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Identifying Predictive factors for the Recovery of Achilles Tendinopathy

Project description

Understanding why Achilles tendinopathy persists in some patients

One in four people treated for Achilles tendinopathy (AT) continue to suffer from chronic pain and stiffness for over a decade. While psychosocial factors and metabolic disorders are known to influence recovery, evidence on their exact role is limited. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PReAcT project will investigate which patient-related factors contribute to poor recovery following standard care. Specifically, the project will conduct a long-term study to explore psychosocial and metabolic influences, uncover new insights through inflammatory pathways and develop a clinical classification model to identify those at risk. The goal is to create a personalised, person-centred AT treatment approach.

Objective

Despite treatment, one in four patients with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) develop chronic symptoms of ankle pain and stiffness lasting more than a decade, thus tremendously impacting their daily lives. As such, this project’s overall objective is to investigate which patient-related factors can hinder these patients’ recovery following the current standard of care. Recently, psychosocial factors have been acknowledged as important to consider when treating AT patients. Also, metabolic disorders have been suggested as influential factors limiting recovery following standard treatment for AT. However, there is little evidence regarding the predictive value of psychosocial and metabolic factors for AT recovery. Therefore, via a longitudinal cohort study, I aim to identify predictive psychosocial and metabolic factors influencing the recovery of persistent AT following standard care. Additionally, I will explore new psychosocial themes and metabolic influences via inflammatory pathways using innovative methods, as well as develop a clinical classification model able to identify patients at risk for poor recovery. The final aim of this project is to utilize the newly gathered insights and design a person-centered treatment approach for at-risk patients with AT. This fellowship will allow me to combine my strong background in (chronic) pain and related psychosocial factors, with the leading expertise of my supervisor and host institution on Achilles tendons. In doing so, it will offer me the ideal learning environment to gain meaningful experiences with this population, develop valuable research and transferable skills, and foster long-lasting scientific collaborations. Ultimately, this fellowship will help me establish myself as an independent researcher who can start and lead a novel research line investigating person-centered treatment strategies for AT.

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Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

ERASMUS UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM ROTTERDAM
Net EU contribution
€ 232 916,16
Address
DR MOLEWATERPLEIN 40
3015 GD Rotterdam
Netherlands
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
No data