Ethics statement

In the Netherlands, medical research is governed by the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (‘Wet Medisch-wetenschappelijk Onderzoek met mensen'), which is based on the principles of the declaration of Helsinki. This law only applies if study participants are subjected to any action, treatment or behaviour. Written confirmation from the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the Academic Medical Center that the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act was obtained stating that this law does not apply to this study and therefore no official approval was required.