HR4RS stamp
Irene Vega
The World Physiotherapy Awards recognize cutting-edge research conducted by physiotherapists individually or contributing to global health. The laureates received their prize during the celebration in Dubai of the World Physiotherapy World Congress of PhysiotherapyWorld Physiotherapy, a global organization that brings together more than 600.000 physiotherapists.
César Fernández de las Peñas, Professor of Physiotherapy at the URJC and member of the Spanish Association of Physiotherapists (AEF), has received the award for international service in the area of research, at the proposal of the AEF. The International Service Awards are to honor individuals who have made a significant contribution to Physiotherapy internationally, in the following areas: practice, education, research, management/administration, and advocacy.
The URJC professor has made outstanding contributions to the Physiotherapy profession by combining clinical practice with research and teaching. His work focuses on the underlying mechanisms, prevalence, and treatment of persistent chronic pain in the general population and in vulnerable groups. “This recognition is not only personal, but also to the trajectory of Spanish Physiotherapy in recent decades. It is the first time that Spain, in this case the Spanish Association of Physiotherapists, has presented a candidate for these awards, which are held every four years, and we have been lucky enough to win this award. We are very happy both for our institution -Rey Juan Carlos University- and for our profession”, highlights Fernández de las Peñas.
Currently, Spain leads the world in research in Physiotherapy and clinical techniques. "This recognition is an honor for our country and for the contributions that are being made internationally," says the researcher.
Extensive track record in research and clinical practice
César Fernández de las Peñas directs the project long covid (The Long-Covid Experience Study - Evolution, Clinical, Molecular and Genetic Characterization and Treatment of Post-COVID Symptoms - Persistent COVID), together with Domingo Palacios Ceña. This project has been financed by FEDER funds, as a response from the European Union to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has brought together a large volume of researchers with a broad perspective and has focused fundamentally on the study, evaluation and development of treatment for conditions resulting from persistent COVID.
During his career, he has received more than 3.500.000 euros from different grants and has published more than 650 publications in peer-reviewed journals and more than 10 textbooks. His most viewed articles focus on chronic pain, manual therapy, exercise, and rehabilitation. He continues to work in clinical practice and research, integrating manual therapy with exercise, and has opened the first Long Covid multidisciplinary clinic in the public system in Madrid. He has a master's degree in public health and two doctorates and is a professor in the Department of Physiotherapy at the URJC, where he has created the first chronic pain clinic.