
Symposium 2026
Multimodal (p)rehabilitation in patients before and after transplantation: the emerging role of physical activity, lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and psychosocial interventions
Important Data
- Early Bird Deadline 19/12/2025
- Abstract Submission Deadline 27/11/2025
-Notification on Abstract Selection 2/12/2025
Notifications letters will be sent on 2 December 2025. In order to present, authors must register for the symposium on 19 December 2025 the latest.
Programme
Friday 6 February 2026
07:15 Morning walk (start: inner courtyard MTC)
08:00 REGISTRATION & WELCOME
08:30 Pilates in MTC 00.03
08:45 Welcome: Stefan De Smet & Diethard Monbaliu
09:00 SESSION 1:
CHAIR DIETHARD MONBALIU & STEFAN DE SMET
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Redefining transplant success: from organ function to whole person health
Jennifer Lai
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Pre- and rehabiliation in solid organ transplantation, the (new) evidence
Sharlene Greenwood
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Abstract 1: A randomized, controlled, 12-month trial on the effects of an interdisciplinary treatment approach in ESRD patients: The Smart & Fit for Kidney Transplantation Trial (S&F4KTx)
Helge Krusemark
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Abstract 2: The effect of exercise prescription on functional parameters in solid organ transplant recipients: A multicenter study
Duregon F.
10:30 COFFEE BREAK
11:00 SESSION 2:
CHAIR GERALDINE DAHLQVIST - HANNE VAN CRIEKINGE
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Lessons learned from cardiology: lifestyle interventions for secondary prevention in solid organ transplant recipients
Véronique Cornelissen
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Future in motion: educating exercise scientists for clinical innovation
Giorgos Sakkas
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Abstract 3: The impact of exercise professionals on the implementation of intradialytic exercise programmes
Diogo Leal
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Abstract 4: From national policy to clinical practice: early experience with a structured prehabilitation and rehabilitation pathway in liver transplantation
Sofie Leunis

12:30 LUNCH
13:30 SESSION 3:
SESSION 3 (CHAIR JENNIFER LAI - EVA SEGURA-ORTI
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The exercise cure: the surprising science behind health-promoting physical activity
Wim Derave
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Lifestyle intervention and gut microbiota: A new perspective for transplant recipients
Valentina-Totti
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Abstract 5: High subcutaneous adipose tissue density in cirrhotic liver transplant candidates is associated with frailty, malnutrition and sarcopenia
Salomé Declerck
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Abstract 6: Measurement properties evaluation of diaphragm thickening fraction in lung transplant candidates – a pilot study
Hashir Hussain
15:00 COFFEE BREAK
15:30 SESSIE 4:
CHAIR GIORGOS SAKKAS & SABINA DE GEEST
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Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare as tools for prevention and cure: friends or foe?
Maarten De Vos
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The Marathon Journey: What can we learn from/how to use AI to improve, tailor physcial activity and training whilst minimizing injuries ?
Marc de Reu
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Abstract 7: Changes in physical activity in kidney, heart, liver and lung transplant recipients from pre to 10 years post-transplant: The prospective Swiss Transplant Cohort Study
Lieselotte Schoemaker
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Abstract 8: Association of diabetes with sarcopenia in patients on hemodialysis: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Pedro Martins
19:00 Scientific Networking Dinner
@ de optimist Leuven
17:00 The end
Programme
Saturday 7 February 2026
Programme
Saturday 7 February 2026
07:15 Morning walk (start: inner courtyard MTC)
08:30 Pilates in MTC 00.03
08:30 REGISTRATION & WELCOME
08:45 Welcome: Stefan De Smet & Diethard Monbaliu
09:00 SESSION 1: Interaction between lifestyle and psychosocial well-being
CHAIR: YVES VAN BELLEGHEM - SHARLENE GREENWOOD
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From giving to Living and Crossing the Finish Line Together
Fons and Lieselotte Schoenmaker
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Research in Transplantation: 'Let’s focus on health-related quality of life'
Tim Knobbe
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Abstract 9: The impact of modifiable physical and psychological problems on frailty and quality of life in kidney transplant candidates: preliminary results of the PreCareTx-study
Yvonne van der Veen
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Abstract 10: Long-term effects of high-intensity interval training vs moderate-intensity training after heart transplantation: project plan for a 10-year follow-up
Frederikke Tonnaer Liseth
10:30 COFFEE BREAK
11:00 SESSION 2:
Joint satellite symposium with EURORECKD: (p)rehabiliation in CKD and post kidney transplantation
Chair: EURORECKD: Amaryllis Van Craenenbroeck & Evelyn Kouidi
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Effect of physical activity interventions in CKD and after kidney Tx, an update from the Cochrane review
Eva Segura Ortiz
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Why is exercise not integrated in treatment of patients with CKD and on KRT? - Results from the EUSUREX study.
Naomi Clyne
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Exercise and prediabets after renal transplantation, results from a prospective study
E. Porrini
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Prescribing and guiding exercise therapy before and after transplantation: do's and dont’s
J. Viana
12:30 LUNCH
13:30 WORKSHOP 1:
Screening, assesment and intervention in prehabiliation
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Nutrition: N Pauwels & Manou Schouteden
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Psychosocial: Carine Poppe & Ellen Foulon
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Physical fitness: L Schepers, M Segal, and Jaana Meiesaar
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Empowering Behavioral Health in Transplant Care, When ‘I Have To’ Becomes ‘I Want To’"
Wout Van der Borght
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Q&A
13:30 WORKSHOP 2: Rehabilitation
CHAIR JOÃO VIANA & NAOMI CLYNE
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Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Transplantation: From Risk Stratification to (P)Rehabilitation, a new golden standard?
Kaatje Goetschalckx
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The role of the rehabiliation physician in the transplant trajectory
Caroline Redant
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Continued care post-lung & liver transplantation in an independent rehabiliation hospital
Kristel De Paepe, Frederik Lecointere, Manon ’t Kint
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Q&A
15:00 COFFEE BREAK
CHAIR: DIETHARD MONBALIU, ROBIN VOS
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Abstract 11: Clinical and functional prehabilitation effects in patients undergoing major surgery
Marzovillo Raffaella
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Abstract 12: Impact of interdialytic exercise training on miR-30b in hemodialysis: A longitudinal case–control study
Battaglia Yuri
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Lessons learned from the PHOENIX studies for next steps towards real-world translation using implementation science methods
Sabina De Geest, Amaryllis Van Craenenbroeck, Stefan De Smet
16:30 BEST ABSTRACT AWARD
Closing
Time to move: translating belief into evidence-based implementation
Diethard Monbaliu
17:00 The End
Registration
Registration fee
Physician
EARLY BIRD
2 days € 430,00
1 day € 240,00
NORMAL FEE
2 days € 560,00
1 day € 300,00
Allied Healthcare Professional
EARLY BIRD
2 days € 220,00
1 day € 130,00
NORMAL FEE
2 days € 330,00
1 day € 185,00
Transplant recipient
EARLY BIRD
2 days € 30,00
1 day € 30,00
NORMAL FEE
2 days € 40,00
1 day € 40,00
Researcher
EARLY BIRD
2 days € 220,00
1 day € 130,00
NORMAL FEE
2 days € 330,00
1 day € 185,00
Students
EARLY BIRD
2 days € 95,00
1 day € 60,00
NORMAL FEE
2 days € 120,00
1 day € 70,00
Accreditation
Transplantoux ’Time to Move’ Symposium 2026:
Accreditation for physicians and physiotherapists
Abstract & Posters

Directions to Leuven
TRAIN:
Leuven’s railway station is within walking distance of the city centre, so you can continue on foot or, if needed, use local public transport or a taxi.
BUS:
Leuven’s city centre has a very extensive bus network. You can find more information on De Lijn’s website.
ON FOOT OR BY BIKE:
Leuven has a relatively compact centre, and most locations are easy to reach on foot or by bicycle.
Download the map of Leuven here:
https://visitleuven.be/en/city-map
BY CAR:
The nearest public car park is Q-Park Leuven Heilig Hart (Naamsestraat 102, 3000 Leuven).

















