Individuals undergoing cancer treatment sometimes experience lasting difficulties with concentration, planning, and memory. Scientific research, including that from KU Leuven, confirms that these cognitive complaints are real and linked to changes in brain activity. Factors such as inflammation, fatigue, stress, and sleep also play a role. To address this, the Claro app has been developed.
Claro offers users a personalized path to work on their specific challenges. The app combines educational modules with practical exercises and tips on healthy eating, sleep, well-being, and memory strategies. It includes recipes and exercises for movement, mindfulness, and breathing. The development was a close collaboration with patients, healthcare providers, and experts from KU Leuven and UZ Leuven, drawing expertise from fields like integrative oncology, nutrition, exercise, and psycho-oncology.
The app was inspired by the personal experience of Sabine Deprez, who underwent breast cancer treatment over twenty years ago. The persistent cognitive effects motivated her scientific research at KU Leuven. Together with Rik Peetermans and Dieter Jeanty from Digital Framework, an initial prototype was built. Financial support of €141,257 from the innovation platform Smart Hub of the province of Vlaams-Brabant enabled further development and the realization of the app. The Albert Fund will also support a pilot study.
Gunther Coppens, deputy for economy, highlighted its innovative value: "With this subsidy, we support an innovative Flemish-Brabant health project that translates scientific knowledge into concrete help for people during or after cancer treatment."
In the coming months, the app will be further expanded with new content, including daily 'healthy moments' in the form of short videos sharing exercises or tips. In the long term, Claro may also offer broader support during and after cancer treatment. The app is available for free to patients thanks to the support of the vzw K.R. Integratieve Oncologie. Other users pay a one-time fee of €29.90.
