Vrije Universiteit Brussel

This study tests a new approach called GHOSTLY+ to help older adults (65+) maintain muscle strength while hospitalized. The system combines light leg exercises with a blood flow restriction cuff and a tablet game that responds to muscle activity. 120 patients across three hospita…

This trial tests whether adding a behavioral weight reduction program to standard rehabilitation—which includes pain education and targeted exercise—can better ease chronic low back pain in overweight or obese adults. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the combi…

This study tests a personalized, non-drug method called CoMBI to reduce troubling behaviors like agitation and anxiety in people with dementia living in nursing homes. Researchers will compare CoMBI to usual care in 60 participants to see if it improves quality of life and reduce…

This study tests whether adding a behavioral weight reduction program (diet, exercise, and behavior changes) to standard pain education and exercise therapy can reduce chronic low back pain in overweight or obese adults. Researchers will compare the combined approach against pain…

This trial tests whether a stepped-care approach to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) can help people with chronic spinal pain. Participants receive online lessons and therapist talks over 10 weeks, with the goal of improving sleep and potentially reducing pain. Th…

This pilot study tests a new perinatal palliative care program for parents who receive a life-limiting diagnosis for their unborn or newborn baby. The program includes a dedicated care team, specialized training, and structured support. Researchers will enroll 20 parents and thei…

This study looks at children aged 6 to 12 who finished cancer treatment, comparing them with healthy peers of the same age and sex. Researchers ask about pain and sleep habits, then track sleep for two weeks using a wrist monitor and a daily diary. The goal is to see if pain and …

This study aims to collect walking data from 150 healthy adults using both wearable sensors and a high-precision motion capture system. The goal is to create a high-quality dataset that can help train computer algorithms to detect walking events more accurately from wearable devi…

This study aims to see if wearable sensors can detect mental fatigue in real time and predict how it affects running performance. Researchers will recruit 30 healthy, trained runners aged 18-35. Participants will complete a mentally tiring task or watch a documentary, then run a …

This study asks 30 rehabilitation and game-design experts for their advice on how to create serious games that help people recover from injuries or illnesses. The goal is to build a clear guide that makes these games both fun and effective for therapy. No patients are involved; o…

This study follows 100 stroke survivors over six months to understand how sitting balance, standing balance, and walking recover. Using wearable sensors and an interactive assessment game, researchers measure movement, coordination, and reaction time. The goal is to identify reco…

This study looks at why exercise often makes pain and fatigue worse for people with chronic widespread pain or fibromyalgia. Researchers will test if applying a mild electrical current to the brain (tDCS) during exercise can change how pain-related genes work. 120 participants (6…

This study looks at how chronic sleep problems and pain sensitivity are connected in people with long-term low back pain and insomnia. Researchers will use brain imaging, pain tests, and blood/stool samples in 80 adults to understand the underlying brain mechanisms. The goal is t…

This study looks at whether using a CPAP machine for obstructive sleep apnea can also help people with chronic pain. Researchers will follow 80 adults newly diagnosed with sleep apnea who are starting CPAP therapy. Participants will fill out pain and sleep questionnaires at the s…