The Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Thessaly, through the Erasmus+ program, participated in a five-day BIP Course in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Three faculty members from the Department – Professor Eleni Kortianou, Associate Professor Garyfallia Pepera, and Assistant Professor Konstantinos Chandolias – as well as eight undergraduate students (Aristofanis Totsikas, Margarita Armouti, Angela Halili, Sylliani Liakou, Vasiliki Govtzia, Miltos Papageorgiou, Anna Nemtsidi, and Despoina Karavella) took part in the Course.

The students had the opportunity to attend specialized lectures in the field of Physiotherapy and actively participate in practical workshops on topics such as physical exercise, rehabilitation, and hydrotherapy. Their participation allowed them to collaborate with students from other countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Croatia, and Poland), present the work of their Department, and acquire new knowledge and skills.

The faculty members participated as speakers, enhancing the exchange of scientific knowledge with students from Klaipeda University through lectures in their respective fields:

  • The model of care for Cardiac Rehabilitation – Dr. Garyfallia Pepera
  • Limitations of physical activity in patients with Chronic Respiratory Disease – Prof. Eleni Kortianou
  • The clinical application and assessment of hydrotherapy – Halliwick in children with neuromotor impairments – Dr. Konstantinos Chandolias

The group also visited the Dolphin Therapy Center (https://muziejus.lt/en/dolphin-assisted-therapy) and two hydrotherapy and rehabilitation centers in Palanga (https://gradiali.lt/en/ and https://atostoguparkas.lt/), where they were informed about innovative rehabilitation methods and treatments.

The participation of the Department in the BIP Course opens new avenues for collaborations through the Erasmus program and joint research activities, strengthening the international network and prospects of the Department of Physiotherapy to support education and research in the field of rehabilitation.