In recent years, care for people with severe mental illnesses (SMI) has shifted from institutional to recovery-based treatment in which informal caregivers often have an important role. However, their increased involvement has elevated issues such as role strain or burden of care, which indicates that …

Academisch Proefschrift, ter verkrijging van de graad Doctor aan de Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, op gezag van de rector magnificus prof. dr. J.J.G. Geurts, volgens besluit van de decaan van de Faculteit der Bètawetenschappen in het openbaar te verdedigen op donderdag 19 februari 2026 om 11.45 uur in …

Although first-time parents have a great need for effective support in the first challenging years of child upbringing, there is little research on volunteer-led parenting support programs in the context of the transition to parenthood. Therefore, this qualitative study examined the perceived value and …

BACKGROUND: Following a severe burn injury, individuals embark on a lifelong process of managing and integrating the physical, psychological, and social consequences, including functional limitations, fatigue, altered body image, and psychological trauma. To aid in this process, healthcare professionals …

Background Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) and adequate dietary protein are crucial for preventing and managing sarcopenia and frailty in older adults. To date, the optimal intensity of PRT and the added value of dietary protein for enhancing muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in frail …

Samenvatting Behandelbeslissingen voor oudere oncologie patiënten zijn vaak complex. Dit komt door de grote variatie in achtergrond, comorbiditeiten, functionele capaciteiten en de impact van kankerbehandelingen op zowel de levenskwaliteit als de levensverwachting. In deze context is samen beslissen, …

Background & aim Adequate protein intake is essential during recovery from illness to prevent complications such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, and delayed wound healing. Mobile applications may support self-monitoring and early detection of inadequate intake. This study evaluated the concurrent validity …

AI-driven lifestyle monitoring systems collect data from ambient, motion, contact, light, and physiological sensors placed in the home, enabling AI algorithms to identify daily routines and detect deviations to support older adults "aging in place." Despite its potential to support several challenges …

Background Home-visiting programs often aim to improve parenting skills, parent-child relationships, and children’s developmental outcomes for at-risk families. Although research has identified what elements of these interventions are effective when provided by professionals, little is known about effective …

Purpose The Optimal Physical Recovery After Hospitalization (OPRAH) Intervention is a blended intervention, combining a smartphone app for self-monitoring of physical activity and protein intake with coaching from a physiotherapist and dietician, to enhance the functional recovery after gastro-intestinal …