Dr D. Bertens (Dirk)

Principal investigator - Donders Centre for Cognition
Assistant professor - Donders Centre for Cognition
Principal investigator - Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour
Assistant professor - Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour
Assistant professor - Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology

Contact

d.bertens@donders.ru.nl

To LinkedIn

Visiting address

Thomas van Aquinostraat 4
6525 GD NIJMEGEN

Postal address

Postbus 9104
6500 HE NIJMEGEN

Dirk Bertens works as a clinical neuropsychologist at Klimmendaal Rehabilitation Specialists (Arnhem). His work primarily focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with brain injury and neurological disorders. Within his research group on Cognitive Rehabilitation, scientific research centers on the *errorless learning* method and the development and validation of innovative digital strategy training programs for people with brain injuries or other neurological conditions. In addition, he is assistent professor at the Department of Neuro- and Rehabilitation Psychology at Radboud University. He teaches courses in both the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Health Care Psychology and coordinates the skills training course in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.

Research theme

Development and lifelong plasticity

Research group

Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology

Tags: neuropsychology, errorless learning, cognitive rehabilitation

Publications

Key publications

Bertens, D., Kessels, R.P.C., Fiorenzato, E., Boelen, D.H.E. & Fasotti, L. (2015). Do old errors always lead to new truths? A randomized controlled trial of errorless goal management training in brain-injured patients. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 21 (8), 639-649. doi: 10.1017/S1355617715000764 Full text
Nauta, I.M., Bertens, D., Fasotti. L., Fieldhouse J., Uitdehaag, B.M.J., Kessels, R.P.C., Speckens, A.E.M. & De Jong, B.A. (2023). Cognitive rehabilitation and mindfulness reduce cognitive complaints in multiple sclerosis (REMIND-MS): a randomized controlled trial. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 71 (104529). Full text
Verhoog, E.M., Fasotti, L., Kessels, R.P.C., & Bertens, D. (in press). Compensatory strategy training versus computerized restorative function training for adults in the chronic stage after acquired brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychology Review.
Pilon, L., Frankenmolen, N.F., Van der Zijp, J., Kessels R.P.C. & Bertens, D. (2023). A short add-on sleep intervention in the rehabilitation of individuals with acquired brain injury: A randomized controlled trial. NeuroRehabilitation 53 (3), 323-334.
Mulder, S.F., Bertens, D., Desar, I.M.E., Vissers, K.C.P., Mulders, P.F.A., Punt, C.J.A., Van Spronsen, D.-J., Langenhuijsen, J.F., Kessels, R.P.C. & Van Herpen, C.M.L. (2014). Impairment of cognitive functioning during sunitinib or sorafenib treatment in cancer patients: a cross sectional study. BMC Cancer, 14:219. Full text

Publication lists

Research grants and prizes

Projects

2019 - 2025 Karman Line: digital extension to cognitive strategy training for the treatment of individuals with brain injury (Project leader en co-promotor). This project entails the development and examination of the feasibility and efficacy of a set of innovative combined digital and face-to-face training programs for use in the neuropsychological treatment of brain-injured individuals. It is a collaboration between the Radboud University, Rehabilitation Center Klimmendaal and three game developers. PhD candidates: Elise Verhoog, MSc and Amy Abelmann, MSc. More information
2020 - 2025 Errorless learning in Parkinson’s disease (co-promotor). This project focuses on integrating the *Errorless Learning* method into the existing *Goal Management Training* program and examining its effectiveness in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The training was developed (Bertens et al., 2015) to (re)teach everyday activities to people experiencing executive function difficulties, which are common in Parkinson’s disease. PhD candidate: Fleur Budde, MSc. More information
2023 - 2027 Diagnostic labour assessment in brain disorders: back to work! (co-promotor). People with a brain disorder often experience reduced capacity and cognitive difficulties. However, it is not yet clear how these problems affect work performance and what this means for reintegration. This research project focuses on developing a Labour assessment (ADIO). This assessment provides a standardized way to identify the needs of both patients and (healthcare) professionals. The ADIO offers insight into how well individuals with a brain disorder are able to perform their work and how much workload they can handle. PhD candidate: Ruth van Asselt, MSc. More information
2024 - 2030 Cognitive reserve in recovery after brain injury (co-promotor). Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the brain’s ability to resist damage or age-related decline. Individuals with higher CR are better able to maintain their cognitive functioning in the presence of brain injury or neurodegeneration. Factors such as education, occupational complexity, and intellectual activity contribute to building this reserve. In acquired brain injury (ABI), rehabilitation increasingly focuses on compensating for impairments rather than restoring lost functions. Since not all patients benefit equally from standardized treatment, there is growing interest in more personalized approaches. This PhD project focuses on the role of cognitive reserve in recovery and compensatory capacity in individuals with brain injury. PhD candidate: Lauret Geurts, MSc.
2023 - 2027 Digital cognitive strategy training for memory complaints after brain injury (co-promotor). The subject of the PhD project is the diagnostics and rehabilitation of memory disorders in the chronic phase of acquired brain injury, in which functional recovery of residual memory disorders is no longer expected. The first study will focus on adequate mapping of memory complaints. The second study will focus on identifying spontaneous strategy use and associated factors in brain-injured individuals. In the third study a stimulus equivalence learning paradigm will be used to examine whether patients with brain injury are impaired in stimulus equivalence learning compared to healthy controls. In the fourth study, the effect of a new memory strategy training will be evaluated. This strategy training contains an innovative digital environment where patients can practice memory strategies. The results of the studies in this PhD project will contribute directly and indirectly to improved diagnostics and treatment of memory disorders after brain injury. PhD candidate: Edo Grevers, MSc.

Dr D. Bertens (Dirk)

Publications

Research grants and prizes

Projects

Teaching

Media mentions

Ancillary activities