I am Joshua Samuel R, Physiotherapist, presently working as an Assistant Manager in the Research & Development department of RECOUP Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Centre, India. My core interest subject is into Neuro-physiotherapy, which I achieved partially as Masters in Physiotherapy in Neurology specialization from Dr.MGR Medical University, Chennai, India. The other partial half I am achieving it through my practice areas where I deal majorly in Rehabilitation of Cerebral Palsy kids and adult neurologically deficit individuals like Stroke, Parkinsons and Spinal Cord Injury.
My initial interest in research was gained from my mentor Prof. K. Hariohm during my final year of Post graduation, where I joined as an Independent Researcher with him. Our first research work was on the concept of “Evidence Based Practice among Post Graduate Physiotherapy students in India“. This happened to be really an unforgettable project for me, as this study was accepted in the Evidence Live 13 – International conference, after the study was peer reviewed by the BMJ and CEBM, Oxford University (organisers of the Program).
In addition to this, I obtained a Student Grant from the BMJ and CEBM, Oxford University for presenting my Research paper. To obtain this I was asked to write an article written on the theme “What would be the big change that would happen in the medical field in the next 10 years”. Me and my guide worked upon this and wrote an Artcle on “Enriched Environment – a need in the medical setup“. This article was also accepted by them after being peer reviewed and my Dreamof Presenting at the Oxford University came true on March 25, 2013.
I was very happy to be sharing the space with best Researchers from all over the Globe. Especially with the likes of Fiona Godlee, Carl Heneghan Peter Goetsche, Sally Crowe and Ruth Davis.
After this, the focus of our research was on Stroke rehabilitation. Our key point of interest was on deep knee flexion activities which is a common activity among Asian population. Through this we came up with a study titles: “An RCT Protocol on Efficacy of Deep Knee Flexion Exercises on Improving Activities Involving Deep Knee Flexion and Quality of Life in Persons with Stroke“. This was presented in the Asia Pacific Stroke Conference at Hong Kong, 2013 by one of our colleagues and subsequently got published at the Journal of Cerebrovascular diseases ( Cerebrovasc Dis 2013;36 (suppl 1):1-94 (DOI:10.1159/000353795) ).
I am right now involved in Research activities with my Organization Research Consortium on Educational Outcomes and Poverty (RECOUP) on Cerebral Palsy and other childhood disabilities along with Musculoskeletal disorders and Ergonomics.
Recently, one of the Research paper titled: “Prevalence, risk factors and clinical features of musculoskeletal disorders among Indian Physiotherapist”, in which I contributed as a co-author was presented at the BMJD conference, Brussels, Belgium on November 21, 2013. This paper was one among the six papers which was presented at that conference and the highest number of papers to be presented from a single organisation.
More research projects are underway from me in the field of Evidence based practice, cerebral palsy, musculoskeletal Disorders and ergonomics. I will be updating my progression in my research activities through my Voice space in Physiospot. Hope it will be of useful in day to day practice of our patients who are in need of our rehabilitation service.
Thank You !!