Basalt in Motion

For people undergoing rehabilitation, physical activity is very important, but it's often much less straightforward.

Centre of Expertise Health Innovation

Basalt in Beweging 2

The 'Basalt in Beweging' project generates knowledge about active movement behavior, enabling professionals to more effectively support patients in adopting an active lifestyle.

Insufficient physical activity is a major problem in our society, including for patients during and after medical specialist rehabilitation. In addition to general health benefits, people in rehabilitation benefit from physical activity because it can reduce the effects of their condition or prevent deterioration. However, for people in rehabilitation, exercise is not a given; it requires more effort and provides less satisfaction.

As part of the six-year "Basalt in Motion" research program, and in collaboration with partners including The Hague University of Applied Sciences and UMCG, practical knowledge regarding active movement behavior is being developed. This enables rehabilitation professionals to support patients more effectively in encouraging and maintaining physical activity.

Basalt in Beweging

The research

The 'Basalt in Motion' research program consists of four projects.

1. The role of nursing staff

Researcher: Åsa Mennema

How can nurses support and encourage patients undergoing rehabilitation in the clinic to become more physically active? PhD candidate Åsa Mennema is investigating this question, examining the current role, the desired role, and what nurses and care staff need to fulfill that role optimally. The aim is to develop an educational program featuring practical tools for nursing practice.
Read more about this project on the project page Nursing staff supports a healthy lifestyle during rehabilitation.

2. Mapping physical activity behavior and barriers to physical activity 

Researcher: Desi Stokman-Meiland

What barriers prevent a patient from becoming physically active, and can these be measured validly using a questionnaire? This is one of the central questions in Desi Stokman-Meiland’s doctoral research. Focus groups involving patients and healthcare providers are being used to explore how such an assessment can aid diagnostics and facilitate conversations with patients about healthy physical activity habits. The core question is whether this approach helps provide insight, set physical activity goals, and determine treatment strategies aimed at achieving healthy physical activity behavior. The results of the sub-studies are expected to be published during 2024–2025.

3. Developing an intervention to encourage sustained physical activity

Researcher: Lisenka te Lindert

How can we better help patients become (more) physically active during and after rehabilitation? In her doctoral research, Lisenka is developing a physical activity intervention for outpatients who have suffered a stroke, tailored to existing rehabilitation care. This development process involves co-creation with patients, their loved ones, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, and utilizes an evidence-based approach alongside behavior change techniques. The intervention is based on the patient's physical activity and behavioral profile and consists of 1) an educational module, 2) targeted guidance in achieving personal physical activity goals, and 3) addressing barriers with the help of a multidisciplinary team.

4. A seamless physical activity journey in the Haaglanden region. 

Researcher: Sander Houdijk

How can people make optimal use of the wide range of sports and physical activity options in the Haaglanden region after completing rehabilitation? What factors influence a smoother transition from "learning to move within a healthcare setting" to "staying active in one's own living environment"? How can we improve regional collaboration? These are the questions Professional Doctorate candidate Sander Houdijk aims to answer through his PD project. He is undertaking this work to address a significant practical challenge and—together with all stakeholders—improve this "physical activity journey." The PD project aims to improve the alignment between healthcare, social welfare services, and the individual's own living environment, thereby helping people maintain an active lifestyle after rehabilitation. You can read more about Sander’s PD project here.

Collaboration 

Various parties from the education and professional sectors collaborate on Basalt in Beweging, namely: University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), and Leiden University of Applied Sciences.

Team

The 'Basalt in Motion' (Basalt in Beweging) project team consists of:

  • Rienk Dekker – Rehabilitation physician and Professor of Active Lifestyle
  • Monique Berger – Professor of Assistive Technology for Mobility and Sports
  • Jorit Meesters – Professor of Rehabilitation and Technology
  • Aleid de Rooij – Senior researcher and project leader
  • Gul Civic – Project leader Innovation, Quality + Research (IQ+R)
  • Lisenka te Lindert, Desi Stokman, and Åsa Mennema – PhD candidates
  • Sander Houdijk – Professional Doctorate candidate
  • Karen van de Oever – Rehabilitation physician
  • Japhet van Abswoude – Manager Innovation, Quality + Research (IQ+R)

More information 

You can also find information about this project on the Basalt rehabilitation centre website.

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