PReAcT: Identifying Predictive factors for the Recovery of Achilles Tendinopathy

Despite treatment, one in four patients with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) develop chronic symptoms of ankle pain and stiffness lasting more than a decade, thus tremendously impacting their daily lives. As such, this project’s overall objective is to investigate which patient-related factors can hinder these patients’ recovery following the current standard of care. Recently, psychosocial factors have been acknowledged as important to consider when treating AT patients. Also, metabolic disorders have been suggested as influential factors limiting recovery following standard treatment for AT. However, there is little evidence regarding the predictive value of psychosocial and metabolic factors for AT recovery. Therefore, via a longitudinal cohort study, I aim to identify predictive psychosocial and metabolic factors influencing the recovery of persistent AT following standard care. Additionally, I will explore new psychosocial themes and metabolic influences via inflammatory pathways using innovative methods, as well as develop a clinical classification model able to identify patients at risk for poor recovery. The final aim of this project is to utilize the newly gathered insights and design a person-centered treatment approach for at-risk patients with AT. This fellowship will allow me to combine my strong background in (chronic) pain and related psychosocial factors, with the leading expertise of my supervisor and host institution on Achilles tendons. In doing so, it will offer me the ideal learning environment to gain meaningful experiences with this population, develop valuable research and transferable skills, and foster long-lasting scientific collaborations. Ultimately, this fellowship will help me establish myself as an independent researcher who can start and lead a novel research line investigating person-centered treatment strategies for AT.