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Through a Delphi study, consensus was reached regarding recommended self-administered questionnaires to assess fear of movement, coping, self-efficacy, and catastrophizing in patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Depression, anxiety, and somatization influence the recovery of people with musculoskeletal pain. A Delphi study was conducted to reach consensus on the most appropriate self-administered questionnaires to assess these psychosocial factors in people at risk of developing persistent musculoskeletal pain. A multidisciplinary panel of international experts was identified via PubReMiner. The experts (N = 22) suggested 24 questionnaires in Round 1. In Round 2, experts rated the questionnaires on suitability, considering clinimetrics, content, feasibility, personal experiences, and expertise. The highest ranked questionnaires were retained for Round 3, in which the experts made a final assessment of the suitability of the questionnaires. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the impact of 1) not all experts having participated in each round, and 2) experts having been involved in relevant questionnaire development. Consensus (ie, ≥75% agreement) was reached for the following questionnaires.Perspective: This study generated a short list of preferred questionnaires to assess depression, anxiety, and somatization in people with musculoskeletal pain. Broad implementation of these questionnaires by clinicians and researchers will facilitate easier comparison and pooling of baseline and outcome data. Some of the recommended questionnaires still require validation in this population.
BackgroundDepression has a high impact on both patients and the people around them. These non-professional caregivers often experience overburdening and are at risk for developing psychological symptoms themselves. Internet interventions have the potential to be accessible and (cost)-effective in terms of reducing and preventing psychological symptoms. Less is known about their potential to decrease psychological distress among caregivers. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate (1) the user-friendliness and (2) the initial short-term effects on psychological distress of ‘E-care for caregivers’, an internet based guided self-management intervention for non-professional caregivers of depressed patients.MethodsA pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT: n = 80) comparing ‘E-care for caregivers’ (n = 41) with a waitlist-control group (n = 39). The primary outcome measure (user-friendliness) was assessed with the System Usability Scale (SUS) and semi-structured telephone interviews among participants. Interviews were qualitatively analyzed with thematic content analysis. Secondary outcomes were assessed through online questionnaires administered at baseline and post-intervention at six weeks among caregivers. Statistical analyses were conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle using regression techniques for the secondary outcomes.ResultsAll participants were recruited within six weeks through online advertising. Two-thirds of participants experienced higher levels of psychological distress (K10 > 20). The internet intervention was evaluated as user-friendly by caregivers (average score of 81.5, range [0–100]). Results did not show a reduction in psychological distress or other secondary outcome measures. Sensitivity analyses showed a decreased quality of life in the control condition compared to the intervention condition (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.44) and higher levels of mastery (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.48) in the intervention condition compared to controls.DiscussionThe internet intervention was evaluated positively for usability and was considered as easy to use. The study did not show a reduction in symptoms of psychological distress. However, there were some indications that those completing the internet intervention perceived higher levels of mastery and a protective effect in quality of life post-intervention.Strengths and limitationsAs far as we know, this study is the first to examine the user-friendliness and initial effects of an internet intervention specifically designed for non-professional caregivers of depressed patients. As this was a pilot study, the findings should be interpreted with caution. We recommend investigating the possibilities of providing a (partially) sequential design as well as incorporating themes like stigma and expressed emotion in the online course and subsequent evaluation of the internet intervention in a full-scale RCT, with a six-month follow-up.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register: NTR5268. Registered on 30 June 2015.
IntroductionPsychosocial factors predict recovery in patients with spinal pain. Several of these factors are modifiable, such as depression and anxiety. However, primary care physiotherapists who typically manage these patients indicate that they do not feel sufficiently competent and equipped to address these factors optimally. We developed an eHealth intervention with a focus on pain education and behavioural activation to support physiotherapists in managing psychosocial factors in patients with spinal pain. This paper describes the protocol for a pragmatic randomised clinical trial, which evaluates the effectiveness of this eHealth intervention blended with physiotherapy compared with physiotherapy alone.Methods and analysisParticipants with non-specific low back pain and/or neck pain for at least 6 weeks who also have psychosocial risk factors associated with the development or maintenance of persistent pain will be recruited in a pragmatic multicentre cluster randomised clinical trial. The experimental intervention consists of physiotherapy blended with six online modules of pain education and behavioural activation. The control intervention consists of usual care physiotherapy. The primary outcomes are disability (Oswestry Disability Index for low back pain and Neck Disability Index for neck pain) and perceived effect (Global Perceived Effect). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 2, 6 and 12 months after baseline. The results will be analysed using linear mixed models.Ethics and disseminationThe study is approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of VU Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2017.286). Results will be reported in peer-reviewed journals, at national and international conferences, and in diverse media to share the findings with patients, clinicians and the public.Trial registration numberNL 5941; The Netherlands Trial Register.
BackgroundNonprofessional caregivers are highly important in the everyday life of patients with depression. Yet, they may experience increased levels of burden, stress, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, there is a need for interventions that relieve symptoms and are accessible and time-efficient. This paper describes the protocol of a pilot study to evaluate (1) the feasibility of an online self-management intervention, E-care 4 caregivers, for the nonprofessional caregiver of patients with depression, and (2) the initial effects of E-care 4 caregivers on psychological distress, subjective burden, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and quality of life.Methods/designThe study is a randomized controlled trial in which we are comparing the E-care 4 caregivers online intervention with a wait list control group. Eighty-four nonprofessional caregivers of patients with depression aged 18 years or older are being recruited from among the general population. Feasibility is determined by semistructured telephone interviews evaluating the subjects’ satisfaction with the intervention and by using a questionnaire on the user-friendliness of the system. The primary outcome measure used to examine the initial effects of the intervention is psychological distress. Secondary outcome measures are subjective burden, symptoms of anxiety and depression, level of mastery, and quality of life. Assessments will be done at baseline and 6 weeks later. Statistical analysis of the effects of the intervention will be carried out on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle.DiscussionE-care 4 caregivers could potentially benefit nonprofessional caregivers, as well as patients and professionals indirectly.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register identifier: NTR5268. Registered on 30 June 2015.
Omtrent de kenmerken en omstandigheden van suïcides van kinderen en jongeren is in Nederland nog maar weinig bekend. Behalve gegevens van het Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek zijn er vooralsnog nauwelijks gegevens beschikbaar die de problematiek beschrijven. Wij onderzochten lijkschouwdossiers (607) en jeugdgezondheidszorgdossiers (123) op beschikbare informatie over suïcides van kinderen en jongeren tot en met 23 jaar bij 25 Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdiensten en de Forensisch Artsen Rotterdam-Rijnmond over de periode 1996 tot en met 2012. Driekwart van de overledenen betrof jongens, een kwart was van niet-Nederlandse afkomst en meer dan de helft van de jongeren was bekend met voorgaande suïcidaliteit en psychische problematiek. In de beschrijvingen onderscheiden zich drie typen: de sombere, depressieve jongeren; de angstige, onzekere jongeren; en de extraverte boze, agressieve jongeren. Specifieke omstandigheden in de aanloop tot
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