Background: Despite the availability of a wide variety of evidence-based treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), many patients still experience impairments in their lives after remission. Programs are needed that effectively support patients in coping with these impairments. The program Storytelling and Training to Advance Individual Recovery Skills (STAIRS) was developed to address this need and combines the use of peer contact, expert-by-experience guidance, family support and professional blended care. The aim of the planned study is (1) to assess the efficacy of the STAIRS program in patients with remitted MDD, (2) to investigate patients’ subjective experiences with STAIRS, and (3) to evaluate the program’s cost-effectiveness. Methods: A concurrent mixed-methods randomized controlled trial design will be used. Patients aged between 18 and 65 years with remitted MDD (N = 140) will be randomized to either a group receiving care as usual (CAU) + the STAIRS-program or a control group receiving CAU + some basic psychoeducation. Quantitative efficacy data on functional and personal recovery and associated aspects will be collected using self-report questionnaires at the start of the intervention, immediately following the intervention, and at the six-month follow-up. Insights into patients’ experiences on perceived effects and the way in which different program elements contribute to this effect, as well as the usability and acceptability of the program, will be gained by conducting qualitative interviews with patients from the experimental group, who are selected using maximum variation sampling. Finally, data on healthcare resource use, productivity loss and quality of life will be collected and analysed to assess the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of the STAIRS-program. Discussion: Well-designed recovery-oriented programs for patients suffering from MDD are scarce. If efficacy and cost-effectiveness are demonstrated with this study and patients experience the STAIRS program as usable and acceptable, this program can be a valuable addition to CAU. The qualitative interviews may give insights into what works for whom, which can be used to promote implementation. Trial registration: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 1 July 2021, registration number NCT05440812.
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Because major depressive disorder (MDD) has a strong negative impact on patients' lives, well–designed treatment programs are needed that address the lasting effects of MDD. Previous work has shown that such programs should not only focus on symptomatic recovery, but also on the subsequent personal recovery process. Currently, few programs with this specific focus exist. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of a newly developed blended program to support the personal recovery process of MDD patients: Storytelling and Training to Advance Individual Recovery Skills (STAIRS). STAIRS is a program using peer support and guidance by experts by experience and clinicians, which can be added to regular depression treatment when symptomatic recovery is almost reached. Topics addressed in this program are: (1) effects of depression and treatment; (2) structure; (3) (self) stigma; (4) self-image; (5) meaning of life; (6) connection to others; (7) physical health; (8) relaxation; and (9) preventing relapse. Experiences with the STAIRS program were collected from five participating patients with questionnaires and a focus-group interview, as well as from four trainers using semi-structured interviews. Participants valued the topics addressed in STAIRS, the used working methods, the presence of an expert by experience and the ability to share experiences with peers. The use of an online platform and the involvement of others is seen as potentially supportive but turned out to be more challenging. Perceived effects of STAIRS include positive changes in participants' daily lives and their contacts with others. Overall, the results indicate that when implemented accessibly, STAIRS is a promising and feasible program to foster personal recovery among patients recovering from MDD.
Within our research on robotic gas detection, we have focused on making a prototype based on Boston Dynamics SPOT, because it takes a lot of difficulties out of prototyping. For instance, it has its own obstacle avoidance algorithm, good drivers are available for ROS2, and SPOT is meant for outdoor navigation. Being a legged robot means that it can easily traverse curbs, shrubberies, unstable soil and even stairs. For this document, we are going to use the insights that we used when looking for a solution for SPOT.
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Bij de behandeling van depressie ligt in de reguliere GGZ een grote nadruk op symptomatisch herstel. Onderzoek toont echter aan dat symptomatisch herstel niet gelijk op gaat met persoonlijk herstel (herstel van identiteit, dagelijks- en sociaal functioneren). Hierdoor ervaren veel patiënten moeilijkheden bij het weer krijgen van grip op hun leven na een depressie. Om in deze lacune te voorzien is STAIRS ontwikkeld, een nieuw programma dat expliciet gebruik maakt van ervaringsdeskundigheid en (online) oefeningen gericht op het vergroten van de benodigde vaardigheden. Als blijkt dat deze training effectief is kan deze breder beschikbaar gesteld worden.
New biobased and circular products and solutions are invented and optimized all the time. Products that might have the potential to improve the world by preventing pollution and saving natural resources. However many of these promising products do not get a significant place in the market and fail to reach their positive impact. The result is a triple waste: in creativity and innovation, in investment of the companies involved and in opportunities to improve society. In this project Avans Expertise Centrum Sustainable Business (ESB), Avans Centre of Expertise Biobased Economy (CoEBBE) and SMEs Upstairs, Wiltec and NPSP look at the reasons why new sustainable products do not manage to achieve a significant market position and which practical guidelines can be designed to improve the success rate of the introduction of sustainable products and solutions. To realize this, we do not solely look at economic success but we start from the perspective that a successful product is one that truly improves society, rather than predominantly being profitable for a specific company. The focus is on creating multiple value (economic, social and ecological). Based on the theories of meaningful marketing and the adoption of innovations, the project analyses why the introduction of sustainable products and solutions will or will not be likely to succeed and also proposes ways to increase the likelihood of success. The learnings are translated to guidelines a SME should consider before product introduction.
Bij de behandeling van depressie ligt in de reguliere GGZ een grote nadruk op symptomatisch herstel. Onderzoek toont echter aan dat symptomatisch herstel niet gelijk op gaat met persoonlijk herstel (herstel van de indentiteit, dagelijks- en sociaal functioneren). Hierdoor ervaren veel patiënten moeilijkheden bij het weer krijgen van grip op hun leven na een depressie. Om in deze lacune te voorzien wordt STAIRS ontwikkeld, een nieuw programma dat expliciet gebruik maakt van ervaringsdeskundigheid en (online) oefeningen gericht op het vergroten van de benodigde vaardigheden. Dit pilot onderzoek richt zich op de eerste ervaringen met STAIRS ter voorbereiding op een multi center RCT.
