Patients who experience a stroke often face significant consequences that can impact not only their medical condition but also their mental well-being. The Neurology department at ZOL participated in the BIC4stroke project, an initiative by the Clinical Pathways Network KU Leuven. The project's goal was to optimize care processes for stroke patients through a multidisciplinary approach. This included the systematic screening for depression in participating hospitals, such as ZOL.
Within this project, a master's thesis was initiated under the umbrella of TRACE. Under the guidance of academic and clinical supervisors, two students conducted a literature study. Their research focused on the optimal timing for assessing mood complaints after a stroke and potential risk factors that could predict these complaints. The results from the master's thesis offer recommendations for practical implementation in patient care.
The master's theses, completed by Sarah Heidbuchel and Jaryna Zawodny in 2025, were part of a study conducted between 2023 and 2025. Partners in this project included Anouk Peeters (clinical neuropsychologist at ZOL), Hella Thielen, and Céline Gillebert (Department of Brain & Cognition, KU Leuven).
