Saxion University of Applied Sciences

About: Saxion University of Applied Sciences is a education organization based out in Enschede, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Context (language use). The organization has 390 authors who have published 653 publications receiving 8859 citations. The organization is also known as: Saxion University of Applied Sciences.

Adherence to a blended smoking cessation treatment

Abstract: Even though the combination of face-to-face and online sessions seems a promising new approach in the field of smoking cessation interventions, important information regarding patients' adherence to such interventions, such as the extent to which the patients adhere, how valid is the measurement of adherence and which factors predict adherence, is lacking, while no clear guidelines on how to assess adherence are available. To address this knowledge gap, two separate measures for the evaluation of adherence to a blended smoking cessation treatment offered by Medisch Spectrum Twente and Tactus Addiction Treatment were created, one minutes-based and one features-based measure. Several analyses were performed for the validation of the two measures. In sum, they both exhibited good construct validity (i.e. good convergent and divergent validity), good content validity (i.e. kappa test showed moderate agreement between the two measures) and quite good criterion validity (i.e. good concurrent validity, as the two measures were highly correlated with each other, but poor predictive validity, as adherence did not significantly predict smoking abstinence as expected). Notably, the features-based measure seemed to show better construct and predictive validity and better diagnostic accuracy than the minutes-based measure. Compared to adherence rates reported in previous face-to-face smoking cessation interventions (i.e. 70% adherence on average), a rather low adherence rate of between 20% (using the features-based measure) and 47.1% (using the minutes-based measure) was found. Notably, most non-adherence occurred in the web-based components of this blended intervention. Some possible reasons for that might include characteristics of the technology means used (e.g. low compatibility), of the treatment itself (e.g. too intensive treatment), of the sample investigated (e.g. lower physical or/and mental health than the general population) or/and of the measures used to assess adherence (e.g. too strict measures). The only common predictors of non-adherence between the two measures were health complaints and health and smoking complaints. Taken together, non-adherence was predicted by a lower physical and mental health status (i.e. more health and smoking complaints, more symptoms of anxiety and stress, worse mental health and decreased quality of life), by some cognitive determinants of smoking cessation (i.e. more negative attitude towards smoking cessation and higher social modelling of smoking) and by some demographic variables (i.e. female gender, lower age and absence of a partner).

Hele-Shaw beach creation by breaking waves

Abstract: Fundamentals of nonlinear wave-particle interactions are studied in a Hele-Shaw conguration with wave breaking and a dynamic bed. To design this configuration, we determine, mathematically, the gap width which allows inertial flows to survive the viscous damping due to the side walls. Damped wave sloshing experiments compared with simulations confirm that width-averaged potential-flow models with linear momentum damping are adequately capturing the large scale nonlinear wave motion. Subsequently, we show that the four types of wave breaking on real-world beaches also emerge on Hele-Shaw laboratory beaches, albeit in idealized forms. Finally, an experimental parameter study is undertaken to quantify the formation of quasi-steady beach morphologies due to nonlinear, breaking waves: berm or dune, beach and sandbar formation are all classied. Our research reveals that the Hele-Shaw beach conguration allows a wealth of experimental and modelling extensions, including benchmarking of forecast models used in the coastal engineering practice.

The planning illusion: Does active planning of a learning route support learning as well as learners think it does?

Abstract: Is actively planning one’s learning route through a learning domain beneficial for learning? Moreover, can learners accurately judge the extent to which planning has been beneficial for them? This study examined the effects of active planning on learning. Participants received a tool in which they created a learning route themselves before accessing learning material and, for comparison, also worked with a tool in which the route was planned automatically. Eighty-three participants participated in learning sessions with both tools over two topics in statistics. Both tools were found to influence the learning process. However, results indicate inconsistency between participants’ judgement of the relative effectiveness of the two types of tools and their actual learning outcomes. Although participants thought they had learned more when they actively created a plan themselves, knowledge tests showed no differences on performance between actively planning a learning route or receiving it ready-made

Process evaluation of the FindMyApps program trial among people with dementia or MCI and their caregivers based on the MRC guidance

Abstract: Background: People with dementia can improve their wellbeing by using touchscreen technology. FindMyApps is a program comprising of a web-based selection-tool and an errorless learning training to help people with dementia and their caregivers find suitable apps which can improve their self-management and engagement in meaningful activities. This process evaluation was conducted as part of an exploratory pilot trial into Find-MyApps and involved a sample of the participants in this trial. Objective: To evaluate which factors might influence the trial outcomes, according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance. Contextual, implementation, and mechanisms of impact factors that may have influenced trial outcomes were evaluated. Method: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews (SSIs) with participants from both trial arms and other stakeholders. The SSI designed for this study comprised closed and open questions, based on the MRC process evaluation guidance. Twenty people with mild dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and their caregivers were recruited in the Netherlands. Exclusion criteria were severe sight problems or moderate to severe dementia. All participants received a tablet computer for three months. Dyads in the experimental group were taught to use the tablet and Find-MyApps tool by the ‘errorless learning’ method, to help them find apps for self-management and meaningful activities. Dyads in the control group received general instruction in tablet use and a list of websites with potentially useful apps. Results: Important themes identified included participants experiencing technical problems and variable quality of training in the use of the FindMyApps selection-tool. Dyads did not use FindMyApps-tool regularly, but frequently used the apps they found through FindMyApps and experienced them as useful and enjoyable. Conclusion: The tablet-based FindMyApps intervention is experienced as user-friendly and useful by people with dementia/MCI and their informal caregivers. Several adaptations to the trial protocol are recommended, to ensure robust outcomes of a definitive effectiveness trial of FindMyApps.