Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Researchers are testing whether adjusting intravenous diuretic doses based on sodium levels in urine helps clear excess fluid more effectively than standard care in people hospitalized with acute heart failure. The trial enrolls adults with fluid overload and compares a strategy …

This trial tests whether combining two different types of artificial lenses during cataract surgery improves vision compared to using the same lens in both eyes. Half of the 50 participants will receive a standard monofocal lens in both eyes, while the other half will get a monof…

This study looked at whether schema therapy, a type of talk therapy, can help people with personality disorders who are in outpatient forensic care. Five participants received therapy for up to two years. Researchers measured changes in their thinking patterns, risk of re-offendi…

This study tested whether a numbing gel (lidocaine) works as well as a needle injection for pain relief during pterygium surgery. 41 adults having pterygium removal took part. The goal was to see if the gel causes less pain and eye dryness after surgery.

This study investigates whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive technique that applies a mild electrical current to the scalp, can enhance implicit motor sequence learning—the ability to learn movement patterns without conscious effort—in people wit…

This study tested whether a gel (LAT gel) applied to cuts can numb them as well as the standard numbing shots (lidocaine) before getting stitches. 70 adults with simple cuts in the emergency department took part. The goal was to see if the gel causes less pain during application …

This study tested whether the Ghostly app, which guides patients through strength exercises, could help hospitalized people with stroke, COVID-19, frailty, or muscle weakness. Fifteen participants used the app during their hospital stay. The goal was to see if it was practical an…

This study surveys 500 adolescents in Dutch-speaking secondary schools in Brussels to see how well they recognize emotional neglect and whether that affects their willingness to seek help. Participants read one of four short stories about a teen experiencing neglect, then answer …

Researchers are working with children aged 8 to 12 who have finished cancer treatment, along with their parents and clinicians, to design a pain science education program. The goal is to help these children understand and cope with pain after cancer. The team uses a co-creation a…

Researchers compare children with cancer and healthy children to see how pain sensitivity, body composition, and physical activity differ. The study also looks at how parents respond to their child's pain. About 60 children aged 8 to 18 and their parents take part. The goal is to…

This completed study surveyed over 4,200 youth care professionals in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands to measure their levels of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. Participants completed an anonymous online survey about their work experiences an…

This completed study tested a new way to measure physical fatigue in 40 people — stroke survivors and older adults with muscle loss. Participants performed everyday tasks like walking stairs and crouching while researchers tracked their perceived effort, heart rate, and muscle ac…

This study looked at how stress changes gene activity in women with chronic widespread pain (fibromyalgia). Researchers compared 84 women with and without the condition, using mental stress tests and relaxation breathing. They measured changes in DNA methylation, a process that c…