' home.

Methods: This is a mixed methods study, comprising a semi-structured interview and a survey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Clinical admissions and inpatient services are increasingly replaced by enhanced community treatment in Western countries. Currently the Dutch mental health legislation is being revised, making compulsory community treatment a novel legal option in The Netherlands.

Aim: To summarize the current literature on compulsory community treatment and to review studies relating to efficacy, patients' and carers' perspectives, and costs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF