BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence M.E. de Leeuwerk METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260205T134500 DTEND:20260205T151500 DTSTAMP:20260205T134500 UID:2026/phd-defence-m-e-de-leeuwe@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260408T000326 LOCATION:VU Main Building De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence M.E. de Leeuwerk X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Optimizing physical rec overy after oncological surgery

Digital support accel erates recovery after cancer surgery

Major cancer surgery often has profound effects on the body. Many patients lose muscle mass and strength, experience severe fatigue, and struggle with daily activities. Previous research shows that a substantial proportion of patients have not fully recovered ev en three to six months after surgery. Although patients receive guida nce on nutrition and physical activity in the hospital, this support largely disappears after discharge.

De Leeuwerk’s research fo cused on closing this gap in care. The OPRAH intervention that was de veloped provided patients with additional support at home. Through an app and an activity sensor, patients gained insight into their daily physical activity, while healthcare professionals provided remote co aching and advice on exercise and protein intake.

The results s how that this approach is effective. Patients who participated in the intervention were more physically active, more often met their prote in requirements, and reported less fatigue than patients without digi tal support. Their physical functioning also recovered better. Accord ing to De Leeuwerk, sufficient physical activity and protein intake a re essential for maintaining and rebuilding muscle after surgery.

Digital support makes it possible for patients to work safely and independently on their recovery at home, while still receiving person alized, tailored support from healthcare professionals. This reduces the need for additional hospital visits and aligns with the growing p ressure on healthcare systems and ongoing staff shortages.

The study therefore highlights the potential of digital healthcare soluti ons to improve postoperative recovery while keeping healthcare access ible, efficient, and affordable.

More information on the th esis

DESCRIPTION:

Digital support accelerates recovery after ca ncer surgery

Patients recover faster and more effective ly from major cancer surgery when they receive digital support for nu trition and physical activity at home. This is shown by research cond ucted by physiotherapist Marijke de Leeuwerk into the OPRAH intervent ion (Optimal Physical Recovery After Hospitalization), a program that provides remote support to patients using an app, an activity sensor , and coaching by a physiotherapist and dietitian. Major cancer surge ry often has profound effects on the body. Many patients lose muscle mass and strength, experience severe fatigue, and struggle with daily activities. Previous research shows that a substantial proportion of patients have not fully recovered even three to six months after sur gery. Although patients receive guidance on nutrition and physical ac tivity in the hospital, this support largely disappears after dischar ge. De Leeuwerk’s research focused on closing this gap in care. The OPRAH intervention that was developed provided patients with additio nal support at home. Through an app and an activity sensor, patients gained insight into their daily physical activity, while healthcare p rofessionals provided remote coaching and advice on exercise and prot ein intake. The results show that this approach is effective. Patient s who participated in the intervention were more physically active, m ore often met their protein requirements, and reported less fatigue t han patients without digital support. Their physical functioning also recovered better. According to De Leeuwerk, sufficient physical acti vity and protein intake are essential for maintaining and rebuilding muscle after surgery. Digital support makes it possible for patients to work safely and independently on their recovery at home, while sti ll receiving personalized, tailored support from healthcare professio nals. This reduces the need for additional hospital visits and aligns with the growing pressure on healthcare systems and ongoing staff sh ortages. The study therefore highlights the potential of digital heal thcare solutions to improve postoperative recovery while keeping heal thcare accessible, efficient, and affordable. More information on the thesis Optimizing physical recovery after oncological surger y END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR