Fear of falling (FoF) after hip fracture is highly prevalent, and has been associated with diminished functional recovery. A treatment program for FoF after hip fracture was developed, for the... Show moreFear of falling (FoF) after hip fracture is highly prevalent, and has been associated with diminished functional recovery. A treatment program for FoF after hip fracture was developed, for the inpatient geriatric rehabilitation setting (the FIT-HIP intervention, a multi-component cognitive behavioral intervention).The first studies of this thesis evaluated the effects and feasibility of the FIT-HIP intervention. Also, coping strategies used by patients with FoF were explored. The final study in this thesis evaluated the long-term course of FoF after fracture.The FIT-HIP intervention was not effective to reduce FoF and improve functional recovery after hip fracture. The (early) timing of the intervention, and a limited level of FoF may have contributed to the lack of treatment effect. Possibly not all FoF that is present very shortly after hip fracture (<6 weeks) is dysfunctional. However, approximately a quarter of all patients with hip fracture have FoF that persists up to 12 weeks (and often hereafter). This group has high levels of FoF, and may thus be prone to the negative effects of FoF (maladaptive FoF). An appropriate selection of the target group remains a challenge. This thesis provides recommendations for the management of FoF, including suggestions for the selection procedure. Show less
Luenen, S. van; Garnefski, N.; Spinhoven, P.; Kraaij, V. 2022
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effectiveness (3-4 years later) of an online intervention that was previously found to effectively reduce depressive symptoms in people with... Show moreThe aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effectiveness (3-4 years later) of an online intervention that was previously found to effectively reduce depressive symptoms in people with HIV on the short term. Participants were people with HIV who had participated in the large RCT on the short-term effectiveness of the guided online intervention. The primary outcome measure was depressive symptoms [Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)] and the secondary outcome measure was anxiety symptoms [Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) scale]. Forty-seven participants completed the long-term follow-up. PHQ-9 scores, previously found to have been significantly reduced on the short term, remained low on the long term. GAD-2 scores did not decrease significantly on the short term, however, on the long term, a significant decrease was found. The intervention may not only be effective in lowering depressive symptoms on the short term but also retain the results on the long term. Show less
The main aim of this thesis is to examine the effectiveness of innovative psychological interventions on health optimization by (1) evaluating the effectiveness of innovative psychological tools, i... Show moreThe main aim of this thesis is to examine the effectiveness of innovative psychological interventions on health optimization by (1) evaluating the effectiveness of innovative psychological tools, i.e., serious gaming, verbal suggestions, and internet-based interventions, to optimize various health behaviors and psychophysiological outcomes; (2) providing a concise overview of the currently existing evidence of psychological interventions in optimizing immune function in response to in vitro or in vivo immunological as well as psychophysiological challenges; and (3) incorporating various self-reporting, behavioral and psychophysiological outcome measures, but also physical and psychophysiological challenges, including psychophysiological, physical and/or cognitive stressors, to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions on health outcomes. Show less
Worm-Smeitink, M.; Janse, A.; Van Dam, A.; Evers, A.W.M.; Vaart, R. van der; Wensing, M.; Knoop, H. 2019
Background: Substance use and delinquency are considered to be mutual risk factors. Previous studies have shown that multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) is effective in tackling both conditions... Show moreBackground: Substance use and delinquency are considered to be mutual risk factors. Previous studies have shown that multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) is effective in tackling both conditions on the short term. The current study examines the long-term effects of MDFT on criminal offending.Methods: 109 adolescents with cannabis use disorder and comorbid problem behavior were randomly assigned to either MDFT or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Police arrest data were collected for 6 years: 3 years prior to and 3 years after treatment entry. Using survival analysis and repeated measure General Linear Models (rmGLM), the two treatment groups were compared on number of arrests, type of offence, and severity of offence. Moderator analyses looking at age, disruptive behavior disorders, history of crimes, family functioning, and (severe) cannabis use were conducted (rmGLM).Results: While police arrest rates increased in the 3 years before treatment, the rates decreased substantially after the start of both treatments. No differences were found between the treatment groups with respect to either time to first offence from the start of the treatment or changes in frequency or severity of offending over time. A treatment effect trend favoring MDFT was found for property offending in the subgroup of adolescents with high baseline-severity of cannabis use.Conclusions: Across a follow-up period of 3 years, MDFT and CBT were similarly effective in reducing delinquency in adolescents with a cannabis use disorder. Show less
Previous research has provided evidence for the link between psychological processes and psychophysiological health outcomes. Psychological interventions, such as face-to-face or online cognitive... Show morePrevious research has provided evidence for the link between psychological processes and psychophysiological health outcomes. Psychological interventions, such as face-to-face or online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and serious games aimed at improving health, have shown promising results in promoting health outcomes. Few studies so far, however, have examined whether Internet-based CBT combined with serious gaming elements is effective in modulating health outcomes. Moreover, studies often did not incorporate psychophysiological or immunological challenges in order to gain insight into physiological responses to real-life challenges after psychological interventions. The overall aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a psychological intervention on self-reported and physiological health outcomes in response to immune and psychophysiological challenges. Show less
Luenen, S. van; Kraaij, V.; Spinhoven, P.; Garnefski, N. 2016
