Retraining the Fatigued Brain (REFAB): A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Personalized Cognitive Rehabilitation Treatment in Burnout and Somatic Symptom Disorder [PhD Project]
Burnout and somatic symptom disorders (SSD) are associated with substantially impaired quality of life and high individual and societal costs, mainly due to spiralling health-care costs and reduced participation in work and social roles.
Cognitive symptoms, abundantly present among patients with burnout or SSD, induced by brain exhaustion, cause a significant disruption of daily functioning, and may underlie described adverse effects. Importantly, high heterogeneity in symptom profiles may complicate treatment success with conventional cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
A relatively new treatment protocol, cognitive rehabilitation treatment (CRT), that personalizes cognitive strengthening may be more beneficial for individuals with burnout or SSD who suffer from cognitive problems. CRT has been proven efficacious in Multiple Sclerosis and stroke. However, studies regarding CRT in patients with burnout or SSD are lacking. Therefore, the current study aims to determine the effects of a personalized cognitive rehabilitation treatment aiming to strengthen cognitive function where needed, thereby improving quality of life and increasing work reintegration. Most importantly, CRT has the scope to be personalized to several cognitive domains, and matched to patients’ diagnosed cognitive profile. Therefore, personalized CRT has great potential as a treatment option for personally-important cognitive symptoms that significantly disrupt daily life in our patient groups.
Through our findings we hope to extend treatment options and contribute to a more personalized treatment. Treatment success will lead to improved health, strengthening of cognitive function, and will add to sustainable participation in work and the broader society, ultimately reducing costs.
Team composition
- Dr. Nina Kupper (MCP)
- Dr. Lars de Vroege (Tranzo; GGZ Breburg)
- Prof. dr. Marc van Veldhoven (HRS)
- Prof. dr. Willem Johan (Wijo) Kop (MCP)
Cross-cutting themes
The Herbert Simon Research Institute for Health, Well-being, and Adaptiveness is a research center devoted to carrying out excellent, state of the art research in order to contribute to healthy and resilient people. We have selected three themes, which involve the collaboration between various Departments and address actual themes in need of both fundamental and applied research.