Living with neck or back pain that disturbs your sleep?

Living with neck or back pain that disturbs your sleep?

Researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) are running a new study to find out whether a stepped-care approach to online sleep therapy works as well as standard treatment for people living with chronic neck or back pain.

If you're interested in taking part, click below to fill in your contact details, and a member of the study team will be in touch.

Chronic pain and poor sleep often go hand in hand and make each other worse. Sleep therapy is the most effective treatment for insomnia, but it's not always easy to access. The StepUp study is testing whether a step-by-step model can help more people, sooner.

Chronic pain and poor sleep often go hand in hand and make each other worse. Sleep therapy is the most effective treatment for insomnia, but it's not always easy to access. The StepUp study is testing whether a step-by-step model can help more people, sooner.

Who can take part?

Who can take part?

You may be eligible to take part if you:

  • are aged 18 to 65

  • live in Belgium

  • experience chronic neck pain or back pain (lasting more than 3 months)

  • have sleep problems or daytime fatigue

  • are willing to follow 10 weeks of online sleep therapy

What's involved?

What's involved?

If you decide to take part you will be asked to:

  • complete online questionnaires about your sleep, pain and wellbeing

  • carry out a home sleep measurement using a simple headband device

  • follow 10 weeks of online sleep therapy with videos, exercises, and online sessions with a sleep therapist

  • take part in four assessments spread over approximately 14 months

We'd love to hear from you!

If you think you might be eligible and you're interested in taking part, click below to leave us your contact information, and a member of the study team will get in touch with you.

Deze studie werd beoordeeld en goedgekeurd door een ethische commissie.

We'd love to hear from you!

If you think you might be eligible and you're interested in taking part, click below to leave us your contact information, and a member of the study team will get in touch with you.

Deze studie werd beoordeeld en goedgekeurd door een ethische commissie.

We'd love to hear from you!

If you think you might be eligible and you're interested in taking part, click below to leave us your contact information, and a member of the study team will get in touch with you.

Deze studie werd beoordeeld en goedgekeurd door een ethische commissie.

Alle rechten voorbehouden. Copyright 2026.

Alle rechten voorbehouden. Copyright 2026.