Lore Dams principal research fellow

Research Lore Dams

Research team

Expertise

Lore Dams is a physiotherapist, manual therapist and obtained her PhD in biomedical sciences at the University of Antwerp (MOVANT) and KU Leuven (GRID) in 2021. Her doctoral project focused on unraveling pain after surgery for breast cancer from a biopsychosocial perspective. In order to optimize prevention and treatment, she conducted research on the effect of pain education immediately following breast cancer surgery, as well as evaluation tools (quantitative sensory testing) and risk factors for pain after breast cancer treatment. As a postdoctoral researcher, she brings her clinical experience as a physiotherapist in oncological rehabilitation to both her teaching and research. Her research investigates the impact of lifestyle interventions (particularly physical activity) on mitigating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and other cancer-treatment related side effects. Committed to improving patient care, she strives for interdisciplinary approaches and effective transmural communication.

Efficacy and neuro-immune working mechanisms of a novel multimodal exercise intervention to reduce chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: THE CIPN-EX TRIAL. 01/11/2024 - 31/10/2027

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating and prevalent side effect of chemotherapy. The most common symptoms are sensory changes in the hands and/or feet. CIPN may interfere with daily activities as well as with the continuation of cancer treatment. Despite the significance of CIPN, there are no evidence-based interventions available that aim to reverse the underlying mechanisms of CIPN. Multimodal exercise is a promising strategy, however, clinical evidence in attenuating CIPN symptoms is limited. It would be groundbreaking if a novel multimodal exercise program consisting of neurodynamic exercises and aerobic and resistance training is effective in attenuating CIPN. Therefore, the goal of this project is to gain in-depth knowledge on how a multimodal exercise program (neurodynamic + aerobic and resistance training) may attenuate CIPN in patients receiving taxane-or platinum-based chemotherapy by investigating 1) the effect of exercise on CIPN symptoms and signs, 2) on CIPN biomarkers (Neurofilament Light Chain, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Nerve Growth Factor, inflammatory cytokines) and 3) whether changes in CIPN biomarkers caused by exercise are associated with attenuation of symptoms of CIPN. A prospective randomized controlled trial with mediation analyses will be conducted with self-reported CIPN symptoms as primary outcome and CIPN signs as secondary outcome (quantitative sensory testing), both at short-and long-term.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

  • Research Project