Dirk Vissers professor

Research Dirk Vissers

Research team

Expertise

Lifestyle and health. Measuring physical activity in children and adults with obesity and diabetes. Quantitative and qualitative research about physical activity and lifestyle in internal disorders. Multidisciplinary and cultural-sensitive approaches in diabetes and obesity.

Augmenting clinical decision-making processes for primary care physiotherapists based on state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques. 01/07/2021 - 31/12/2022

Abstract

The objective of this project is to demonstrate how patient-related physiotherapy data that is collected and stored in a structured way, can be used for data-analysis by the use of deep learning, a part of a broader family of machine learning methods. Neural networks will be used to determine which therapeutic approach can be best used for what type of patient to increase physical activity, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of using data-analysis to develop effective therapeutic strategies in patients with cardiorespiratory and metabolic diseases. Demonstrating the feasibility of data gathering, storage and analysis in physiotherapy in internal diseases in a primary care setting will be a first and major step in developing data-driven therapy. The results of this project will facilitate and enable further research in the development of data-driven medicine in multiple diseases, as well as the development of data-monitoring and tele-coaching application in healthcare. The combined expertise of both research groups, in partnership with the Belgian Physiotherapy Association (Axxon), allows this consortium to take a head start in data-driven physiotherapy research and to become a pioneer in this field in Europe.

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  • Research Project

Changing towards a cultural-sensitive multidisciplinary lifestyle approach for women with type 2 diabetes in Oujda, Morocco. 01/01/2019 - 31/08/2022

Abstract

This South Initiative is the first step towards a long-term general objective that aims to improve the quality of life and well-being of people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the Oujda region by developing a multidisciplinary approach in the management of T2D, based upon international guidelines but adapted to the regional socio-economic and cultural context, and with a focus on empowerment of Muslim women. The intermediate results of this SI project proposal are: 1) Facilitators and perceived barriers in female patients with T2D towards change to a healthier lifestyle are known. 2) Characteristics of patients with T2D in the region of Oujda (prevalence, lifestyle, age, gender,…) are analysed. 3) Master and bachelor students have gained experience by participating to relevant research. 4) All involved stakeholders shared existing and newly ac-quired knowledge and expertise. 5) Facilitators and perceived barriers in health professionals of different disciplines to work together in the management of T2D are known.

Researcher(s)

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Project website

Project type(s)

  • Research Project

Validation and clinical use of computer assisted lung sound analyses (CALSA) in cystic fibrosis patients and patients with neuromuscular diseases using functional respiratory imaging. 01/07/2016 - 31/12/2017

Abstract

Many respiratory diseases require a physiotherapeutic treatment whit a focus on clearance of excessive mucus from the airways. Although patients report a subjective benefit, there is little objective evidence regarding the effect of airway clearance techniques. This contradiction exists due to a lack of good outcome measures that are specifically related to the interventions employed. Electronic auscultation coupled with computerized lung sound analysis (CALSA) has the potential to improve the clinical evaluation of pulmonary disorders in both clinical and research settings. In other words, CALSA could be a valid instrument for the evaluation of physiotherapeutic treatments. In this project, we want to validate CALSA and recorded lung sounds in patients with cystic fibrosis and neuromuscular diseases by comparing it with CT-based functional respiratory imaging. In the second part, we want to evaluate the effect of airway clearance techniques by using changes in CALSA and comparing it with classic outcome measures.

Researcher(s)

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  • Research Project

The effect of forefoot running on sports-related injuries of the lower limb and jump height in volleyball. 01/07/2015 - 31/12/2016

Abstract

Jump height is important in volleyball but jumping repeatedly can contribute to overuse injuries. Forefoot running is a technique that focuses on forefoot strike during running and keeping the balance on the forefoot. This study will investigate if training forefoot running is an efficient way of both preventing injuries and improving jump height in volleyball.

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  • Research Project

Automatic detection of exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET): developing an accurate, practical and clinical applicable graphical user interface (GUI). 01/06/2015 - 31/05/2016

Abstract

Exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) is a strong prognostic parameter indicating early mortality. Before, this abnormal breathing pattern is often unrecognized because it is assessed subjectively by visual inspection or manually computed. The goal of this proof-of-concept, is to obtain automated detection of EOV and to create a clinical applicable interface. This interface could be integrated in existing cardiopulmonary exercise test software worldwide.

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  • Research Project

Adolescent obesity; what determines endothelial dysfunction and is the process reversible? 01/07/2010 - 30/06/2014

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction is already manifest in obese children. Physical activity and diet are efficient measures to tackle obesity. 2 cohorts of obese adolescents are recruted dietary advise and encouragement of sports vs supervised diet and training (10 mths). Improved endothelial-dependent vasodilation serves as a primary endpoint. Metabolic/inflammatory changes, oxidative stress, mobilisation/function of endothelial progenitor cells (endothelial repair) is examined. Endothelial damage is assessed through liberation of endothelial microparticles.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

    Project type(s)

    • Research Project