Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search
Post Nominals ACPIN Board Member - Publication and Knowledge Dissemination, Editor Synapse
Biography Dr Praveen Kumar is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol. Praveen completed his BSc Physiotherapy from Mangalore University, India in 1995 and joined Apollo Multi-speciality Hospital, Hyderabad to work as a clinical physiotherapist. In 1998, Praveen went to Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh to pursue his Master in Physiotherapy. After gaining his masters, Praveen worked in India as a Vice-Principal at the Swantara Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, AP and then as Principal (in-charge) at the College of Physiotherapy, Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital, Hyderabad. Praveen joined UWE in 2003 as lecturer / Senior lecturer in physiotherapy. Praveen completed his PhD from UWE in 2012. Currently, Praveen is the Board member for Publication and Knowledge Dissemination (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology), Editor for Synapse - Official Journal of ACPIN.
Research Interests My research interests lies in stroke rehabilitation and includes upper limb problems (shoulder pain, subluxation, weakness), physical activity, group exercises, telerehabilitation and robotics in rehabilitation.

Hemiplegic Shoulder pain (HSP) and Glenohumeral Subluxation (GHS): I have been involved in the development of assessment approaches for HSP and GHS.

Upper Limb rehabilitation: includes special interest in the assessment and management of upper limb impairments in people with stroke. My PhD lead to the development of ultrasound method for assessing glenohumeral subluxation (GHS) in people with stroke. Given the objective method, I used this as an outcome measure to explore the effects of Lycra Sleeve on GHS and conducted a series of studies that have been published in peer-reviewed international journals.

We are currently aim to investigate the effects of Lycra sleeve on upper limb function

In collaboration with Bristol Robotics Laboratory, we are investigating the effects of wearable sensors embedded in Lycra sleeve on upper limb function in people with stroke.

Other area of my interest include investigating the effects of electrical stimulation and rotator cuff exercises on upper limb function.

Telerehabilitation - This includes development of remote based interventions to improve functional independence and enhance physical activity in people with stroke.

Robotics: I have collaborated with Bristol Robotics Laboratory on Care at Home using Intelligent Robotic Omni-functional Nodes (CHIRON) and Assuring Autonomy International Programme (AAIP) projects.

Physical Activity: To improve health and wellbeing of people with stroke from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community
Teaching and Learning Teaching: BSc. Physiotherapy, BSc Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation MSc Rehabilitation programmes

Module Leader – UZYSY7-15-2 - Neurology 2 ; UZWSRV-15-M - Health and social care research: methods and methodology (distance learning); UZWY8H-20-M - Health and social care research for advanced clinical practitioner (distance learning)

Subjects Taught: Essential of Neurological Physiotherapy (Neuro-physiology, Neuro-anatomy); Applied Anatomy, Neurological conditions and rehabilitation, therapeutic/Manual Handling, Basic Life support; Motor Control and Learning, Research methods

Research Supervision
Involved with supervision of student projects on the BSc. Physiotherapy and Sports therapy, and MSc. Advanced Practice programme, Masters programme

Trainer:
Manual Handling
Basic Life Support
Scopus Author ID 55466576700
PhD Supervision Availability Yes
PhD Topics 1. Bite-size patient-centred videos to support physical activity in people with stroke

2. Biomechanical effects of Lycra sleeve on shoulder in people with stroke

3. To improve health and wellbeing of people with stroke from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community