An integrated framework of personalized medicine: from individual genomes to participatory health care

Abstract Promising research developments in both basic and applied sciences, such as genomics and participatory health care approaches, have generated widespread interest in personalized medicine among almost all scientific areas and clinicians. The term personalized medicine is, however, frequently used without defining a clear theoretical and methodological background. In addition, to date most personalized medicine approaches still lack convincing empirical evidence regarding their contribution and advantages in comparison to traditional models. Here, we propose that personalized medicine can only fulfill the promise of optimizing our health care system by an interdisciplinary and translational view that extends beyond traditional diagnostic and classification systems

An integrated framework of personalized medicine: from individual genomes to participatory health care

Abstract Promising research developments in both basic and applied sciences, such as genomics and participatory health care approaches, have generated widespread interest in personalized medicine among almost all scientific areas and clinicians. The term personalized medicine is, however, frequently used without defining a clear theoretical and methodological background. In addition, to date most personalized medicine approaches still lack convincing empirical evidence regarding their contribution and advantages in comparison to traditional models. Here, we propose that personalized medicine can only fulfill the promise of optimizing our health care system by an interdisciplinary and translational view that extends beyond traditional diagnostic and classification systems

Manipulating spatial distance in virtual reality: Effects on treadmill walking performance in patients with intermittent claudication

Research indicates that the manipulation of spatial distance between objects in a previously observed environment may go unnoticed when the categorical information of these objects, such as their order, matches that of memory for the environment. Using a repeated measures design, we investigated whether manipulations of spatial distance in virtual reality (VR) can influence treadmill exercise performance (i.e., walking distance) in patients with intermittent claudication; a cramping pain or discomfort in the legs, which occurs during exercise. Participants (N = 19) carried out four treadmill exercise sessions; one without VR and three with a VR environment to move through while walking. They were instructed to walk until the pain forced them to stop. All VR sessions contained the same environment, but in the second and third session it was ‘stretched’ and ‘compressed’. Walking distance was not influenced by the mere addition of VR. However, both VR manipulations led to greater walking distance than the VR baseline session and participants walked furthest when presented with the stretched environment. The results indicate that the manipulation of spatial distance in VR can be of clinical relevance; a finding that may be applied in the development of future medical applications

Earlier chronotype in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show an earlier circadian rhythm (i.e. serum melatonin peaks earlier during the night, indicating an earlier timing of the internal circadian pacemaker). In the current study, we examined whether the chronotype, which is influenced by the circadian rhythm, is also earlier. In addition, we explored whether chronotype is related to disease activity and patient-reported outcomes. Methods: The chronotype (Munich Chronotype Questionnaire) of patients with RA (n = 121; mean age 60 years, 73% female) was compared with that of subjects from the general population (norm group; n = 1695) with a one-sample t test. In addition, we investigated chronotype in relation to disease activity (Disease Activity Score; DAS), reported morning stiffness, fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength), and health-related quality of life (RAND-36). Results: The chronotype of patients with RA was, on average, 23 min (95% CI, 15 to 31 min) earlier than that of the norm group (t(115) = − 5.901, p 0.05). Conclusion: As expected, chronotype was earlier in RA patients. However, in this correlational study, chronotype was not related to disease activity or patient-reported outcomes. An experimental study is needed to examine whether delaying the circadian rhythm has a positive influence on these outcomes. This insight could improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of RA and contribute to exploring new treatment possibilities.• This is the first study examining chronotype in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and how chronotype relates to disease activity and patient-reported outcomes.• We found an earlier chronotype in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in subjects from the general population.• In this correlational study, chronotype was not related to disease activity or patient-reported outcomes. An experimental study is needed to examine whether delaying the circadian rhythm positively influences these outcomes

Correction to: Earlier chronotype in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: (Clinical Rheumatology, (2021), 40, 6, (2185-2192), 10.1007/s10067-020-05546-x)

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-021-05606-w

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

Abstract 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. By subsequently transparently reporting the executed theory-based steps and their corresponding practice findings, others can learn from these valuable lessons learned. This study outlines the iterative approach by which a multifaceted implementation strategy for a complex eHealth intervention in clinical practice was developed, tested and refined. Methods We implemented the BENEFIT program, an advanced eHealth platform with Personal Health Portal facilitating healthy living in cardiac patients. In six iterative phases alternating between theory and practice, the implementation strategy was developed, tested and refined. The initial implementation strategy (phase 1) was drawn up using the Implementation model and RE-AIM. Subsequently, this strategy was further updated in brainstorming sessions and group discussions with twenty key stakeholders from three cardiac care centres and then evaluated in a pilot (phases 2 and 3). Results The pilot of the program led to the identification of (context-specific) key challenges in practice (phase 4), which were subsequently connected back to broader theory (phase 5) using the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR). In the final phase, practice recommendations tackling the key challenges were formulated (phase 6) based on CFIR theory, the CFIR-ERIC Matching Tool, and stakeholders’ input and feedback. These recommendations were then added to the refined strategy. Thus, executing this approach led to the realisation and use of a multifaceted theory-informed practice-based implementation strategy. Conclusion This case study gives an in-depth description of an iterative approach to developing an evidence-based, practice-tailored strategy for implementing a complex eHealth intervention in cardiac care. As such, this study may serve as a blueprint for other researchers aspiring to implement complex eHealth interventions within clinical practice sustainably

Less stick more carrot? Increasing the uptake of deposit contract financial incentives for physical activity: A randomized controlled trial

Background Financial incentives are a promising tool to help people increase their physical activity, but they are expensive to provide. Deposit contracts are a type of financial incentive in which participants pledge their own money. However, low uptake is a crucial obstacle to the large-scale implementation of deposit contracts. Therefore, we investigated whether (1) matching the deposit 1:1 (doubling what is deposited) and (2) allowing for customizable deposit amounts increased the uptake and short term effectiveness of a deposit contract for physical activity. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 137 healthy students (age M = 21.6 years) downloaded a smartphone app that provided them with a tailored step goal and then randomized them to one of four experimental conditions. The deposit contract required either a €10 fixed deposit or a customizable deposit with any amount between €1 and €20 upfront. Furthermore, the deposit was either not matched or 1:1 matched (doubled) with a reward provided by the experiment. During 20 intervention days, daily feedback on goal progress and incentive earnings was provided by the app. We investigated effects on the uptake (measured as agreeing to participate and paying the deposit) and effectiveness of behavioral adoption (measured as participant days goal achieved). Findings Overall, the uptake of deposit contracts was 83.2%, and participants (n = 113) achieved 14.9 out of 20 daily step goals. A binary logistic regression showed that uptake odds were 4.08 times higher when a deposit was matched (p = .010) compared to when it was not matched. Furthermore, uptake odds were 3.53 times higher when a deposit was customizable (p = .022) compared to when it was fixed. Two-way ANCOVA showed that matching (p = .752) and customization (p = .143) did not impact intervention effectiveness. However, we did find a marginally significant interaction effect of deposit matching X deposit customization (p = .063, ηp2 = 0.032). Customization decreased effectiveness when deposits were not matched (p = .033, ηp2 = 0.089), but had no effect when deposits were matched (p = .776, ηp2 = 0.001). Conclusions We provide the first experimental evidence that both matching and customization increase the uptake of a deposit contract for physical activity. We recommend considering both matching and customization to overcome lack of uptake, with a preference for customization since matching a deposit imposes significant additional costs. However, since we found indications that customizable deposits might reduce effectiveness (when the deposits are not matched), we urge for more research on the effectiveness of customizable deposit contracts. Finally, future research should investigate which participant characteristics are predictive of deposit contract uptake and effectiveness.ISSN:1469-029

Psychodermatology in research and practice:Developments in academic centers in the Netherlands

There is increasing attention for psychosocial problems and quality of life in patients with skin diseases. In this article an overview is given of the current activities with regard to psychosocial care and research in the area of psychodermatology in the academic hospitals in the Netherlands. Results show that in general in all academic centers, attention is paid to the recognition of psychodermatological problems during the consult with the dermatologist and all centers provide possibilities for psychosocial treatment by social workers. In some centers there are more elaborated possibilities for the recognition and care of psychodermatological problems and also research in this area is being carried out. However, since the prevalence and impact of psychodermatological problems is high, the current possibilities for psychosocial treatment and research in the area of psychodermatology are not sufficient. The Dutch Association for Psychodermatology (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Psychodermatologie) aims to improve the knowledge and care with regard to psychodermatology by contributing to the implementation of a standardized screening for psychodermatological problems, by participating in education for health professionals and the realisation of a referral network for psychosocial health professionals with special expertise in the field of psychodermatology.</p