Musculoskeletal Health
Program directors: Prof. A.J. van der Beek, PhD and Prof. Maurits van Tulder, PhD
Mission
The research program Musculoskeletal Health (MSH) seeks knowledge about the development and lifelong maintenance of a healthy musculoskeletal system and about the occurrence, prognosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.
Specific research themes
- Research methodology. This theme refers to methodological studies in the fields of epidemiology, clinimetrics, systematic reviews, economic evaluation, and prognostic models.
- Chronic and persistent symptoms. This theme refers to research that contributes to evidence-based information on diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic and persistent musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, back pain, chronic widespread pain, complex pain syndromes and sports injuries.
- Activities of daily living and participation. This theme refers to research that focuses on improving activities of daily living and participation, including return to work, as primary outcome measures.
Rationale and focus
Musculoskeletal disorders occur frequently and their incidence and prevalence are expected to increase rapidly as the population ages and people engage in unhealthy lifestyles. The research program contributes to evidence-based practice on musculoskeletal disorders and health in the setting of occupational health, primary health care and rehabilitation practice. Furthermore, the research program strongly contributes to the development of research methodology.
Future perspectives
The goals for the near future are to:
- Increase the number of submitted grant proposals
- Increase collaboration with more basic movement scientists to encourage joint projects
- Increase the program’s societal impact and visibility
- Improve the collaboration with the Rehabilitation Center Amsterdam/Jan van Breemen Institute, i.e. the rehabilitation medicine institute that will join the VU University Medical Center
- Strengthen international collaboration