Tongeren Borgloon

Researchers are investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT) compared to Treatment As Usual (TAU) for young adults aged 18 to 25 who experience frequent suicidal thoughts. This mental health issue is a serious concern worldwide, especially in Belgium and the Netherlands, where suicide is a leading cause of death among young adults. Current treatments have limited success, and this study aims to see if ABFT, which focuses on improving family relationships, can better reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors and support young adults and their families. The study is a randomized controlled trial involving 138 participants from multiple sites including hospitals, mental health centers, and private practices in Belgium and the Netherlands. Participants are assigned to either ABFT plus TAU or TAU alone. ABFT is a manualized therapy that strengthens parent-child attachment to create a secure support base, delivered in weekly sessions over about 16 weeks. TAU consists of existing standard treatments such as antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy, or dialectical behavior therapy, with limited family therapy. Parents or caregivers may be involved in both treatments. Participants will be assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up to measure changes in suicidality using questionnaires and therapist reports. Researchers will also evaluate cost-effectiveness, family functioning, depressive symptoms, and treatment adherence. The study aims to improve clinical guidelines and policymaking to enhance care for suicidal young adults and their families over a one-year period.

Researchers are studying the treatment of foot drop caused by peroneal nerve entrapment to find out if decompressive surgery leads to better recovery than maximal conservative treatment. This trial is the first prospective, randomized controlled study comparing these approaches, as previous research mostly included biased case series. The study focuses on patients whose foot drop persists 10 plus or minus 4 weeks after symptom onset and aims to measure improvement nine months after treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either decompressive surgery performed within one week after randomization or to maximal conservative treatment, which includes physiotherapy and gait rehabilitation. The surgery involves releasing the peroneal nerve from surrounding tissue around the fibular head. Conservative treatment focuses on exercises to mobilize the ankle and foot, stretch calf muscles, strengthen dorsiflexion and eversion muscles, and rehabilitate walking. Participants will be evaluated at multiple visits up to 18 months after randomization. Assessments include questionnaires, muscle strength tests, various walking tests such as the six-minute walk test (the primary outcome), and quality of life measures. Electrodiagnostic tests will be done at 3 and 9 months. Researchers will also monitor work productivity and cost-effectiveness. The main measurement is the change in distance walked during the six-minute walk test from baseline to 9 months after treatment.

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy condition marked by high blood pressure (greater than 140/90 mm Hg) and significant protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It affects about 5-8% of pregnant women worldwide and can lead to serious complications for both the mother and child if left untreated. Researchers are investigating cardiovascular changes during pregnancy to improve early detection and treatment of PE, focusing on women at high risk. This study involves pregnant women starting at 10 weeks of pregnancy. At 10 and 20 weeks, participants will have several measurements including NICCOMO (an impedance cardiograph), Maternal Venous Doppler Echography, Maltron bio-electronic impedance analysis, blood pressure, activity tracking, and weight monitoring. If abnormal results appear at 20 or 30 weeks, participants will join a remote monitoring program using devices such as a wireless blood pressure monitor (twice daily), an activity tracker (day and night), and a smart body analyzer for weight (once daily). Participants will be monitored through repeated assessments at 10, 20, and potentially 30 weeks of pregnancy. These include heart and vein imaging, blood pressure checks, activity tracking, and weight measurements. The study aims to track cardiovascular health and detect early signs of PE. Up to 2000 pregnant women from eight hospitals will take part, with ongoing remote monitoring for those showing abnormal test results to support intensive follow-up and care.

This research aims to evaluate how well physiotherapy sessions in Flemish nursing homes follow the IAGG-GARN guidelines. It focuses on understanding the variation in physiotherapy practices across different nursing homes in the provinces of Limburg, Antwerp, and Flemish Brabant. The study also explores factors that influence clinical practice among physiotherapists, including barriers and facilitators to using guideline-based care. The study involves observing physiotherapy sessions provided by licensed physiotherapists in these nursing homes as part of their routine care. Researchers will document the content and duration of therapy sessions using structured observation diaries. Additionally, physiotherapists will participate in focus groups to share their experiences with guideline implementation, challenges faced, and decision-making processes. Participants will be involved through direct observation of their therapy sessions and discussions in focus groups. The main outcome measured is how closely these sessions adhere to the IAGG-GARN recommendations, evaluated over a 2-week period. The study seeks to gather detailed information about current physiotherapy practices and the factors affecting them in nursing home settings.

Researchers are evaluating the use of subcutaneous infliximab in adults with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBD type unclassified. This study focuses on patients who were previously treated with an optimized dose of intravenous infliximab and are currently in steroid-free clinical and biological remission. The trial aims to determine whether a weekly dose of subcutaneous infliximab leads to better outcomes compared to the standard bi-weekly dosing in these patients. Participants will switch from intravenous infliximab to subcutaneous infliximab and will be randomly assigned to receive either weekly or bi-weekly subcutaneous injections. A comparison group of patients who prefer to continue their optimized intravenous infliximab treatment will also be observed. The study will follow patients for one year, with assessments at weeks 0, 8, 24, and 52, though timing may vary based on individual intravenous dosing schedules. During the study, participants will undergo physical exams, blood and stool tests, and complete questionnaires about their health-related quality of life. Those switching to subcutaneous infliximab will also keep a diary of their home injections and answer questions about their experience. The main outcome measured is the proportion of patients who maintain steroid-free clinical and biological remission at week 52 without needing treatment changes. Safety and treatment satisfaction will also be monitored throughout the year.