Emma Tack
doctoral fellow
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, MOVANT research group, Univ. of Antwerp.
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University.
Principal investigator: prof. Geert Crombez (PhD)
Research focus
Due to better detection and treatment, cancer survival rates have steadily inclined. Being free of cancer, however, does not guarantee being free of symptoms. With their health-related quality of life still being lower than the general population, many cancer survivors experience fatigue, pain, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and many more. Physical activity (PA) and participating in a physically active lifestyle may offer a solution to these experiences. Despite the benefits, not many survivors meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. There is a need for a low-threshold intervention that supports and coaches cancer survivors in achieving an active lifestyle. Digital interventions are a promising avenue to achieve this goal, but available interventions are often not tailored to the target group or the preferences and wishes of the individual.
In this project, a personalized mHealth intervention will be developed to promote a healthy lifestyle in cancer survivors. This project will come about through interdisciplinary collaboration between the behavioral and engineering sciences In the long-term the intervention may be used both as a stand-alone intervention, with the potential to reach many, as well as embedded in combination with face-to face contact with a healthcare provider (blended care).
Biography
- Master Clinical Psychology