Anneleen Malfliet

Anneleen Malfliet is a postdoctoral researcher and Pain in Motion UZB Researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy. Her work focuses on chronic pain management, particularly exploring the interplay between pain, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions. She leads projects such as the 'Painless Lifestyle Network' and the 'StepUp-project,' investigating cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in chronic spinal pain patients.

Her research interests include chronic pain mechanisms, central sensitization, and the role of diet and exercise in pain management. She has supervised multiple Master’s theses and is actively involved in clinical trials, including the PREMEO trial for osteoarthritis. Malfliet has received prestigious awards, including membership in the Belgian Young Academy and the EOS Pipet award, recognizing her contributions to pain science.

Her recent publications emphasize systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials addressing topics like body composition in chronic low back pain, white matter structure changes with therapy, and dietary impacts on pain sensitivity. She collaborates internationally, presenting at conferences and contributing to workshops on pain education and sleep management.

Malfliet’s research integrates multidisciplinary approaches, bridging neuroscience, physical therapy, and behavioral medicine. She advocates for personalized lifestyle interventions and has been featured in media discussions on pain management and public health.