BRUSSELS — UZ Brussel Hospital introduced the Stimulus@home app on Wednesday, a digital platform designed to support patients dealing with long Covid and chronic pain.
The app aims to enhance patients’ resilience and improve their quality of life by offering specialised modules in pain education, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
According to UZ Brussel, the initiative seeks to empower patients to play an active role in their recovery process. By integrating psychological support directly into patients’ care pathways, the app allows them to progress at their own pace, supported by medical follow-up.
Access to Stimulus@home will be granted after a medical consultation to ensure that patients receive personalised and appropriate care.
Empowering Patients Through Education and Therapy
The Stimulus@home app’s modules are designed for home use, allowing patients to work on their mental resilience and resistance in a flexible manner.
The pain education component aims to provide patients with a better understanding of chronic pain mechanisms, helping them manage symptoms more effectively.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, a widely used approach for managing chronic pain and anxiety, is also included to help patients identify and modify negative thought patterns.
Acceptance and commitment therapy, another key element of the app, focuses on helping patients accept both positive and negative experiences while encouraging them to identify personal values and act accordingly.
UZ Brussel emphasised that this approach helps patients build a balanced outlook, which is crucial for managing long-term conditions like chronic pain and long Covid.
Supporting Long Covid Recovery
Long Covid, characterised by prolonged symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive difficulties, has posed significant challenges for patients and healthcare providers alike.
UZ Brussel’s new app is part of a broader effort to address these challenges by offering accessible psychological support to those struggling with persistent symptoms.
By incorporating modules that focus on both mental and physical aspects of recovery, Stimulus@home aims to help patients gradually resume daily activities.
The hospital highlighted that the app’s flexibility allows patients to integrate these therapeutic exercises into their routines without the need for frequent in-person visits.
A Step Towards Integrated Care
The launch of Stimulus@home reflects a growing trend in healthcare to blend digital tools with traditional treatment methods, particularly for managing chronic conditions.
UZ Brussel stated that the app’s holistic approach is intended to complement existing medical treatments, not replace them.
By giving patients the tools to manage their symptoms at home, the hospital hopes to reduce the burden on outpatient services while enhancing the overall effectiveness of treatment. Medical professionals at UZ Brussel will continue to monitor patients’ progress and adjust their care plans as needed.
The introduction of Stimulus@home comes at a time when healthcare systems worldwide are exploring new ways to manage the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With a focus on building resilience and self-management skills, UZ Brussel’s latest initiative may serve as a model for other institutions looking to integrate digital health solutions into their patient care strategies.
