Dr. Imelda de Groot Award

The goal of the Dr. Imelda de Groot Award is to stimulate clinicians and researchers to develop innovative activities that improve rehabilitation, care, and participation for people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The award highlights the importance of creativity, collaboration, and practical impact in improving daily life for patients and families.

Projects eligible for the award are practical, innovative, and directly applicable. This may involve starting a new project or supporting or further developing an existing initiative. Examples include:

• Practical solutions that improve care, such as easier blood sampling or better orthoses
• Digital or technological innovations, such as an app that encourages physical activity or supports medication use
• Initiatives focused on sports, leisure, and daily functioning
• Improvements in psychosocial support and social participation (such as school, work, or social activities)
• The development of sensors that help measure physical activity more effectively

The Dr. Imelda de Groot Award is an annual initiative by Duchenne Parent Project Netherlands that recognizes outstanding projects or achievements in the field of rehabilitation for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. It is awarded to a person, group, or institution that develops innovative approaches to improve care and participation.

The award is intended to inspire researchers and clinicians worldwide to continue developing impactful rehabilitation initiatives.

Projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Implementation of new scientific findings in daily clinical care
• Pilot studies exploring new healthcare treatments
• Innovative sports initiatives
• Leisure and participation programmes
• Psychosocial care interventions
• Initiatives that improve social participation
• Exploration of new topics in clinical care and rehabilitation

The winner receives a financial contribution of €10,000, intended to initiate a new project or expand an existing initiative.

• Selection by an expert jury, chaired by Dr. Imelda de Groot
• Jury includes experts and patient representatives
• Open to professionals involved in Duchenne care
• Projects must focus on rehabilitation in the broadest sense

The aim is to encourage innovation and practical impact in Duchenne care.

Dr. Imelda de Groot is a retired pediatric rehabilitation specialist from the Radboud University Medical Center. Throughout her career, she initiated several innovative research and care projects in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, including the influential “No use is disuse” project on movement and physical activity.

Her work has had a lasting impact on rehabilitation, outcome measurement, and care innovation. The award named in her honour aims to continue this legacy by encouraging new ideas in the field.