Physiotherapy

History

Physiotherapy is a clinical field focused on assessing, preventing, and treating various conditions such as orthopedic, neurological, rheumatological, cardiopulmonary, womens health, obstetrics, dermatological, wound care, and sports injuries. The Physiotherapy Department of Tarbiat Modares University commenced its activities alongside the enrollment of masters students in 1986, followed by the initiation of the PhD program in physiotherapy in 1997.

Mission:

Tarbiat Modares University is dedicated to postgraduate education, led by experienced professors in teaching and research. Prioritizing health system values, the university fulfills its responsibilities in the following areas:
Educating and nurturing students in alignment with Islamic values, medical ethics, and professional standards.
Advancing a comprehensive health approach and promoting well-being through research in:
a) Preventing neuro-musculoskeletal injuries across diverse societal groups, including children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, pregnant women, veterans, athletes, etc.
b) Introducing innovative assessment and treatment programs and methodologies in physiotherapy.
c) Incorporating cutting-edge equipment for disease prevention, assessment, and treatment.
d) Conducting interdisciplinary research.
e) Strengthening university-community ties and executing projects emphasizing knowledge dissemination principles.

Activities of Group Members:

Numerous articles published in Iranian and international scientific research journals are the result of the activities of distinguished professors and students in this department. It is worth mentioning that currently, many of graduates from this group are serving as faculty members with PhD degrees in other universities, establishing outstanding services in important areas of this field.
Each of the groups professors has well-equipped laboratories with advanced assessment and measurement devices for neuro-musculoskeletal systems in their respective research areas. Additionally, in 2019, the Research and Treatment Center for Movement Disorders of the Physiotherapy Group was established with state-of-the-art equipment for the evaluation and treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. It also serves as the platform for executing all research projects of the groups students and providing services for research beyond the universitys scope, aligning with the priorities of the field.

Research Focus Areas:

Evaluation of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders and physiotherapy treatments related to specific conditions such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia, hemophilia, diabetes, and Parkinsons disease.
Sports Physiotherapy.
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation.
Geriatric Rehabilitation.
Tele Rehabilitation.
For detailed information on the research focus areas of each professor, please visit their personal pages.

Expected competencies and skills from graduates:

Masters Degree Program:
At the end of the masters degree program, students are expected to acquire the following skills:

Theoretical knowledge in neurology, orthopedics, biomechanics, and laboratory motion analysis.
Practical skills in manual therapies (mobilization of limbs and spinal column).
Clinical knowledge (specialized internship in cardiopulmonary and sports physiotherapy).
Responsibility and clinical ethics skills in dealing with patients and community members.
Research execution skills (critical thinking, evidence-based research, research methods, statistics and interpretation, knowledge translation, exchange, and commercialization).

PhD Program:
At the end of the PhD program, students are expected to acquire the following skills:

Specialized theoretical knowledge in neurology, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, sports, and biomechanics for interdisciplinary research.
Specialized practical skills in manual therapies (spinal manipulation and Mulligan techniques).
Teaching skills (both theoretical and clinical).
Specialized research execution skills (critical thinking, advanced research methods, advanced statistics and interpretation, knowledge translation, exchange, and commercialization).