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Most children develop without major problems. Unfortunately, sometimes development is hampered by complications, such as congenital or acquired lesions of the brain or the musculoskeletal system.

Then, development is not self-evident as it is for most children. As health care professionals, we are eager to help those children and their families with interventions. However, for many interventions it is not yet known what really works. Therefore, we want to investigate and implement evidence based interventions to optimize childhood development in pediatric rehabilitation, aiming at optimal participation and quality of life. Our main fields of research interest are:

  • Early intervention: to  prevent complications in the long-term, to promote healthy ageing.
  • Surveillance: an adequate follow-up system for children in pediatric rehabilitation provides insight in underlying risk factors,  course and  effective intervention.
  • Participation & quality of life: by providing evidence based interventions, we want to optimize participation and quality of life of children and their families. 
Relevance

How our research benefits to society

Our goal is to investigate, improve and implement  interventions in pediatric rehabilitation, aiming at optimal participation and quality of life of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.

    • “Born to get there”: an international project to implement evidence based guidelines for early detection, surveillance and intervention for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy.
    • Developmental coordination disorder (DCD): an investigation of risk factors and development.
    • Seating devices for children with dystonia: investigate current experiences with seating devices, develop improvements and optimize participation.
    • CP-register: a Dutch register to improve health care for children with Cerebral Palsy.
    • Let’s Ride: a Dutch project to implement wheelchair skills for children.

    • Drs. J. F. van Hoorn (MD, PhD student, Researcher)
    • Dr. T. Hielkea (MD, PhD student, Researcher)

Contact

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
PO Box 30.001
9700 RB Groningen
The Netherlands

Visiting address
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Hanzeplein 1
9713 GZ Groningen

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) - location Beatrixoord
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Dilgtweg 5
9751 ND Haren