Education Research Current About VU Amsterdam NL
Login as
Prospective student Student Employee
Bachelor Master VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Amsterdam Summer School Honours programme VU-NT2 Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Research highlights Prizes and distinctions
Research institutes Our scientists Research Impact Support Portal Creating impact
News Events calendar Biodiversity at VU Amsterdam
Israël and Palestinian regions Culture on campus
Practical matters Mission and core values Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Governance Partnerships Alumni University Library Working at VU Amsterdam
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

The HOOP study: Prognostic Factors for Primary Headaches in Primary Care

Do you have days when headaches completely throw you off balance? You are not alone. Tension headaches and migraines are common and can greatly affect your daily life. Yet little is known about why these symptoms quickly subside in some and keep recurring in others.

That is why we would like to invite you to participate in the HOOP study (Headache Research on Prognostic Factors). Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam (UvA), is investigating which factors influence recovery from tension headaches and migraines.

The HOOP study also refers to the word “hope”: much is still unknown about these types of headaches, which sometimes makes it difficult to determine an appropriate treatment plan. With this research, we aim to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence recovery, so that we can provide more targeted assistance to people in the future.

You can read exactly what the study entails on this webpage and in the detailed information letter. Participation in the study is completely voluntary.

Do you have any questions about the study or participation? Feel free to contact us at:

dr. René Castien
E: r.f.castien@vu.nl

Tim Jongejans
E: t.jongejans@student.vu.nl
T: 06-53119779

Lars van Seijen
E: lars.van.seijen@student.uva.nl
T: 06-37419578

Sign up for the survey
Go to the application form

About the study and participation

  • What is the purpose of the research?

    This study aims to identify the factors that influence the course of headaches in individuals with tension-type headaches and/or migraines.

  • How does the research work?

    First, we will contact you to check whether you meet the criteria for participating in this study. If so, you will be asked to complete a 4-week headache diary. After that, there will be 4 online measurement moments consisting of online questionnaires. You can complete these questionnaires on Qualtrics (see tab below Online questionnaires on Qualtrics).

  • How can I participate in the study?

    To participate in the survey, you can easily register online via Qualtrics. Here, you will enter your name, phone number and e-mail address. We will contact you by phone to check the participation criteria and answer your questions. Once completed, the study can begin.

  • Online questionnaires on Qualtrics

    Qualtrics' secure online environment allows all measurements to be taken online. The first measurement consists of general questions about you, your headaches and your health. In addition, questions will be asked about stress, depression, anxiety, catastrophising, sleep and work.

    After 3, 6 and 12 months, you will be asked to answer online questions covering your headaches, any treatment and recovery. In the week of a prior to this online questionnaire, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to answer the online questions.

  • Partnerships

    Within this study, we collaborate with the following networks and centres, among others:

    In addition, many other physiotherapists and general practitioners contribute to this research.

For healthcare providers

  • How can I register a patient?

    If you are a healthcare provider and want to register a patient, you can easily do so online via Qualtrics. You will be directed to the Qualtrics environment. In this environment, you can enter the patient's name, email address and telephone number. We will then contact the patient by phone.

    Participants can register themselves via the link under the header “How can I register to participate in the study?”

The research team

Below are the research team

Dr René Castien

Senior researcher Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences

Profile

Tim Jongejans

MSc manual therapist and scientific researchers in training, Student Master Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences at the VU

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences

Lars van Seijen

MSc manual therapist and scientific researchers in training, Student Master Evidence Based Practice in Health Care at the University of Amsterdam

Wendy Scholten-Peeters

Associate professor of Musculoskeletal physiotherapy

Profile

Quick links

Homepage Culture on campus VU Sports Centre Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas Digital accessibility

About VU Amsterdam

Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions Privacy Disclaimer Safety Web Colophon Cookie Settings Web Archive

Copyright © 2026 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam