The role of sensory, fear-related, and inflammatory factors in the persistence of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain

Job title:

The role of sensory, fear-related, and inflammatory factors in the persistence of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain

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Job description

Offer DescriptionPregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain affects 50-90% of pregnant women and is often dismissed as a normal part of pregnancy. However, the long-term consequences can be dramatic. Up to 21% of women with pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain still experience pain three years postpartum, and 10% continue to experience reduced quality of life and lower work ability 11 years after delivery. Because the multifactorial aetiology of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain is unclear, prevention and treatment often fall short. Previous studies on the causes of PLPP focused on impairments in motor output but ignored that impairments in sensory input (e.g., proprioception, the primary expertise of our research group) often precede motor output problems. Moreover, though psychological factors such as fear (of movement) are known to affect PLPP, their predictive role in PLPP remains understudied. Finally, the role of systemic inflammation in PLPP has yet to be examined, despite recent studies demonstrating its role in the chronification of lumbopelvic pain in the general population.RequirementsResearch Field Medical sciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalentLanguages DUTCH Level GoodLanguages ENGLISH Level GoodAdditional InformationBenefitsYou will be appointed and remunerated as a PhD candidate.Appointment for 2 years from September/October 2024. Once renewable for 2 years after positive evaluation.
The selection procedure consists of a pre-selection on application file and an interview.The selection procedure may be supplemented by a presentation or assignment. The selection procedure will be organised in June 2024.The selection procedure runs through a joint committee of UHasselt and KU Leuven. It is therefore sufficient to submit your application file through one of both institutions.

Eligibility criteria

• You hold a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences, Movement Sciences, (Bio)Medical Sciences, Nursing Sciences. (or equivalent)
• Final-year students are also encouraged to apply.
• You have achieved good academic results.
• Experience with patients is a plus.
• You are willing to familiarise yourself with the use of advanced research equipment (e.g. force platform, analysis of inflammatory markers) and data processing programmes (e.g. Matlab). You are willing to collaborate with clinical partners (e.g. gynaecologists, midwives).
• You have an understanding of setting up, conducting and analysing experimental research designs.
• You have strong problem-solving skills, are flexible, have organisational skills and are stress-resistant.
• You have excellent communication skills and a good knowledge of Dutch and English, both oral and written.
• You actively contribute to a positive working atmosphere, establishing connections between different domains and people (practice assistants, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, professors).

Selection processFor more information please contact Prof. dr. Inge Geraerts, tel.: +32 16 32 91 20, mail: .
You can apply for this job no later than 13/05/2024 via theWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute KU Leuven Country Belgium State/Province Vlaams Brabant City Leuven Postal Code 3000 Street Leuven GeofieldWhere to apply WebsiteContact State/ProvinceLeuven CityVlaams Brabant StreetLeuven Postal Code3000STATUS: EXPIRED

Expected salary

Location

Louvain, Brabant Flamand

Job date

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:21:45 GMT

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