Objective
Muscle contractions in children with cerebral palsy (CP) cause abnormal musculoskeletal loading, which can lead to bony deformities. Deformities of the femur are commonly corrected by de-rotation osteotomies. In children, early clinical interventions, which aim to normalize the loading of the musculoskeletal system, could influence bone growth and prevent the development of bony deformities. To investigate this assumption, I will use musculoskeletal (MSK) models to calculate the loading conditions of the femur before and after Botulinum Toxin-A injections (BTI) in lower limb muscles. The obtained loading conditions will then be used as input for a mechanobiological finite element analysis (FEA) model to assess the impact of altered loading conditions on femoral bone growth. With this simulation platform, I will use the patient’s gait pattern and BTI treatment history to relate the loading conditions to the femoral deformities and compare these to the measured deformities from medical images. If BTI or similar load-modifying clinical interventions can be used to reduce the number of surgical corrections, it will decrease the burden on the child as well as decrease the socio-economic costs related to the treatment of children with CP.
During my PhD at Griffith University (Australia), I compared different methods and models for clinical gait analysis and showed that MSK models can be confidentially used in children with CP. With this project, I strive to go one-step further and show that MSK loadings in combination with a mechanobiological model can be used to enhance our understanding of the impact of clinical interventions and, therefore, improve the treatment planning in children with CP. I am highly motivated to take on the challenge and acquire the new scientific and transferable skills, which will strengthen my profile for future grant proposals and increase my opportunities for a permanent position after the fellowship.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3000 LEUVEN
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.