Scientific Area: Medical and Health Sciences.

EXPR: Neurosciences (including physiology and neuroimmunology)-Integrative and complementary medicine (alternative practice systems)-Occupational health, sport and fitness sciences-Technologies involving the identification of how DNA, proteins and enzymes work and how they interact with the protocols for acting on people.

Name of the service: Occupational health, Sport and Fitness sciences.

Main responsible: Juan Elicio Hernández Xumet, PhD, Professor at Universidad de La Laguna affiliated with the Canary Health Service at the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria.

Category of the service: Research Group.

Target group: Hospitals, Primary Health Centers, Patient Associations.

Scientific refence: 

I completed a PhD in Health and Sport Sciences from the University of Cádiz in 2016, where I specialised in Health Sciences and Sports in high performance and adapted for people with disabilities. Since then, my career has focused on multidisciplinary research addressing the intricate relationships between stress, pain, disability, movement, and health. My main research goal has been to develop innovative therapeutic strategies that promote physical recovery and enhance mental health, particularly for individuals undergoing injury rehabilitation or managing chronic diseases. I am a Professor at the University of La Laguna, closely affiliated with the Canary Health Service at the University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria. In this role, I lead several research projects emphasising applied physiotherapy in diverse areas, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, stress management, chronic pain, and mental health. My research focuses on physiotherapy’s dual impact on physical and psychological recovery, highlighting its integral role in improving quality of life and informing clinical practice. My research has resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications and collaborative projects in the last five years. These contributions demonstrate my commitment to advancing evidence-based physiotherapy interventions that integrate physical and mental health. Peer-Reviewed Publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7255-967X Exploring levels of empathy and assertiveness in final year physiotherapy students during clinical placements. Scientific Reports (2024). This study examines the development of empathy and assertiveness, essential soft skills for healthcare professionals, in final-year physiotherapy students during their clinical placements. Beyond scientific and technical training: Assessing the relevance of empathy and assertiveness in future physiotherapists: A cross-sectional study. Health Science Reports (2024). This research underscores the importance of non-technical skills in physiotherapy and advocates for their integration into academic training to improve patient outcomes. Effects of a 6-month multimodal physical exercise program on bone mineral density, fall risk, balance, and gait in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A controlled clinical trial. Brain Sciences (2021). This clinical trial demonstrated how multimodal physical exercise significantly improves bone health, balance, and gait while reducing fall risks in Alzheimer’s patients. Short and medium-term effects of a multicomponent physical exercise program with a Mediterranean diet on bone mineral density, gait, balance, and fall risk for patients with Alzheimer. Medicine (2020). By combining exercise and diet, this study highlighted a multidisciplinary approach to addressing motor function and fall prevention in Alzheimer’s patients. Repercusiones de la terapia manual en el sistema nervioso autónomo. Revisión sistemática. Cuidar (2023). A systematic review that evaluates the impact of manual therapy on the autonomic nervous system, focusing on its role in reducing stress and enhancing recovery. My teaching philosophy integrates evidence-based knowledge with practical application, preparing students to approach physiotherapy holistically. At the University of La Laguna, I design courses that emphasize the interplay between physical recovery and mental health, fostering a patient-centred perspective. Clinical Experience With over 25 years of experience as a practising physiotherapist, I have worked with diverse patient populations, addressing complex health challenges. This clinical background has been instrumental in shaping my research, providing firsthand insights into patients’ practical needs and the potential of physiotherapy to transform lives. For instance, my clinical work has highlighted the importance of integrating mental health considerations into physiotherapy protocols, directly informing my research on holistic recovery strategies. Similarly, my hospital and private practice experience have underscored the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, an approach I consistently advocate in my teaching and research. I have prioritized a holistic approach to health and well-being throughout my career, addressing recovery’s physical and emotional dimensions through innovative research, teaching, and clinical practice. My work has consistently demonstrated the transformative potential of physiotherapy to improve patients’ quality of life, positioning it as a critical discipline within modern medicine.

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