Patients with the metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that lifestyle improvement can offer an effective solution. The HealthBox can make all the difference because it allows you to work on lifestyle improvement in an accessible way.
Everyone with the metabolic syndrome is offered an appropriate treatment program in the home environment within the project. In addition to the LUMC and NeLL, a number of other organizations are involved in the HealthBox: University of Twente, Hogeschool Utrecht, Delft University of Technology, the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), Ancora Health, Unilabs, Pharos and the Diabetes Fund.
Lifestyle improvement
For this project, Prof. Dr. Niels Chavannes and his research team, including senior researchers Dr. Sofie Willems and Dr. Sander van de Hoef, have received a grant from the ‘Care in your own living environment’ program of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). ). A total of six consortia receive a subsidy from the programme. Together they distribute more than fourteen million euros, of which NWO finances more than twelve. Partners contribute more than two million euros.
The HealthBox consists of a virtual coach and home measuring equipment and has been designed in collaboration with patients and healthcare providers. The program links participants to existing local lifestyle activities.
Because the HealthBox is adapted to the wishes and needs of the individual user, it becomes easier to improve one’s own health. Its importance is great. For example, research and clinical practice show that patients who go into surgery fitter have a greater chance of a good and quick recovery, a shorter hospital stay and less chance of complications.
Care in your own living environment
Health and self-reliance is what the ‘Care in your own living environment’ program is all about. This is done through research into further development and the application of technology in one’s own living environment. On the one hand, this technology can contribute to a healthy lifestyle, and on the other hand, because care and support are moved to the home environment.