Research Steven Truijen

Abstract

In this project we focus on preventive measures for dockers under physical load. We aim to achieve maximal support through recommendations for new products and training, in collaboration with physiotherapy.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verwulgen Stijn
• Co-promoter: Truijen Steven

Research team(s)

• Product development01/10/2019 - 31/12/2023

Funding

• PRIVE - profit

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Animal models suggest a limited time window of increased repair activity in the brain during the first weeks after damage, for example after a stroke. Within this time window, responsiveness to therapy is increased suggesting that this is the optimal time to start intensive rehabilitation. In great contrast, early rehabilitation is experienced by stroke patients as a time of being physical inactive. This lack of rehabilitation might explain rather disappointing mobility outcome, since a great amount of stroke survivors struggle to achieve independent community ambulation. The World Health Organisation expects an increase to 1.5 million new cases of stroke per year in 2025. If innovation in rehabilitation cannot be provided, the increasing incidence of stroke will inevitably lead to a growing chronic stroke population and a great burden for our society. A novel therapeutic strategy is a wearable exoskeleton. This device allows an earlier initiation of more intensive rehabilitation as it assists patients in walking even if they are severely affected. This technology has the potential to change acute stroke rehabilitation from an inactive into a motivating, active time as it allows early training of meaningful activity. However, due to its recent development this type of therapy is not yet investigated. We aim to fill this gap with the proposed project by investigating the effectiveness of this approach and provide evidence on an optimal time window for rehabilitation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Saeys Wim
• Co-promoter: Yperzeele Laetitia
• Fellow: Schröder Jonas

Research team(s)

• Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)01/01/2019 - 09/02/2023

Funding

• FWO

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

At the university of Antwerp, innovative products/services are defined based on state of the art scientific knowledge and technology. The aim of this project is to develop a workflow to facilitate and accelerate transition from these innovations in the domain of health and health care, to actual enrollment.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verwulgen Stijn
• Co-promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Vaes Kristof

Research team(s)

• Product development01/01/2019 - 31/12/2019

Funding

• PROV/STAD

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Animal models have shown that motor training is effective only if initiated early after stroke. This activity-induced recovery pattern temporally matches increased gene expression important for neuronal growth and plasticity in the post-stroke brain. It seems that the brain after damage induces a window of enhanced neuroplasticity during which greatest rehabilitation gains can be achieved. In human stroke care, earlier rehabilitation is associated with improved outcome, however it remains unknown whether a similar time window exists and how to take advantage in clinical practice. In the current research project, gait training will be initiated at a very early stage using a mobile, wearable exoskeleton allowing even acute patients to walk over-ground. A comparison of clinical outcome with a group receiving the same intervention at a later stage will allow to investigate on the factor timing. Moreover, an association between functional improvement and outcomes on neuro-motor recovery (neuro-imaging, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, biomechanical gait analysis) will be investigated. This will enlighten our understanding on when an intervention should be provided in order to affect the proportions of plastic re-organization. Further research on larger populations with a longer follow-up is needed to confirm preliminary results and finally implement these insights into therapeutic strategies and clinical practice. This approach can lead to substantial changes in how rehabilitative treatment is provided to neurological patients.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Saeys Wim

Research team(s)

• Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)01/07/2018 - 31/12/2019

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Animal models suggest a limited time window of increased repair activity in the brain during the first weeks after damage, for example after a stroke. Within this time window, training responsiveness is increased suggesting that this is the optimal time to start intensive rehabilitation, e.g. gait training. Disappointingly, early stroke care is characterized by physical inactivity. This lack of intensive therapy probably explains rather disappointing mobility outcome, since half of stroke survivors leave rehabilitation facilities in a wheelchair. The World Health Organisation expects 1.5 million new cases of stroke per year in 2025. If innovation in stroke rehabilitation lacks, the increasing burden of stroke will inevitably lead to a growing disabled and dependent chronic stroke population. A novel therapeutic strategy are wearable exoskeletons. This device allows an earlier and more intensive rehabilitation approach as it assists in weightbearing and walking. This technology has the potential to change acute stroke rehabilitation from a passive into a motivating, active time as it allows early training in an enriched learning environment. However, due to its recent development this type of therapy is not yet investigated. We aim to fill this gap with the proposed project by delivering published evidence on feasibility and effectiveness.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Parizel Paul
• Co-promoter: Saeys Wim
• Fellow: Schröder Jonas

Research team(s)

• Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)01/01/2018 - 31/12/2018

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Subacromial pain syndrome is the most common cause of shoulder pain, accounting for 50% of all shoulder pain cases. Scapular dyskinesis has shown to be a key factor associated with many shoulder disorders, such as the subacromial pain syndrome and glenohumeral shoulder instability. Two Master students product development have created (and privately defended) a basic prototype of an orthopaedic device that is aimed at correcting the scapular position. The current project proposal is aimed at bringing this product to the market. First, the prototype will be further developed and adapted with confirmation of its efficacy, i.e. the apparatus can indeed correct scapular position. Second, this improved prototype will be used within a smallscale clinical study to demonstrate that the apparatus can reduce pain in patients with subacromial pain syndrome. At the same time, a trajectory of valorization will be developed to investigate the possibilities of bringing the product to the market.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Struyf Filip
• Co-promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Verwulgen Stijn

Research team(s)

• Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)01/09/2017 - 01/03/2019

Funding

• IOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The loss of an upper limb dramatically affects a person's daily activities. Recent developments in bionics and prostheses make it possible to compensate this loss of functionality with a bionic robotic hand. These bionic hands are commercially available and can enable a person to perform multiple types of hand movements. Controlling a bionic hand is in most cases based on the interpretation of two surface electromyography (EMG) signals. To control the multiple degrees of freedom (DOF) of a robotic hand with only two EMG signals, a sequential control strategy is used. This sequential control strategy requires a lot of training from the user. Currently different strategies are being developed to enable a user friendly and more efficient type of control. Most developments in the field of upper extremity prostheses are aimed at adults with a single arm reduction. Children with a double arm reduction are often unable to use the available prostheses and those that are available don't provide a solution for their specific needs. This project aims to integrate the most recent developments in prosthesis control and bionic robotics and make them available for children with a double arm reduction. The research is unique and novel because it aspires to develop and verify the use of non-invasive control strategies that enable children with a double or single arm reduction to control prostheses (with multiple DOF) outside of lab conditions. This project is primarily focused on one user. Larrissa (anonymous name) is an 8-year-old Belgium girl that misses both hands and feet. At the age of 1,5 she lost both hands and feet due to illness. Because her current prosthesis (and all other prosthesis) isn't suited for a bilateral amputee and offers little functionality she remains highly dependent on the help of others. The development was initiated in 2015 by Jos d'Haens (BAP physiotherapy, MOVANT) and was complemented with the master thesis of Erik Haring. This collaborative project between the department of Product Development and Rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences resulted in a first prototype of a prosthetic socket, designed for Larissa. Jos d'Haens developed a miniaturised robotic hand that can perform three primary grip types. The compact dimensions make this bionic hand especially suitable for children. The prototype of the prosthetic socket (physical connection with the wearer) was the tangible output of the master thesis of Erik Haring. This project aims to provide the missing link, a user-friendly and intuitive control system that translates human input into desired movements of the robotic hand. We defined two clusters of research questions within the project 1. Human input: Which signals can be captured within the stump of the child? Are these signals suitable to serve as input for an intuitive control strategy for the prosthesis? 2. Control strategy: How can we transform these signals into a user-friendly control strategy? 2.1 Focus on movements: Developing a prosthesis control strategy that enables the child to perform at least the three primary grip patterns: power grip, precision grip and lateral grip. With these three grips users can perform 80% of the most common daily activities. 2.2 Focus on intuitive use and user-friendliness: With the actual feedback of the child we aim for a control system that can activate at least three grip patterns in a user-friendly and intuitive way. Apart from a functional fit, we will gather user feedback on the social acceptance of the movements and look of the prosthesis. We hope to apply and expand the knowledge and insights obtained from this study to other projects for young amputees. The methodology could serve as a basis for the development and design of similar intuitive and child friendly control strategies for prosthesis and assistive devices.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vaes Kristof
• Co-promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Verwulgen Stijn

Research team(s)

• Product development01/07/2017 - 31/12/2018

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Truijen Steven

Research team(s)

• Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)01/01/2017 - 31/12/2022

Funding

• BOF
• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is a barrier between our body and the environment protecting us from dehydration, infection and injuries. The skin thus provides us with a sense of touch which has several functions such as 1) providing tactile information about our environment and 2) providing input to enable motor interactions with our direct environment e.g. grasping and manipulating objects. Due to the bimodal functionality of the tactile sense, the skin is particularly interesting for communicating motion related instructions through haptic cues directly engaging our motor learning systems. Opportunities for applications have been identified in sports and training, surgery, music, navigation, prosthesis, to develop assistive devices e.g. navigation aid for the visually impaired and for balance correction in vestibular disorders, to attain correct posture, gait, and for the purpose of rehabilitation e.g. after stroke. However, research is mainly confined to in-lab applications. In order to unlock the realm of opportunities for off-site applications, wearable haptic communication systems for posture and movement management should be developed and evaluated. Thereby vibrotactile signals directly deployed onto the skin are identified most promising for wearable systems. Frequency, intensity/amplitude, burst, and rhythm characteristics for optimal perception at various body locations are known in literature. We will investigate the accuracy of a basic system that steers actual posture and movement towards a reference condition through feedforward, that is, the subject receiving instructions on the actual or future desired reference condition. The independent variable in our study design is the feedforward time. The depended variable is a measure accuracy obtained by integrating the total immediate joint angle differences of desired and reference position over the time domain. An optimal feedforward time is explored and validated for movement instructions and for obstacle avoidance with vision and in blindfolded subjects.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verwulgen Stijn
• Co-promoter: Saeys Wim
• Co-promoter: Truijen Steven

Research team(s)

• Product development01/07/2016 - 31/12/2017

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Active muscle contractions are measured through elektro myography (EMG), where the electrical signals of nerves causing the muscle to contract are measured. The challenge is to measure inactive muscle contraction, aslo known as enhanced muscle tone, were no causing electrical signal is produced, however the muscle is in a contracted state. A well-known inconvenience is an enhanced muscle tone of the trapezius (stiff neck), in which physiotherapy is commonly applied to relieve the disease. In this project we aim to develop a method to measure muscle contraction independent from EMG signals, that can be applied to measure muscle tone and assess the effect of physiotherapy in patients who suffer an enhanced muscle tone.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Revets Hilde
• Co-promoter: Verwulgen Stijn

Research team(s)

• Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)01/05/2016 - 30/06/2017

Funding

• IOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

There is a wide variety of body shapes. The goal of this project is to develop a statistical shape model of the population, based on 3D scans of the exterior of the body. This virtual model is fully adjustable, both in pose as well as in body shape. The characteristics are also adjustable. The model can be used by product developers to deliver better, more comfortable, semi-custom designs.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Sijbers Jan
• Co-promoter: De Bruyne Guido
• Co-promoter: Huysmans Toon
• Co-promoter: Truijen Steven
• Fellow: Danckaers Femke

Research team(s)

• Vision lab01/01/2015 - 31/12/2018

Funding

• IWT

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In-depth biomechanical gait analyses have contributed to the understanding of movement patterns. However, movement analysis in home situations or even outdoors will augment its benefits. In this project we will develop a model linking 7 Xsens motion trackers to study trunk performance and locomotion. Furthermore, the reliability and validity of this model will be investigated by comparing the Xsens model with a Vicon optical camera system.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Saeys Wim
• Co-promoter: Vereeck Luc

Research team(s)

• Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)01/07/2014 - 31/12/2015

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the Flemish Public Service. UA provides the Flemish Public Service research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van de Heyning Paul
• Co-promoter: Aerts Peter
• Co-promoter: Pieters Luc
• Co-promoter: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Wuyts Floris

Research team(s)

• Translational Neurosciences (TNW)22/07/2010 - 31/10/2016

Funding

• VL.WET.BEL

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Many stroke survivors have residual physical impairments that may lead to a sedentary lifestyle and consequently a decline in cardiorespiratory fitness. Research is needed to determine the optimal protocol to train individuals with different levels of physical impairment and cardiac risk. It is useful to know the long-term effects of aerobic exercise training as well as the relationship between improvement in aerobic capacity and daily function.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Cras Patrick
• Co-principal investigator: Truijen Steven

Research team(s)

• Translational Neurosciences (TNW)01/01/2010 - 31/12/2011

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project about RSI in musicians has two goals: 1. to constitute a centre of expertise related to musculoskeletal complaints in musicians and 2. related, clinical and biomechanical (kinematic and kinetic) research about the muscle coordination, fatigue and arthrokinematics of the motoric performance control of music scores and the causes of RSI in musicians. In a first phase, this research furthers with the study on violists/violinists, research which has been started last year on violists of the Koninklijk Conservatorium Antwerpen.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Somville Johan
• Co-principal investigator: Truijen Steven

Research team(s)

• Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC)01/01/2009 - 31/12/2010

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Despite the increasing awareness and need for interprofessional collaboration in health care, only few studies demonstrate its effect. The main purpose of this study is to measure the effect of 'learning to collaborate interprofessionally' on the quality of care for residents of nursing homes. The study is divided into four major parts. The first part is a description of what interprofessional collaboration means and how this skill is taught in educational modules. These interprofessional education modules form the basis of the intervention in this study for this project. The second part is a systematic literature review conducted with the aim to obtain outcomes of interprofessional collaboration as an intervention for chronic geriatric care. Evidence is being searched that may or may not demonstrate the effect of 'learning to collaborate interprofessionally 'on the quality of care and how it is to be measured. In the third part, the aim is to get a description of the existing care (region Antwerp) for residents in nursing homes. The description of the existing care (usual care) is based on the experiences of professionals and residents using focus groups and depth interviews. The description will give us a better idea of how the care is being organized ' interprofessionally' and what the current problems are at work. In the fourth and final part of this project, a pilot for a cluster randomized controlled trial in primary care with one year follow-up is being performed. This experimental study attempts to quantify the effect of interprofessional collaboration as an intervention on the quality of care for residents in a nursing home. This study measures the possible influence of learning to collaborate interprofessionally for professional help providers, the nursing homes and their residents. With SWOT- analyses bottlenecks in interprofessional collaboration will be identified. In addition several outcomes are being registered since the implementation of the ' interprofessional collaboration-intervention'. On residents level a number of indicators are being monitored, for example the fall incidence, quality of life, etc. Also on nursing home level the experiences with 'learning to collaborate interprofessionally' are being registered for example work absenteeism, number of personnel, etc. With this doctoral study project, the aim is to measure the possible influence of learning to collaborate interprofessionally' on the quality of care, expressed in a limited number of outcome parameters and compared with the existing care. The hypothesis is that learning to collaborate interprofessionally can help to increase the quality of care in nursing homes.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Royen Paul
• Co-principal investigator: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Meulemans Herman

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)01/10/2008 - 30/09/2012

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a heterogeneous clinically syndrome. Patients suffering from MCI have an increased risk to develop dementia. The aim of this research project is the identification of clinical characteristics (behavioural profiles) and biomarkers (APOE genotype and ¿-amyloïd1-42, total tau and tau phosphorylated at serine 181 in cerebrospinal fluid) with a predictive value for conversion to dementia in MCI patients.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Deyn Peter
• Co-principal investigator: Truijen Steven

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The development en validation of head and bodypositioning technology in strokepatients. The relationship between this posture and falling is investigated. In particular processes of equilibrium and neuropsychology are studied. Acquired knowledge is implemented in therapy and is subsequently evaluated.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van de Heyning Paul
• Co-principal investigator: Truijen Steven
• Co-promoter: Wuyts Floris

Research team(s)

• Translational Neurosciences (TNW)01/10/2007 - 30/09/2011

Funding

• BOF

Project type(s)

• Research Project