Personal profile
Research areas
In my Ph.D. study, I developed and tested the feasibility of a lifestyle intervention for people with chronic pain that was added to the standard multidisciplinary treatment. The intervention sought to establish a more meaningful and active everyday life for the participants.
My aim for the postdoc period is to generate new evidence on how families with diabetes/prediabetes can reduce sedentary time and improve dieting habits through a hybrid (telehealth/face-to-face) family-based approach to diabetes-friendly everyday life. Since family units as the most habitual environment for people with chronic conditions, I find it meaningful to reach out to the whole family and help different generations improve their health together and in the same intervention. The research involves a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, various healthcare sectors, Danish and international experts, and patient representatives, and follows the current recommendations on the development and conduct of complex interventions.
Research Interests
As a researcher with professional background in occupational therapy and occupational science, I am passionate about investigating human occupations and their impact on health and well-being. I see my mission in helping people improve health and prevent chronicity by incorporating healthy lifestyle into everyday routines and making the new healthier habits manageable and sustainable long-term. I have experience in designing and feasibility testing healthcare interventions, qualitative and quantitative research methods, academic writing, teaching, supervision, and project management.
Education/Academic qualification
Public Health, Ph.D, Occupational therapy lifestyle intervention added to multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment at a Danish pain center, University of Southern Denmark
Jan 2019 → Mar 2022
Award Date: 21. Mar 2022
Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Occupational therapy interventions addressing changes in lifestyle and health behaviour in adults with overweight and obesity - A scoping review, University of Southern Denmark
1. Sept 2015 → 1. Jul 2017
Award Date: 1. Jul 2017
Current external positions
Research unit PROgrez, PROgrez: Patient-Related Objectives: Generating better Rehabilitation, Treatment, Exercise and Diagnostics - Region Zealand
1. Nov 2017 → …
Keywords
- Chronic disases
- Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Science
- Occupational Performance
- Activities of daily living
- Lifestyle modifications
- Changing habits
- Complex interventions
- Tele health
- Inequity in health
- Diabetes
- Changing habits
- Lifestyle modifications
- Family health
- Tele health
- Inequity in health
- Physical Activity
- Healthy Diet
- Treatment of pain
- Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Science
- Activities of daily living
- Lifestyle modifications
- Changing habits
- Occupational Performance
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Researchers
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Research output
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Enhancing personal capacities in families with or at risk of type 2 diabetes: qualitative investigation of the GO EASY intervention
Nielsen, S. S., Agerskov, H., Skou, S. T., Sunddahl, L. D. K., Kjærgaard, E. & Simonÿ, C., 22. Apr 2026, In: BMC Public Health. 26, 12 p., 1303.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Enhancing prevention of Weight Gain: The Balance Study
Christensen, J. R., Nørgaard Remmen, L., Karstensen, J. K., Orologas, S., Locasha, H., Nielsen, S. S., Cruz, J., Holm, S. S., Larsson, E., Connolly, D., McCann, M., Kallestrup, P., Søndergaard, J., Jessen-Winge, C. & Muntefering, C., Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print).Research output: Contribution to conference without publisher/journal › Conference abstract for conference › Research › peer-review
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Physical activity wishes of people with excess body weight - a qualitative systematic review
Christensen, J. R., Baagøe, C., Muntefering, C., Baygi, F., Tepavicharov, N. K., Holm, S. S., Karstensen, J. K., Brandt, C. J., Nielsen, S. S. & Jessen-Winge, C., Dec 2026, In: BMC Public Health. 26, 1, 12 p., 699.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Downloads (Pure) -
Canadian Adaptation of REVEAL(OT) for Chronic Pain Management: Rapid Qualitative Analysis Results
Masse, ., Nielsen, . S., Christensen, . R., Skou, . T., Côté, ., Saunders, ., Lagueux, ., Boulanger, ., Martel, . O., Ware, . A., Lussier, . & Pagé, . G., 15. Dec 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. p. 00084174251394959Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Telehealth-delivered person-centered support to increase physical activity through daily occupations in adults with chronic pain - a feasibility study
Nielsen, S. S., Christensen, J. R., Tang, L. H., Simonÿ, C., Skejø, S. D. & Skou, S. T., Dec 2025, In: Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 45, p. 692-701Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
- 2 Talks and presentations in private or public companies
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Family-centered health behavior modification for the prevention of cardiometabolic risks across generations – Intervention development’
Nielsen, S. S. (Author), Skou, S. T. (Co-author), Dieperink, K. B. (Co-author), Petersen, T. L. (Co-author), Roikjær, S. G. (Co-author), Sunddahl, L. K. (Co-author), Hamborg, T. G. (Co-author), Gæde, P. H. (Co-author), Tang, L. H. (Co-author) & Simonÿ, C. (Co-author)
2. Apr 2025 → 3. Apr 2025Activity: Talks and presentations › Talks and presentations in private or public companies
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Livsstilsændringer ved kroniske smerter – hvad kan ergoterapeuter bidrage med i den tværfaglige behandling, og er det relevant for patienterne?
Nielsen, S. S. (Guest lecturer)
7. Nov 2019Activity: Talks and presentations › Talks and presentations in private or public companies
Projects
- 3 Finished
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GO EASY: GO EASY: Family-based prevention of diabetes through eating habits and physical activity – a feasibility study
Nielsen, S. S. (Project manager), Skou, S. T. (Coordinator), Tang, L. H. (Coordinator) & Simonÿ, C. (Head coordinator)
01/01/2023 → 31/12/2025
Project: Research
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REVEAL(OT): Lifestyle-oriented occupational therapy intervention for patients with chronic non-malignant pain – A Ph.D. study and a post.doc study
Nielsen, S. S. (PI), Skou, S. T. (Project participant), Simonÿ, C. (Project participant), Søndergaard, J. (Project participant) & Christensen, J. R. (Project participant)
01/12/2017 → 31/12/2024
Project: Research
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REVEAL(OT): Lifestyle-oriented occupational therapy intervention for patients with chronic non-malignant pain – A randomized controlled trial
Nielsen, S. S. (PhD student), Christensen, J. R. (Supervisor), Skou, S. T. (Co-supervisor), Søndergaard, J. (Co-supervisor) & Enemark Larsen, A. (Co-supervisor)
01/01/2019 → 31/12/2021
Project: PhD Project
Press/Media
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Ph.d.-studerende: Ergoterapi har plads i smertebehandlingen
15/09/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Teaching & Supervision
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Lifestyle-oriented occupational therapy intervention for patients with chronic non-malignant pain – A randomized controlled trial
Nielsen, S. S., Christensen, J. R., Skou, S. T. & Søndergaard, J. 01/01/2019 → 31/12/2021
Course: Teaching and supervision › Supervision
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Hverdagslivet med non-maligne kroniske smerter
Christensen, J. R. & Nielsen, S. S. 01/01/2019 → 01/07/2019
Course: Teaching and supervision › Supervision