Outcomes of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases have significantly improved over the last three decades, mainly due to therapeutic innovations, more timely treatment, and a recognition of... Show moreOutcomes of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases have significantly improved over the last three decades, mainly due to therapeutic innovations, more timely treatment, and a recognition of the need to monitor response to treatment and to titrate treatments accordingly. Diagnostic delay remains a major challenge for all stakeholders. The combination of electronic health (eHealth) and serologic and genetic markers holds great promise to improve the current management of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases by speeding up access to appropriate care. The Joint Pain Assessment Scoring Tool (JPAST) project, funded by the European Union (EU) European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health program, is a unique European project aiming to enable and accelerate personalized precision medicine for early treatment in rheumatology, ultimately also enabling prevention. The aim of the project is to facilitate these goals while at the same time, reducing cost for society and patients. Show less
Jongen, P.J.; Veen, G. ter; Lemmens, W.; Donders, R.; Noort, E. van; Zeinstra, E. 2020
Background: Empowerment helps persons with a chronic disease to self-manage their condition and increase their autonomy and participation. MSmonitor (Curavista by) is an interactive Web-based... Show moreBackground: Empowerment helps persons with a chronic disease to self-manage their condition and increase their autonomy and participation. MSmonitor (Curavista by) is an interactive Web-based program for self-management and multidisciplinary care in multiple sclerosis (MS). It includes, among others, short questionnaires on fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-5 [MFIS-5]) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL, Leeds Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life [LMSQoL]); long questionnaires on disabilities, perception of disabilities (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Profile), and HRQoL (Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54); a Medication and Adherence Inventory and an Activity Diary. The combination MFIS-5, LMSQoL, and Medication and Adherence Inventory constitutes the Quick Scan.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of MSmonitor on empowerment in patients with MS.Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study in a general hospital. Of the 180 patients with MS, 125 were eligible, 30 used MSmonitor, and 21 participated in the study (mean age 45.4 years, SD 10.2 years). A total of 24 eligible patients who did not use MSmonitor constituted the control group (mean age 49.3 years, SD 11.4 years). At baseline and at 4 months, we assessed self-efficacy (Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale [MSSES]), participation and autonomy (Impact on Participation and Autonomy [IPA] questionnaire), and self-management (Partners In Health [PIH] questionnaire) Differences between time points and groups were tested with paired t tests and chi(2) tests.Results: In the MSmonitor group, follow-up values remained unchanged for MSSES control (P=.19), MSSES function (P=.62), IPA limitations (P=.26), IPA problems (P=.40), NH recognition and management of symptoms (P=.52), PIH adherence to treatment (P=.80), and PIH coping (P=.73), whereas the PIH knowledge score had improved (mean 27.8, SD 1.7 vs mean 28.7, SD 2.0; P=.02). The overall utilization rate of the program components was 83% and that of the Quick Scan was 95%. In the control group, all outcomes had remained unchanged.Conclusions: The results suggest that for first-time users of the MSmonitor program and their health care providers, it may not be justified to expect a short-term improvement in empowerment in terms of self-efficacy, self-management, autonomy, or participation. Furthermore, a lack of effect on empowerment is not because of nonusage of the program components. Show less
Aardoom, J.J.; Loheide-Niesmann, L.; Ossebaard, H.C.; Riper, H. 2020
Background: Poor adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment by adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common issue. Strategies delivered by means of information and... Show moreBackground: Poor adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment by adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common issue. Strategies delivered by means of information and communication technologies (ie, eHealth) can address treatment adherence through patient education, real-time monitoring of apnea symptoms and CPAP adherence in daily life, self-management, and early identification and subsequent intervention when device or treatment problems arise. However, the effectiveness of available eHealth technologies in improving CPAP adherence has not yet been systematically studied. Objective: This meta-analytic review was designed to investigate the effectiveness of a broad range of eHealth interventions in improving CPAP treatment adherence.Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of the databases of Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Embase to identify relevant randomized controlled trials in adult OSA populations. The risk of bias in included studies was examined using seven items of the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool. The meta-analysis was conducted with comprehensive meta-analysis software that computed differences in mean postintervention adherence (MD), which was defined as the average number of nightly hours of CPAP use.Results: The meta-analysis ultimately included 18 studies (N=5429 adults with OSA) comprising 22 comparisons between experimental and control conditions. Postintervention data were assessed at 1 to 6 months after baseline, depending on the length of the experimental intervention. eHealth interventions increased the average nightly use of CPAP in hours as compared with care as usual (MD=0.54, 95% CI 0.29-0.79). Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant differences in effects between studies that used eHealth as an add-on or as a replacement to care as usual (P=.95), between studies that assessed stand-alone eHealth and blended strategies combining eHealth with face-to-face care (P=.23), or between studies of fully automated interventions and guided eHealth interventions (P=.83). Evidence for the long-term follow-up effectiveness of eHealth adherence interventions remains undecided owing to a scarcity of available studies and their mixed results.Conclusions: eHealth interventions for adults with OSA can improve adherence to CPAP in the initial months after the start of treatment, increasing the mean nightly duration of use by about half an hour. Uncertainty still exists regarding the timing, duration, intensity, and specific types of eHealth interventions that could be most effectively implemented by health care providers. Show less
Rauwerdink, A.; Kasteleyn, M.J.; Haafkens, J.A.; Chavannes, N.H.; Schijven, M.P.; Venema-Taat, N.; ... ; Citrien Fund Program eHlth 2020
This thesis focused on the evaluation of an eHealth intervention for cognitive stroke rehabilitation and the perspectives of different stakeholders on the uptake of eRehabilitation in general. The... Show moreThis thesis focused on the evaluation of an eHealth intervention for cognitive stroke rehabilitation and the perspectives of different stakeholders on the uptake of eRehabilitation in general. The studies included in this thesis showed that there was no overall effect of an online brain training programme on cognitive functioning of patients with stroke. Only performances on cognitive function tests that were similar to the games included in the intervention improved, no near transfer effect was found. Moreover, usage of the training was suboptimal and not all of the patients were able to complete it. It would appear important to support stroke patients with CBCR training, since training is not well used by all patients. However, regarding patients’ ICT readiness, wishes and requirements it was also found that a relatively large amount of patients in rehabilitation wish to incorporate ICT in their rehabilitation treatment. In addition, developing tailored implementation strategies to implement eHealth in the bachelor curriculum of health professionals, based on the identified barriers and facilitators in this thesis is highly relevant to make sure that future health professionals are able to work with eHealth. Show less
Worm-Smeitink, M.; Dam, A. van; Es, S. van; Vaart, R. van der; Evers, A.W.M.; Wensing, M.; Knoop, H. 2019
This dissertation contains the results of an RCT into the effectiveness of an online self-help intervention for people living with HIV (PLWH) and depressive symptoms. Many PLWH suffer from... Show moreThis dissertation contains the results of an RCT into the effectiveness of an online self-help intervention for people living with HIV (PLWH) and depressive symptoms. Many PLWH suffer from depressive symptoms. Online interventions to treat depression may have benefits, such as less perceived stigma, a large reach and high accessibility. The online self-help intervention that we investigated is based on cognitive behavioral therapy and contains 4 components: stimulating activities, relaxation exercises, changing negative thoughts and goal attainment. Two meta-analyses were conducted and the results point to the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for PLWH to improve depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, quality of life, psychological well-being, and medication adherence. The most important result of the RCT was that the intervention together with telephone coaching is effective in reducing depressive symptoms, compared to an attention-only control group. It was also found that the intervention may be effective for all PLWH, regardless of certain baseline characteristics. Furthermore, behavioral activation and goal reengagement were found to be mediators of the intervention effect. Also, the intervention is likely to be cost-effective compared to attention only. As eHealth interventions have benefits compared to face-to-face interventions, they should be more widely implemented in the mental healthcare for PLWH. Show less
Kuipers, E.; Poot, C.C.; Wensing, M.; Chavannes, N.H.; Smet, P.A.G.M. de; Teichert, M. 2019
We conclude that eHealth-supported self-management integrated into usual care can help patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Oral Anticoagulation Therapy to manage their... Show moreWe conclude that eHealth-supported self-management integrated into usual care can help patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Oral Anticoagulation Therapy to manage their disease. We assume that blended care with total integration of eHealth and usual care will provide better quality of care in the long term. Professional training of healthcare professionals on the care program including self-management supported by eHealth and personal assistance for the patients to guide them through the platform are essential elements to stimulate the use of eHealth. With appropriate training through e-learning or group training, self-management seems safe and reliable for a selected proportion of motivated patients. Even though eHealth-supported self-management was not superior to usual care regarding health status, the studies produced no negative effects, suggesting that eHealth is a safe option for delivery of self-management support and high-quality disease management. The usage of eHealth platforms is better under conditions of perfect integration into usual care and with personal assistance and the coaching of patients. The usage is highest for patients with platforms that add high practical value in daily life. Show less
Background: Worldwide nearly 3 million people die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) every year. Integrated disease management (IDM) improves quality of life for COPD patients and... Show moreBackground: Worldwide nearly 3 million people die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) every year. Integrated disease management (IDM) improves quality of life for COPD patients and can reduce hospitalization. Self-management of COPD through eHealth is an effective method to improve IDM and clinical outcomes.Objectives: The objective of this implementation study was to investigate the effect of 3 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease eHealth programs applied in primary care on health status. The e-Vita COPD study compares different levels of integration of Web-based self-management platforms in IDM in 3 primary care settings. Patient health status is examined using the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ).Methods: The parallel cohort design includes 3 levels of integration in IDM (groups 1, 2, 3) and randomization of 2 levels of personal assistance for patients (group A, high assistance, group B, low assistance). Interrupted time series (ITS) design was used to collect CCQ data at multiple time points before and after intervention, and multilevel linear regression modeling was used to analyze CCQ data.Results: Of the 702 invited patients, 215 (30.6%) registered to a platform. Of these, 82 participated in group 1 (high integration IDM), 36 in group 1A (high assistance), and 46 in group 1B (low assistance); 96 participated in group 2 (medium integration IDM), 44 in group 2A (high assistance) and 52 in group 2B (low assistance); also, 37 participated in group 3 (no integration IDM). In the total group, no significant difference was found in change in CCQ trend (P=.334) before (-0.47% per month) and after the intervention (-0.084% per month). Also, no significant difference was found in CCQ changes before versus after the intervention between the groups with high versus low personal assistance. In all subgroups, there was no significant change in the CCQ trend before and after the intervention (group 1A, P=.237; 1B, P=.991; 2A, P=.120; 2B, P=.166; 3, P=.945).Conclusions: The e-Vita eHealth-supported COPD programs had no beneficial impact on the health status of COPD patients. Also, no differences were found between the patient groups receiving different levels of personal assistance. Show less
