Jona Van Den Broeck

Jona Van Den Broeck is a Mandate assistant in the Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium, actively contributing to research in muscle assessment and rehabilitation through advanced imaging techniques. Her work bridges clinical practice and scientific inquiry with a focus on oncology and musculoskeletal health.

Education

• PhD in Muscle Assessment (2025): Advances in muscle assessment with ultrasound and computed tomography: evaluating muscle quantity and quality in cancer patients and healthy adults
• Master's Thesis (2017): The effect of repetitive playing on muscle activation patterning of the right upper trapezius in conservatory pianists
• Master's Thesis (2016): Vermindert een krachttrainingsprogramma het risico op blessures bij beginnende lopers? (Does a strength training program reduce injury risk in novice runners?)

Research Interests

Her expertise centers on quantitative muscle assessment using ultrasound and computed tomography, establishing normative values for clinical application. Key focus areas include:

• Muscle quantity/quality evaluation in cancer patients (e.g., vertebral muscle variations, cachexia)
• Development of ultrasound protocols for muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo-intensity
• Pain management in patellofemoral disorders using dynamic imaging
• Reliability of field methods for body composition analysis

Publication Trends

Her 14 publications (2020-2025) reveal escalating output since 2023, predominantly in medical imaging and oncology rehabilitation journals. A clear trajectory shows progression from foundational work on normative values (2020-2022) to clinical applications in cancer (2023-2025), with increasing interdisciplinary collaboration (radiology, nutrition, physiotherapy).

Scientific Awards

• ESPEN 2021 Virtual Congress complimentary registration for abstract on skeletal muscle correlations in cancer patients

Advising and Service

She has supervised 7 student works including master's theses on bilateral ultrasound measurements and panoramic imaging reliability. As a peer reviewer for Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, and Scientific Reports, she contributes to scholarly discourse. Her organizational role in the 2024 Body Composition and Medical Imaging Symposium highlights leadership in research dissemination.

Research Environment

Embedded in VUB's Experimental Anatomy research group, she collaborates with the BODY-CONVERT study team on cancer-related body composition. Her work leverages VUB's imaging facilities for CT and ultrasound analysis, with strong ties to clinical departments in oncology and rehabilitation medicine.