Workshops - 23 April 2024

    12:00 - 17:30

    • Levent Özçakar

      This 1/2-day course will comprise theoretical and practical training on ultrasound examination of the upper limb joints i.e. shoulder, elbow and wrist/hand. Starting with basic principals, the participants will be able to follow lectures on joint scanning, exemplary pathologies as well as pertinent interventions. During the hands-on practical sessions, they will image normal subjects in groups of 6-7 participants per station i.e 1 instructor and 1 ultrasound machine.

      Limited space

      Fee: 40€

      Biography - Levent Özçakar

      • Professor at Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
      • Main areas of interest include musculoskeletal ultrasonography and scientific publishing.
        Authored over 740 publications in various international journals indexed by SCI/SCI-Exp. Reviewer for 93 international journals indexed by SCI/SCI-Exp.
      • Editor, Joint Diseases and Related Surgery
      • Associate Editor, European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
      • Book Editor, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Sonographic Atlas for Common Musculoskeletal Pathologies, Ultrasound Imaging and Guidance for Musculoskeletal Interventions in PRM
      • Founder & President, TURK-MUSCULUS, EURO-MUSCULUS, WORLD-MUSCULUS, TURK-MUS
      • USPRM,  ISarcoPRM, Special Interest Scientific Committee of ESPRM on Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

    12:00 - 13:30

    • Rajiv Reebye, Serdar Kocer, Klemen Grabljevec

      Participants will practice the ultrasound assisted muscle localisation technique for botulin injections in neck, upper limb and lower limb.

      Biography - Serdar Kocer

      Serdar Koçer is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Jura Hospital in Switzerland, Head of the Rehabilitation Centre, and a member of the Jura Hospital's executive board. He obtained his specialist title in France in 1993 where he worked until 2015 in different structures in the field of neurorehabilitation. He trained very early in diagnostic and interventional ultrasound and obtained his first ultrasound certificate in 1993 in Paris. He also obtained his certification in manual medicine and neuropsychological rehabilitation. He trained and then directed the urodynamics laboratory and the gait laboratory.  Serdar Kocer is president of ISNeReM (Society of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine) and director of Toxin Academy, which organises training in anatomy for botulinum toxin injection treatment, and director of MSK Ultrasound Academy, which organises training in interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound. He is a member of the French and Swiss PRM Societies, the Swiss Neurorehabilitation Society and the Swiss MDS.

      Limited space

      Fee: 40€

    • Iuly Treger, AnuYoga – Iyengar 

      AnuYoga Workshop proposes integrating Iyengar yoga into rehab facilities. Iyengar yoga emphasizes precise poses to connect body and mind. The first part of this 2 hours workshop will teach rehab staff yoga as a tool to manage burnout. Participants will take a practical yoga class to experience immediate boosts in energy, vitality, and focus. Second part of the workshop will present case studies demonstrating yoga's rehab benefits for orthopedic, respiratory, and neurological patients when integrated into multidisciplinary rehab teams. Experienced AnuYoga teachers will lead discussion and Q&A. The goal is to demonstrate yoga as a simple yet powerful rehabilitative method.

      Limited space

      Fee:40€

      Shai Kaplan's life was transformed when she discovered Iyengar yoga while traveling in India after surviving brain tumor surgery that left her visually impaired. Under the guidance of the master B.K.S. Iyengar she experienced profound healing through yoga practice. She became a certified Iyengar teacher and returned to Israel to share her knowledge, establishing a yoga therapy programs in medical settings. The ability of Iyengar Yoga to understand the relation of the way we practice and the effect on body and mind made the program very successful for the patients and the medical stuff.

    • Minna Ståhl, Zala Kuret, Nika Bolle

      In this workshop, we will introduce three cases of persistent pain in a child, an adolescent/young adult, and an adult. Different aspects and options of a biopsychosocial approach that apply to chronic pain management in patients at various stages in life are introduced. We will discuss assessment of pain and functioning in a holistic way, importance of pain education, individualized treatment and rehabilitation plan with a variety of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options, importance of peer support etc.. The workshop invites participants to interact both through smartphones and live discussions. Participants can also ask questions about their own patients with persistent pain.

      Biography - Minna Ståhl

        Minna Ståhl is a Finnish PRM physician with a degree in advanced pain medicine. She did her PhD on non-specific neck pain in children and adolescent populations. She has more than 20 years of clinical experience in management of persistent pain in children, adolescents, and adults.  Minna is the founder and the current leader of Finnish Centre for Children and Adolescent Pain Management and Research in HUS New Children’s hospital, which is the leading public tertiary hospital in Finland. Her paediatric pain team consists of 17 multiprofessional member working inter- and transdisciplinary way in all types of pain. Minna is also a Finnish delegate in ESPRM and UEMS PRM, and a co-leader of the ESPRM SISC for PRM in Children.


        Biography - Zala Kuret

        Zala Kuret is a Slovenian PRM physician. She has been the head of the Outpatient department at the University rehabilitation institute Republic of Slovenia since 2020. Her main clinical focus is on treating patients with chronic pain and fibromyalgia. In the scope of the Outpatient clinic a team of different health professionals has established an interdisciplinary program for treating patients with chronic pain. Beside clinical work Zala is also the president of the Slovenian PRM society and the national manager for the PRM residents. 


        Biography - Nika Bolle

        Nika Bolle is a Slovenian clinical psychologist. She leads an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team that specializes in chronic pain management in adult patients at the University Rehabilitation Institute Republic of Slovenia. Currently she is developing a new health programme for late adolescents and young adults with chronic non-malignant pain. She is involved in a multi-year project implementing interdisciplinary chronic pain management in Slovenian primary healthcare. Her other clinical work includes patient selection in spinal cord stimulation. 



        Fee: 20€

      • Moderator: Prof. Dr. Gulseren Akyuz

        • Importance of EMG in PMR practice- how to order and report? - Prof Dr Gulseren Akyuz (15 minutes)
        • Radiculopathies, when and why EMG? - Assoc. Prof.  Dr. Esra Giray (15 minutes)
        • Is EMG grading meaningful in entrapment neuropathies? - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozge Kenis-Coskun  (15 minutes)
        • Peripheral neuropathies- Prof. Dr. Evrim Karadag-Saygi  (15 minutes)
        • Case-based discussion (Gulseren Akyuz, Evrim Karadag-Saygi, Esra Giray, Ozge Kenis-Coskun) (30minutes)


        Prof. Dr. Gulseren Akyuz

        Current Positions:
        - Director of PM&R Outpatient Clinic and Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory at SANTE Medical Center, Istanbul, TURKEY
        - Senior Professor in Marmara University School of Medicine, Dept of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Division of Pain Medicine/Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory/Osteoporosis Unit, Istanbul, TURKEY

        International Awards and Positions:
        - Lifetime Fellowship given by UEMS- 2022
        - Haim Ring Memorial Award Individual given by ISPRM- 2021
        - Sydneylicht Lectureship Award given by ISPRM- 2009

        Job Experience:
        - President of MFPRM (2015-2019)
        - President of EFRR (2013-2015)
        - President of Turkish Society of PMR (2010-2013)
        - Representative Member of Turkish Society of PMR in ISPRM (2007-2020)

        Esra Giray, MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist

        Educational Background 

        Cerrahpasa University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey

        Job Experience
        - Residency at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Marmara University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey (2011-2016)
        - Assistant Professor at Koc University School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2020-2021)
        - Associate Professor at University of Health Sciences Fatih Sultan Mehmet Research and Training Hospital (2021 – current position)

        Special Interest Areas
        - Neuropediatric Rehabilitation 
        - Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
        - Botulinum toxin injection and phenol blocks for spasticity management
        - Electrophysiology
        - Dysphagia Rehabilitation
        - Prosthetics and Orthotics, Amputee Rehabilitation
        - Medical statistics, Designing a Scientific Research Project and Scientific Manuscript Writing

        Memberships 
        - Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 
        - European Forum for Research in Rehabilitation (EFRR)
        - Mediterranean Forum of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (MFPRM)
        - International Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ISPRM)
        - The International Society of Lymphology (ISL)

        Özge Keniş Coşkun, MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist

        Educational Background 
        University: Marmara University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey

        Job Experience
        - Residency at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Marmara University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey (2011-2015)
        - UEMS Summer School of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Riga Latvia (2014)
        - Assistant Professor: Marmara University Medical Faculty (2017-2021)
        - Associate Professor : Marmara University Medical Faculty (2021 – current position)

        Special Interest Areas
        - Musculoskeletal ultrasound
        - Electrophysiology
        - Intraarticular injections 
        - Botulinum toxin applications
        - Dry needling applications
        - Neurological rehabilitation 
        - Pulmonary rehabilitation

        Memberships 
        - International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM)
        - European Forum for Rehabilitation in Research (EFRR)
        - Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (TSPMR)
        - Mediterranean Forum of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (MFPRM)

        Evrim Karadağ Saygı, MD, Msc, Professor

        Educational Background 
        - University: Marmara University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey

        Job Experience
        - Associate Professor: Marmara University School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
        - Professor: Marmara University School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2016-current position)

        Special Interest Areas
        - Neuropediatric Rehabilitation 
        - Botulinum toxin injection and intrathecal baclofen pump for spasticity management
        - Electrophysiology
        - Pulmonary rehabilitation
        - Prosthetics and Orthotics

        Memberships 
        - Vice President of European Forum for Research in Rehabilitation (EFRR)
        - Vice President of Turkish Society of Pediatric Rehabilitation 
        - International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM)
        - Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 
        - Mediterranean Forum of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (MFPRM)

        Certification
        - UEMS Board
        - Turkish National Board

      14:00 - 15:30

      • Biography - Ruud Selles

        Ruud Seles is a full professor at the Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, working for the departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Plastic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgery. He obtained his MSc in Human Movement Science in Amsterdam, his PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine from the Erasmus University Rotterdam and did a postdoctoral fellowship at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, USA.

        Ruud Selles holds a chair on data-driven treatment with a particular interest in upper extremity surgery and rehabilitation. His research focuses on innovative approaches to understanding treatment effectiveness and diagnostic accuracy by collecting clinical data and analyzing it using statistical and data science techniques. To do so, his group 1) develops smart collection approaches for real-world clinical data to measure treatment effects and study prognostic markers in daily clinical practice, 2) performs comparative effectiveness studies with real-world clinical data to analyze variability in treatment effect and compare treatment options, and 3) develops clinical prediction models to evaluate and predict differences in individual responses to treatment. Ruud Selles published >250 peer-reviewed international publications, received numerous grants, and is the scientific manager of the Horizon 2020 PREPARE project. 

        Biography - Jorrit Slaman

        Jorrit Slaman is an advisor on datadriven medicine at Rijndam Rehebilitation in Rotterdam. He obtained his MSc in Human Movement Science in Amsterdam and his PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine from the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Rijndam Rehabilitation Center has the ambition to become a data-driven organization. In this process, Jorrit is involved in selecting outcome measures, constructing and implementing measurement tracks, and the feedback of this data to patients, healthcare professionals, managers, and external stakeholders. He is a member of the Scientific Board of the Dutch Rehabilitation Association initiative on outcome registration.






        Biography - Rutger Osterthun

        Rutger Osterthun is a PRM physician and senior researcher in the field of spinal cord injury at the Rijndam Rehabilitation Center and the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of the Erasmus Medical Center. After obtaining his PhD in 2018 on “Outcomes after spinal cord injury” he is responsible for the research line on spinal cord injury which focuses on improving mobility with innovative solutions to improve both daily functioning as well as health. He initiated several research projects, including evaluation of regional health care pathways, ambulatory behavior, gait diagnostics and development and evaluation of new technological devices to improve mobility. He obtained a position as fellow of the European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2019. Since 2023, he is a member of the Executive Committee of the European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

        Fee: 20€

      • João Pinheiro

        • João Pinheiro, Pedro Lemos: Introduction
          Current elements of the topic and epidemiological references are presented.
        • Pedro Figueiredo: Anatomical and functional concepts
          Aspects related to structure, vascular and innervation characteristics and their relationship with meniscus function are presented. Topics in degenerative process of meniscus as well as the impact in functionality.
        • João Paulo Branco: Clinical diagnosis
          The clinical examination of the degenerative meniscus, the specificity and sensitivity of the tests are presented. We also described the diagnostic correlation between clinical manoveurs and imaging.
        • Lurdes Rovisco : Program definition and validation
          We present the clinical validation methodology of this program, through the intervention of experts supported by individual experience and the best evidence.
        • João Pinheiro: Rehabilitation program 
          The different phases of the rehabilitation program are presented, organized into weeks and objectives. Pain and inflammation, joint mobility, muscle strength, prorioception and aerobic condition are mentioned as main intervention areas. The importance of counseling and access to information is also described.
        • Discussion and conclusions

        Fee: 20€

      • Nikolaos Barotsis

        • Welcome and introduction
        • SW technology and mechanism of action - N. Barotsis
        • Current evidence on Indications & contraindications - A. Ilieva
        • Therapeutic challenges and dilemmas - N. Barotsis 
        • Q&A -
        • Demo and Hands-on -  The participants will be divided in 2 groups and rotate to the next station after 20 minutes.
        • RC tendinopathy & myofascial pain syndrome - N. Barotsis
        • Plantar Fasciitis & Achilles tendinopathy - A. Ilieva

        Fee: 40€

      • Performing reviews can be beneficial for young clinicians and researchers.

        In this workshop, we will give short presentations on the procedure of peer review, the pitfalls and the advantages.

        Most of the workshop will be in an interactive form in which different articles or sections will be presented and discussed with the participants. In this way, they learn how to conduct a review.

        Knowing how to do a review will also support young researchers in improving their writing skills.

        Biography - prof. Henk Stam

        Prof. Henk Stam MD, PhD, FRCP (1953) was Head and Chair of the Department of  Rehabilitation Medicine since 1994 until September 2018 at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

        He is past president of the European Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and founder and past president of the European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

        Henk Stam has an interest in objective long-term measurement of activities, posture and movement, physiology of exercise and inactivity, spasticity and shockwave medicine.
        In 2012 he was editor in chief of the book “Acute Medical Rehabilitation”, Volume I (also in Chinese and Rumanian translation).

        In 2013 he received the Sidney Licht Lectureship Award of International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

        Since 2016 he is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, the official journal of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

        In 2017 he was co-founder of Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine -Clinical Communications, a journal that publishes papers with specific interest for clinicians instead of researchers.

        In 2018 he published an educational book “Dilemmas in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine”.

        He is (co) author of more than 300 research papers in peer reviewed journals and he supervised 48 PhD projects.

        He was was the President of the European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2019-2023.

        Currently he is medical director of a chain of clinics for hand – and wrist rehabilitation and runs a private practice for musculo-skeletal conditions


        No Fee

      • Christina-Anastasia Rapidi and Belgin Erhan 

        • Preventing SCI - Introduction 5min (Prof.Belgin Erhan)
        • Preventing complications following SCI, Acute phase (Xiaolei Hu) 15min
        • Preventing complications following SCI, Sub-acute phase: highlighting muscle & bone health (As.Prof. Yannis Dionyssiotis) 15min
        • Preventing complications following SCI, Chronic phase: prevention of pressure injury (Martin Donhauser) 15min
        • Discussion 10min


        Biography Belgin Erhan

        Professor Belgin Erhan is the Head Physcian at PMR Department of Istanbul Medeniyet University, School of Medicine  

        She is the Chair of International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) Prevention Committee since 2021 and a Board Member of ISCoS. She is also a fellow at ISCoS 

        Prof. Erhan received her MD degree and completed her residency at Istanbul University in 1989 and 1995 respectively. In 1993 she worked as a visiting resident at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center as a part of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Multicampus PMR Residency Programme. 

        For the last 25 years, she has been writing, publishing and presenting her experiences, observations and trials about the rehabilitation of patients with severe neurological disorders especially SCI and related topics. 

        Produced more than 200 articles for national and international peer review journals. Edited five books in the field of spinal cord injury rehabilitation and spasticity management.

        Fee: 20€

      16:00 - 17:30

      • 1. The importance of ISNCSCI before urodynamics. (highlighting conus medullaris or cauda equina syndrome) - Metka Moharić


        Picture1

        Assist. Prof. Metka Moharić, MD; PhD is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist working at the University rehabilitation institute of Republic of Slovenia Soča as Medical Director in the head of Rehabilitation Engineering Department. She is also working at the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Faculty of Medicine in University of Ljubljana Her special interests include diagnostics of peripheral nerve lesions with electromyography and quantitative sensory testing and the diagnostics of neurogenic bladder with urodynamic studies. Working as the head of Rehabilitation Engineering Department she is also active in the field of assistive technology.




        2. The importance of blood pressure monitoring, why and when during the care pathway of persons with SCI. (highlighting NLUT and sexual life dysfunction) - Pierre Denys


        Picture2

        Pierre DENYS is professor of physical Medecine and Rehabilitation at the medical school of Paris Saclay and head of the Neuro Urology and Andrology Unit within the department of physical Medecine at Raymond Poincaré hospital in Garches (west suburb of Paris). His medical activity is mainly dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of neuro urological complications of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis. He published more than 250 full papers in peer reviews journal. He was the general secretary and past president of the GENULF (international French speaking group of research in Neuro urology) and served as member of Neuro Urology promotion committee of the international continence society ICS. His research focused on innovative treatments in neuro urology and was PI of several phase 2 and 3 international studies.




        3. The importance of long-term follow-up of NLUTD (highlighting deterioration of lower urinary tract and newly added restrictions in functionality) - Christina Anastasia Rapidi

        Case presentations with interactive discussion on urodynamics, diagnosis of the specific neurogenic bladder dysfunction, management, and follow-up.

        Biography Christina Anastasia Rapidi, MD, PhD, LFEBPRM

        Picture3

        ORCID iD:  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3340-1444

        Current position: Head of PRM Department of the General Hospital “G.Gennimatas” (NHS) in Athens, Greece, a training department for the PRM specialty. Since 2008 certified European Board Trainer in PRM. Secretary of International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS). Head of the Special Interest Scientific Committee of ESPRM for SCI. President of the Hellenic SCI section of the Hellenic Society of PRM, an affiliated member of ISCoS. Associated editor of Spinal Cord Series and Cases. Member of the Neuro-urology promotion committee of the International Continence Society (ICS). Special interests: neurorehabilitation, spinal cord injury, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, spasticity, pain, pelvic floor rehabilitation.




        4.Case report 1 (a case of cervical SCI revealing “ethical” and “long-term” problems of choosing the bladder emptying method) - Antonios Kontaxakis

        Picture4

        Dr.Antonios Kontaxakis is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician working in the 414 Military Hospital, Athens Greece, trained in the PMR dept of General Hospital of Athens "G.Gennimatas". Special interest in spinal cord injury, sexual rehabilitation and autonomic disorders including neurogenic bowel & bladder and cardiovascular impairment. Due to the pandemic, have increasingly been dealing with Long Covid and related post-infectious conditions such as ME/CFS, POTS, MCAS.

        Member of ISCoS, ICS, ESSM, ESPRM & ISPRM.




        5.Case report 2 (a case of incomplete SCI revealing problems of patients’ compliance and increased risk of complications due to combined methods of bladder emptyind, i.e. IC and “voluntary” voiding) - Angeliki Galata

        Picture5

        Dr. Angeliki Galata, Senior Fellow of European Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PRM), is consultant in PRM dept. of the National Rehabilitation Center (Ilion, Athens) and head of the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction outpatient clinic. She holds a Ph.D. thesis on “The assessment of pelvic floor muscle training in women with stress incontinence”. She is elected member of the Neurological Rehabilitation section of the Hellenic Society of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and member of the International Continence Society (ICS), the International Spinal Cord Injury Society (ISCoS), and the European and International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ESPRM and ISPRM).



        6.Case report 3 (a case of cauda equina lesion revealing problems of patients’ compliance and “long-term” problems of deterioration of the upper urinary tract due to Crede or Valsava as preferred method by the patient) - Ana Saksida

        Picture6

        Dr. Ana Saksida is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist working at the University rehabilitation institute of Republic of Slovenia Soča (URI Soča), Department for rehabilitation of patients with spinal lesions. Her special interests include autonomic disorders in patients with spinal cord injuries, especially neurogenic bowel and bladder. She holds a Certificate in Urodynamics (from Bristol Urological Institute) and regularly performs urodynamic examinations at the Institute.





        Fee:40€

      • Clinical diagnostics for sciatica patients (1,5 hour)

        • Introduction. Clinical examination for radiculopathy. Professor Olavi Airaksinen (Kuopio, Finland)
        • Normative values of spinal cord displacement for leg raise test.
        • Reduced Spinal Cord Movement With the Straight Leg Raise Test in Patients With Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation and normalization after 1,5 years follow-up.  Associate Professor Marinko Rade (Rovinj, Croatia).
        • Extending the straight leg raise test for improved clinical evaluation of sciatica: validity and diagnostic performance with reference to the magnetic resonance imaging
        • Conclusion. PhD Janne Pesonen (Kuopio, Finland) 

        In this our workshop, we are presenting clinical and experimental data elucidating the quantification of neural movements within the vertebral canal through non-invasive methodologies, and presenting clinical prognostic models integrating this knowledge.

        These movements exhibit predictability, consistency, and hold potential for the development of robust clinical prognostic models.

        Validated in clinical environments, these models demonstrate substantial high validity and strong association with both lumbar disc herniation and nerve root compression seen in the MRI. 

        Importantly, they offer a novel approach for identifying prevalent 'false positive' MRI outcomes in control cohorts. 

        This workshop underscores the paramount significance of thorough clinical examinations over reliance on advanced diagnostic imaging technologies. 

        Olavi Airaksinen (Kuopio, Finland)
        MD PhD, Senior Consultant of Kuopio University Hospital. Professor of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) in University of Eastern Finland.

        Clinical work I have done from 1980´s at Kuopio University Hospital. Since 1988 I have been the main supervisor for PMR education at Kuopio University Hospital and University of Eastern Finland (former Kuopio University).

        I have published 209 Original articles (published or accepted for publication) in peer reviewed indexed International Journals, over 50 other articles or review articles in International Journals and eight review articles in Finnish Journals, over 30 chapters of books and  60 other publications and over 300 communications in International Medical Congresses concerning of the following topics: spinal stenosis,  pain management, treatment of oedema, diagnostics and treatment of low back pain, diagnostics and treatment of sports injuries and the use of surface EMG as measurement of muscle fatigue and muscular activity. 

        I have been also a referee over ten peer -reviewed Medical Journals. Until now I have supervised 31 Thesis for PhD exams.

        My special Interest areas are Back Pain, in generally Pain and Sports medicine.


        Marinko Rade (Rovinj, Croatia, Kuopio, Finland)

        Research Advisor and Scientist (Finland, Croatia, United Kingdom): carrying +2 million EUR EU-funded research projects on regeneration of intervertebral discs by memory-depleted stem cells, supervisor of PhD students, winner of international scientific awards and the National Award for Science given by the Croatian Parliament. Envisioned and authored the lines of research in neuroradiology and neurophysiology carried at the Department of PRM and presented in this workshop. Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neuroscience at Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek (Croatia), Pula University (Croatia), Department for Health Sciences, Medicine and Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Krems University (Austria).

        Chief Executive Officer of Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Hospital "Martin Horvat" Rovinj (Croatia): envisioned, planned, communicated and managed the turnover project encompassing 22 million EUR investments altogether. Over a nine-year period, with precisely defined business strategy, management of focused investments, employer branding, attraction and careful selection and coaching of human resources, increased total revenues by 88,1%, with an increase in employees of only 3%. My Global Executive Master in Business Administration gives me a breadth of knowledge. 

        Also member of managing boards with a proven track of change management.


        Janne Pesonen (Finland)


        Fee: 20€ 

      • Prof. Corry K. van der Sluis MD PhD, consultant for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands,
        Maaike Lange, MD, consultant for Rehabilitation Medicine, De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands

        Finger and partial hand amputations are the most frequently treated amputations in clinical practice. However, for a long time only scarce attention has been paid to the prosthetic solutions for these distal levels of amputations. Since a few years, more prosthetic solutions are available on the market. Furthermore, many adaptive devices are available. Since not only the finger and partial hand amputations vary largely, but also the patients’ features and preferences, the best prosthetic solution for a patient can be a puzzle. To achieve the best solution, a team effort is mostly required. During this interactive workshop, we will share some cases with finger or partial hand amputations with the audience. We will reveal the patients’ goals for treatment. The audience will be asked to share their thoughts about prosthetic solutions or adaptive devices. Finally, for each case we will show how we solved the prosthetic puzzle in collaboration with the patient. 

        Limited space

        Fee: 20€

        Biography: Corry K. van der Sluis (1964) is a professor and consultant for Rehabilitation Medicine at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. Her field of interest is the rehabilitation of persons with upper limb disorders. Her professional activities comprise patient care, teaching and research. Her research focuses mainly on upper limb amputations and prostheses. A main research topic is the development of training programs for people who use upper limb prostheses. Innovative technology such as serious games are integrated in this research.  A second main research topic is the decrease and prevention of musculoskeletal complaints in persons with upper limb disorders. She is author of over 130 internationally peer reviewed publications and she contributed as an author to 8 book chapters. She gave over 70 international presentations.

        Email: [email protected]

        Biography: Maaike Lange (1977) is currently working as a consultant in rehabilitation medicine at the Upper Extremity Unit in De Hoogstraat rehabilitation centre Utrecht/ Diakonessenhuis Utrecht. 

        Main topic is upper limb disorders with prothesiology of the upper extremity and traumatic arm-hand.

        Email: [email protected]


      • Biography - prof. Henk Stam

        Prof. Henk Stam MD, PhD, FRCP (1953) was Head and Chair of the Department of  Rehabilitation Medicine since 1994 until September 2018 at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

        He is past president of the European Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and founder and past president of the European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

        Henk Stam has an interest in objective long-term measurement of activities, posture and movement, physiology of exercise and inactivity, spasticity and shockwave medicine.
        In 2012 he was editor in chief of the book “Acute Medical Rehabilitation”, Volume I (also in Chinese and Rumanian translation).

        In 2013 he received the Sidney Licht Lectureship Award of International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

        Since 2016 he is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, the official journal of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

        In 2017 he was co-founder of Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine -Clinical Communications, a journal that publishes papers with specific interest for clinicians instead of researchers.

        In 2018 he published an educational book “Dilemmas in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine”.

        He is (co) author of more than 300 research papers in peer reviewed journals and he supervised 48 PhD projects.

        He was was the President of the European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2019-2023.

        Currently he is medical director of a chain of clinics for hand – and wrist rehabilitation and runs a private practice for musculo-skeletal conditions

        Summary Ethical dilemmas in Rehabilitation medicine 
        In Rehabilitation Medicine, ethical questions are more common than most can imagine. The explanation is that we usually do not recognize a particular situation as an ethical issue but rather as a common problem that requires a simple solution. The more experienced we become, the more we tend to solve a problem without further careful consideration: “jumping to solutions”.

        In this interactive presentation, I will try to increase your awareness of ethical issues in clinical practice, research and education of Rehabilitation Medicine.
        An important principle is that ethical issues or dilemmas are best dealt with by considering several options instead of focusing on one correct answer or solution. Reflection on different options and attempting to provide arguments for each solution assists in creating a broader vision of the ethical question and understanding people with different viewpoints.
        As a result, there is no single right or wrong answer for an ethical question: the best answer or solution may depend on the personal circumstances of the patient or the physician, religious or cultural influences, legal restraints, etc.

        To prepare yourself for this presentation, I will present one situation.
        Your homework is to reflect on this situation and to formulate four potential solutions, including arguments to support each of the four solutions. I encourage you to discuss with your collegues and find out how different people respond to seemingly straightforward ethical situations.

        Ethical dilemma I
        Treating knee arthritis with ineffective physical therapy.

        You take over a private outpatient clinic for PRM for predominantly musculoskeletal patients. It appears that your predecessor treated a large group of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis with ultra-short wave therapy, which is, according to the Cochrane Reviews, ineffective.
        The treatment is reimbursed by health insurance.
        What do you do ??


        No Fee

      Workshops - 27 April 2024

      8:30 - 10:00

      • Biography - Nathan Zasler

        Dr. Zasler is Founder, CEO & Medical Director of Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, as well as Founder and current Medical Director of Tree of Life in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Zasler is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), fellowship trained in brain injury and subspecialty certified in Brain Injury Medicine.  He is an affiliate professor in the VCU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Richmond, VA, and a visiting professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.  He is Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Emeritus of the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA).  He has published over 200 peer reviewed articles and authored over 60 book chapters.  Dr. Zasler has published and lectured extensively on TBI related neuromedical issues and has edited 8 textbooks including “Brain Injury Medicine:  Principals and Practice” now in its third edition.  He is chief editor of two international peer reviewed journals: “Brain Injury”, and “NeuroRehabilitation” as well as chief editor of “Brain Injury Professional”.  Dr. Zasler serves on multiple journal editorial boards and as a reviewer for over 20 international peer reviewed journals.  He is active in local, national and international organizations dealing with acquired brain injury and neurodisability, serving or having served in numerous consultant and board member roles.  He has received numerous awards, been repeatedly recognized by “Best Doctors.” and has also received numerous community patient awards for his clinical services. Dr. Zasler is an advocate, educator, clinical researcher, inventor, entrepreneur and busy practicing clinician who is involved with community-based neurorehabilitation, chronic post-trauma pain management, and health care consultation, both clinical and medicolegal. 

        Limited space - 50 pax limit
        Fee: 20€

      Application for workshops will be open in the comming days via the registration platform.

      Conference secretariat Information
      CANKARJEV DOM, Cultural and Congress Centre 
      Gregor Rogač
      Prešernova 10, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

      E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      Registration and accomodation office
      Prešernova 10, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
      Phone: +386 1 2417136
      E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
      Scientific Programme Information
      prof.dr. Helena Burger, dr.med.
      E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

      © Cankarjev dom, cultural and congress centre. All Rights Reserved.