In this episode, recorded live at the Pain Science in Motion Congress in Brussels, we sit down with PhD researcher and physiotherapist Sophie van Dijk from the University of Antwerp. Sophie shares insights from her double poster presentation, focusing on the critical challenges and methodologies surrounding the assessment of physical activity in populations living with persistent pain.

Sophie’s Study: Measuring Activity in Persistent Pain

While physical activity is a cornerstone of chronic pain rehabilitation, staying active remains a massive hurdle for patients. To design effective, tailored interventions, clinicians must first be able to accurately track a patient's movement. Sophie van Dijk’s research addresses a fundamental clinical question: how do subjective patient self-reports compare to objective technological tracking?

The Trade-offs of Measurement

Both assessment methods have distinct pros and cons:

●       Subjective Self-Reports (e.g., the IPAQ questionnaire): These are cost-effective and provide rich context, showing exactly where and why a patient is active (e.g., at work vs. during leisure). However, they are highly susceptible to recall bias.

●       Objective Tracking (e.g., smartwatches and accelerometers): These deliver unbiased, continuous data that can actively boost patient motivation. On the downside, wearing a device 24/7 can be intrusive, and the data lacks behavioral context.

Target Population and Study Status

The research focuses specifically on breast cancer survivors, a group where roughly 45% to 50% experience persistent pain after completing treatment. By directly comparing their questionnaire answers with accelerometer data, the study aims to map out exactly where measurement discrepancies occur.

This project efficiently "piggybacks" on the baseline data of a larger randomized controlled trial, the PEAK trial. Recruitment for Sophie's sub-study concludes at the end of this year, with data analysis slated for next year. Future steps will also examine how pain variables—like pain intensity and disability—directly influence a patient's tendency to over- or underestimate their actual physical activity.

Clinical Implications: A Combined Approach

Sophie emphasizes that the goal is not to choose one method over the other, but to integrate both. Merging the hard numbers of objective tracking with the rich, personal context of a questionnaire gives clinicians the complete picture. Ultimately, this combined approach opens the door to much more meaningful and effective conversations in the treatment room.

Call to Action for Clinicians

The PEAK trial is actively seeking breast cancer survivors who suffer from persistent pain after ending their treatment. The trial offers a comprehensive intervention combining pain science education with targeted behavior change strategies to safely promote physical activity. Clinicians are highly encouraged to refer eligible patients via the research group's official channels. Recruitment is still open till the end of 2026.

Do you want to know more about this Physical Activity Assessment Study? Visit the website:

https://www.caredon.org/researchers/projects/pragmatic-rct-belgian-primary-care-and-hospital-settings-effectiveness-ehealth

References & Resources

• Featured Assessment Tool: IPAQ Long Form (International Physical Activity Questionnaire)

• Associated Clinical Trial: The PEAK Trial (Investigating Pain Science Education and Activity Behavior Change)

• Collaborating Entities: University of Antwerp & Pain in Motion

Do you want to know more about Physio Global? Visit our website: www.physioglobal.nl

Or do you have other ideas or a question? Please send us an email: [email protected]

For the Jingle a special thanks to: Seize the Day en Andrey Rossi. Muziek van #Uppbeat.