Vera P.M. Schepers, Sanne van der Vossen, Jan Willem Berkelbach van der Sprenkel, Johanna M.A. Visser-Meily, Marcel W.M. Post
Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sports Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, NL-3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail: V.P.M.Schepers-3@umcutrecht.nl
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2382

Objectives: To examine participation restrictions in patients after surgery for cerebral meningioma and to explore possible determinants of participation.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Patients: Patients who had surgery for cerebral meningioma at the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, between 2007 and 2009.
Methods: Clinical data were retrieved from medical files, and patients completed a postal questionnaire. Participation restrictions were measured with the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation.
Results: Of the 194 eligible patients, 76% (n = 136) participated in this study. Mean time after surgery was 32. 6 months (standard deviation 10. 6 months). Overall, patients showed favourable levels of participation. Nevertheless, many patients reported one or more problems of participation. Restrictions were most frequently reported regarding household duties, work or education. Twenty-three patients (32. 9% of those who were in work before the meningioma) were not able to resume their job after surgery. Dissatisfaction was reported particularly regarding sports or other physical exercise. The presence of cognitive or emotional problems, multiple comorbidities and epilepsy were related to more participation problems.
Conclusion: Patients who have had surgery for cerebral meningioma experience participation restrictions. The results of this study can be used to identify patients at risk of developing participation problems and to tailor rehabilitation goals.

Cerebral meningiomas are tumours arising from the meninges, the membranes that envelop the brain. Of all tumours of the central nervous system, meningiomas are the most prevalent, at 36.4%. This study examined the participation restrictions that patients may experience following surgery for cerebral meningioma. A
total of 136 former patients participated in the study and completed a questionnaire about the frequency of parti-cipation in productive, leisure and social activities, experienced participation restrictions and satisfaction with participation. Overall, participants showed favourable
levels of participation. Nevertheless, many reported one or more participation problems. Restrictions were most frequently reported regarding household duties, and work or education. Of those who were in paid work before surgery, one-third were not able to resume their work after surgery. Dissatisfaction was reported particularly regarding sports or other physical exercise. The presence of cognitive or emotional problems, multiple concurring health conditions, and epilepsy were related to more participation problems. The results of this study can be used to identify patients at risk of developing participation problems and to tailor rehabilitation goals.