Biomedical subjects

Dick Willems

Publications and source records attributed to Dick Willems.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

On the relative role of inhibition in age-related working memory decline.

In this cross-sectional study, the mediating role of inhibition relative to speed in age-related working memory decline on different tasks was investigated. It was hypothesized that the role of inhibition is marginal or absent in a relatively "passive" or simple working memory task, but present in a relatively "active" or complex task in which the processing, rather than the storage capacity of working memory, is addressed. This hypothesis was tested with a structural equation model that was fitted on a subsample (N = 213) of the Maastricht Aging Study (MAAS). The first trial of the Verbal Learning Test (VLT) served as the passive test and the Self-Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (SPASAT) as the active test. Results showed that the role of inhibition was absent in predicting VLT performance, whereas it was comparable to the role of speed in predicting SPASAT performance. These findings suggest a relative, task-dependent role of inhibition in explaining age-related memory decline.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Communication with patients during the prenatal testing procedure: an explorative qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: While generally two phases of prenatal genetic counseling are distinguished, i.e. pre- and post-test counseling, we revealed a third form of communication during the testing procedure. The content of this intermediate communication was explored. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on data obtained in another observational study, which was focussed on how indefinite testing results are clarified. Thirteen testing trajectories in which communication with parents took place during the testing procedure were further analysed. RESULTS: In the majority of cases the content of intermediate communication was similar to the content of pre-test counseling. In four cases the content was different, because the communication involved the parents in decision-making about a testing result, which was still being processed. CONCLUSION: Communication in (prenatal) genetic testing is not always restricted to separate phases, but can be an ongoing process occurring parallel to, and sometimes even intertwined with, the testing process. The advocated model of shared decision-making might work better once it is determined if the decision concerns the area wherein the provider is the expert, or the patient. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Further research into the process of continuing decision-making could clarify how providers' and patients' responsibilities regarding the diagnostic process are distributed. Meanwhile, the possible occurrence of continuous decision-making should be mentioned in (prenatal) genetic counseling.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2006

Do subjective memory complaints predict cognitive dysfunction over time? A six-year follow-up of the Maastricht Aging Study.

BACKGROUND: Middle-aged and older people often worry that their perceived diminishing memory function may indicate incipient dementia. OBJECTIVES: The present study addresses questions regarding subjective memory complaints as a predictor of lower performance on cognitive tasks. Also, in participants with subjective memory complaints it was investigated, whether trying to keep mentally active improved memory function. Characteristics of the participants who were and were not interested in an intervention to decrease worries and to improve memory in daily life were determined. METHODS: Data were obtained from a large longitudinal study: the Maastricht Aging Study, involving 557 participants aged 55 to 85 years. Follow-up measurement was performed after 6 years. Outcome variables were simple, complex and general information processing speed and immediate and delayed recall. RESULTS: At baseline, forgetfulness was associated with a slower general information processing and delayed recall. At the six-year follow-up, being forgetful was not associated with a significant change in cognitive performance. Taking steps to remain cognitively active was not a predictor of better performance on cognitive tasks at baseline or at the six-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Being forgetful might be an indicator of slower general information processing speed and delayed recall at baseline but does not predict cognitive change over 6 years in older adults. However, the effects are rather small and cannot directly be generalized to applications in clinical settings. Other factors, such as depression and anxiety might also underlie the cause of the forgetfulness.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

A qualitative validation of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: In an overview of quality-of-life questionnaires that have been used to measure treatment effects in clinical trials in congestive heart failure (CHF), it was concluded that 'no QoL instrument has measured quality of life in CHF trials in a reliable or reproducible fashion' and that the usefulness of these instruments in clinical trials was hampered by a lack of sensitivity to changes in health status. AIM: The aim of our study was to qualitatively explore issues of validity, specificity, and sensitivity with regard to the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) questionnaire in patients with severe heart failure. METHODS: We included 31 patients with severe heart failure in a 2-year prospective longitudinal case study. Each patient was interviewed two or three times in a semi-structured way, resulting in a total of 76 interviews. We used simple qualitative techniques such as respondent observation and respondent debriefing to collect data on practical and interpretative problems that patients experience in conducting the task of completing the questionnaire. RESULTS: The introduction to the questionnaire, which contains essential instructions, was almost never read. Patients did not interpret items as intended. Some items posed problems to respondents because of their wording or because they were considered not applicable to the respondents' circumstances. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the MLHF does not measure the concept that it is intended to measure, but our study does not provide a remedy. However, problems regarding individual items and response categories can be remedied.

Heart Failure↗