Guidelines for assistive technology service provision - A scoping review.

Purpose: Despite the high unmet need for effective AT provision, multiple service delivery models across different countries, and a shortage of personnel trained in this field, no widely useable and accepted Assistive Technology (AT) service provision guidelines currently exist. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature regarding AT service provision guidelines to inform the development of globally useable AT provision guidance, aligned with contemporary global initiatives to improve access to AT.

Materials And Methods: The rapid scoping review method used a two-tiered approach to identifying relevant publications: (1) systematic search of academic databases (Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar); (2) consultation with international AT organisations and experts.

Timing of surgery in acute deep partial-thickness burns: A study protocol.

For deep partial-thickness burns no consensus on the optimal treatment has been reached due to conflicting study outcomes with low quality evidence. Treatment options in high- and middle-income countries include conservative treatment with delayed excision and grafting if needed; and early excision and grafting. The majority of timing of surgery studies focus on survival rather than on quality of life.

Changes in Motor Competence of 4-8-Year-Old Children: A Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: The development of children's motor competence (MC) from early to middle childhood can follow different courses. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to describe and quantify the prevalence of patterns of MC development from early to middle childhood and to identify undesirable patterns.

Design: The study used a longitudinal design.

Citizens' perspectives on relocating care: a scoping review.

Background: Healthcare systems around the world are facing large challenges. There are increasing demands and costs while at the same time a diminishing health workforce. Without reform, healthcare systems are unsustainable.

Homing wellness: can narrative design transform living spaces for people with dementia into engaging environments enabling communication?

Interactive design is an emerging trend in dementia care environments. This article describes a research project aiming at the design and development of novel spatial objects with narrative attributes that incorporate embedded technology and textiles to support the wellbeing of people living with dementia. In collaboration with people with dementia, this interdisciplinary research project focuses on the question of how innovative spatial objects can be incorporated into dementia long-term care settings, transforming the space into a comforting and playful narrative environment that can enhance self-esteem while also facilitating communication between people living with dementia, family, and staff members.

The Push Forward in Rehabilitation: Validation of a Machine Learning Method for Detection of Wheelchair Propulsion Type.

Within rehabilitation, there is a great need for a simple method to monitor wheelchair use, especially whether it is active or passive. For this purpose, an existing measurement technique was extended with a method for detecting self- or attendant-pushed wheelchair propulsion. The aim of this study was to validate this new detection method by comparison with manual annotation of wheelchair use.

The effect of a dermoscopy training programme on diagnostic accuracy and management decisions regarding pigmented skin lesions: a comparison between dermal therapists and general practitioners.

Background: Dermoscopy is known to increase the diagnostic accuracy of pigmented skin lesions (PSLs) when used by trained professionals. The effect of dermoscopy training on the diagnostic ability of dermal therapists (DTs) has not been studied so far.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether DTs, in comparison with general practitioners (GPs), benefited from a training programme including dermoscopy, in both their ability to differentiate between different forms of PSL and to assign the correct therapeutic strategy.

Trunk motion influences mechanical power estimates during wheelchair propulsion.

In wheelchair sports, there is an increasing need to monitor mechanical power in the field. When rolling resistance is known, inertial measurement units (IMUs) can be used to determine mechanical power. However, upper body (i.

Methods proposed for monitoring the implementation of evidence-based research: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Evidence-based research (EBR) is the systematic and transparent use of prior research to inform a new study so that it answers questions that matter in a valid, efficient, and accessible manner. This study surveyed experts about existing (e.g.

The Influence of a Multistage Mountain-Bike Race on Neuromuscular Activation and Synergies: A Case Study.

Introduction: This case study aimed to describe potential changes in neuromuscular activation and synergies after an 8-day cross-country mountain-bike stage race.

Methods: A peak power output test was performed 5 days before the race. Two days before the start and after 7 days of racing, the athlete performed a power-based Lamberts Submaximal Cycling Test, including surface electromyography, and completed a Daily Analysis of Life Demands of Athletes questionnaire.

An iterative approach to developing a multifaceted implementation strategy for a complex eHealth intervention within clinical practice.

Background: The number of complex eHealth interventions has increased considerably. Despite available implementation theory outlining well-designed strategies, implementing complex interventions within practice proves challenging and often does not lead to sustainable use. To improve sustainability, theory and practice should be addressed during the development of an implementation strategy.

When routine becomes stressful: A qualitative study into resuscitation team members' perception of stress and performance.

Interprofessional teamwork is of high importance during stressful situations such as CPR. Stress can potentially influence team performance. This study explores the perception of stress and its stressors during performance under pressure, to be able to further adjust or develop training.

Development of the Food Boost Challenge: A Participatory Action Research Approach to Enhance Vegetable and Fruit Consumption among Adolescents.

Prevention of non-communicable diseases through, among other factors, increasing vegetables and fruit (V&F) intake is a cost-effective strategy for risk reduction but requires behavioral change. Such changes in adolescents benefit from their active involvement. The Food Boost Challenge (FBC) was developed using a participatory action research approach to enhance healthy eating behaviors, namely V&F products among adolescents.

A multi-year quantitative study of the experienced age-friendliness in The Hague: A tale of four personas.

As an active member of the Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, The Hague has been monitoring the progress over the years. In 2022, a second cross-sectional survey based on the Age Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire (AFCCQ) was conducted among 396 community-dwelling older citizens in the municipality. During times of the pandemic, scores for Social Participation went notably down, and scores for Respect and Social Inclusion increased.

Outcomes that matter most to burn patients: A national multicentre survey study in the Netherlands.

Background: The use of patient-reported outcomes to improve burn care increases. Little is known on burn patients' views on what outcomes are most important, and about preferences regarding online Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). Therefore, this study assessed what outcomes matter most to patients, and gained insights into patient preferences towards the use of online PROMs.

Personalized surveillance and aftercare for non-metastasized breast cancer: the NABOR study protocol of a multiple interrupted time series design.

Background: Follow-up of curatively treated primary breast cancer patients consists of surveillance and aftercare and is currently mostly the same for all patients. A more personalized approach, based on patients' individual risk of recurrence and personal needs and preferences, may reduce patient burden and reduce (healthcare) costs. The NABOR study will examine the (cost-)effectiveness of personalized surveillance (PSP) and personalized aftercare plans (PAP) on patient-reported cancer worry, self-rated and overall quality of life and (cost-)effectiveness.

The effect of dietary interventions on pain and quality of life in women diagnosed with endometriosis: a prospective study with control group.

Study Question: What is the influence of dietary interventions, namely the low fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols (Low FODMAP) diet and endometriosis diet, on endometriosis-related pain and quality of life (QoL) compared to a control group?

Summary Answer: After adhering to a dietary intervention for 6 months, women with endometriosis reported less pain and an improved QoL compared to baseline whereas, compared to the control group, they reported less bloating and a better QoL in 3 of 11 domains.

What Is Known Already: Standard endometriosis treatment can be insufficient or may be accompanied by unacceptable side effects. This has resulted in an increasing interest in self-management strategies, including the appliance of the Low FODMAP diet and the endometriosis diet (an experience-based avoidance diet, developed by women with endometriosis).

Methyl Donor Nutrient Intake and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes: Results From Three Large U.S. Cohorts.

Objective: We examined whether intake of methyl donor nutrients, including vitamins B2, B6, and B12 and folate, from foods and/or supplements is associated with type 2 diabetes risk.

Research Design And Methods: We included 203,644 women and men from the Nurses' Health Study (1984-2016), Nurses' Health Study 2 (1991-2017), and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986-2016). Dietary data were collected every 2-4 years with use of semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaires.

Real-Life Wheelchair Mobility Metrics from IMUs.

Daily wheelchair ambulation is seen as a risk factor for shoulder problems, which are prevalent in manual wheelchair users. To examine the long-term effect of shoulder load from daily wheelchair ambulation on shoulder problems, quantification is required in real-life settings. In this study, we describe and validate a comprehensive and unobtrusive methodology to derive clinically relevant wheelchair mobility metrics (WCMMs) from inertial measurement systems (IMUs) placed on the wheelchair frame and wheel in real-life settings.

NextGEM: Next-Generation Integrated Sensing and Analytical System for Monitoring and Assessing Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Health.

The evolution of emerging technologies that use Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) has increased the interest of the scientific community and society regarding the possible adverse effects on human health and the environment. This article provides NextGEM's vision to assure safety for EU citizens when employing existing and future EMF-based telecommunication technologies. This is accomplished by generating relevant knowledge that ascertains appropriate prevention and control/actuation actions regarding RF-EMF exposure in residential, public, and occupational settings.

Challenging Behavior in Context: A Case Study on How People, Space, and Activities Interact.

Aim: We aim to gain insight into the interaction between challenging behavior as shown by individuals with an intellectual impairment, and space, and to explore the possibilities of using routinely collected data to this end.

Background: Research on challenging behavior by intellectually impaired individuals links their behavior to context, which includes space. Unfortunately, research about this link is hard to conduct, since these individuals may have difficulties expressing themselves verbally and react extremely to sensory stimuli.

Population differences in completeness and reliability of Dutch COVID-19 registry data: The influence of testing policy, test readiness, and registration policy from an epidemiological perspective.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bidirectional relationship between policy and data reliability has been a challenge for researchers of the local municipal health services. Policy decisions on population specific test locations and selective registration of negative test results led to population differences in data quality. This hampered the calculation of reliable population specific infection rates needed to develop proper data driven public health policy.

Cardiac magnetic resonance-guided cardiac ablation: a case series of an early experience.

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has become a widely used therapeutic approach. However, long-term results in terms of arrhythmia recurrence are still suboptimal. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) could offer a valuable tool to overcome this limitation, with the possibility of targeting the arrhythmic substrate and evaluating the location, depth, and possible gaps of RF lesions.