Franzén group
Research focus is on translational research from exploring neuronal mechanisms to clinical interventions/implementation in the field of neurological and geriatric rehabilitation. Our areas of special interest are balance control, exercise, physical activity and falls in elderly, individuals with Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury.
Research projects/activities
Research projects/activities include the following:
- BETA-PD: Balance Elderly Training and Activity in Parkinson’s disease
- Falls in traumatic spinal cord injury – A Swedish - Norwegian, cohort study
- Traumatic spinal cord injuries etiology, clinical characteristics and mortality in an international perspective
- Preoperativ exercise - Better in Better out
- Adults living with spina bifida -Physical function and cognitive impairments
- Effects on functioning and immune markers of a highly challenging balance training program (HiBalance) specific to multiple sclerosis – a randomized controlled study
Group leader
Erika Franzen
Senior lecturer/physcial therapistGroup members
Martina Bendt, PhD Student
Malin Freidle, PhD Student
Tobias Holmlund, PhD
Hanna Johansson, PhD student
Sverker Johansson, docent
Conran Joseph, postdoc
Emelie Karlsson, PhD student
Petra Koski, research assistant
Breiffni Leavy, postdoc
Niklas Löfgren, postdoc
Elisabeth Rydwik, docent
Linda Rennie, PhD student
Kirsti Skavberg-Roaldsen, docent
Andreas Wallin, PhD Student
Former members
David Conradsson, PhD
Caroline Forsell, postdoc
Vivien Jörgensen, PhD
Inka Löwenmark, PhD
Håkan Nero, PhD
Collaborators and partners, financial support
We have several collaborators on local, national and international levels.
Click here for a list of collaborators and partners, including financial support.
Selected scientific publications
Evaluation and implementation of highly challenging balance training in clinical practice for people with Parkinson's disease: protocol for the HiBalance effectiveness-implementation trial.
Leavy B, Kwak L, Hagströmer M, Franzén E
BMC Neurol 2017 Feb;17(1):27
Falls and fear of falling predict future falls and related injuries in ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury: a longitudinal observational study.
Jørgensen V, Butler Forslund E, Opheim A, Franzén E, Wahman K, Hultling C, et al
J Physiother 2017 04;63(2):108-113
Monitoring training activity during gait-related balance exercise in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a proof-of-concept-study.
Conradsson D, Nero H, Löfgren N, Hagströmer M, Franzén E
BMC Neurol 2017 Jan;17(1):19
High incidence of falls and fall-related injuries in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: A prospective study of risk indicators.
Forslund EB, Jørgensen V, Franzén E, Opheim A, Seiger Å, Ståhle A, et al
J Rehabil Med 2017 Jan;49(2):144-151
Pre- and unplanned walking turns in Parkinson's disease - Effects of dopaminergic medication.
Conradsson D, Paquette C, Lökk J, Franzén E
Neuroscience 2017 01;341():18-26
Objectively Assessed Physical Activity and its Association with Balance, Physical Function and Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease.
Nero H, Benka Wallén M, Franzén E, Conradsson D, Ståhle A, Hagströmer M
J Parkinsons Dis 2016 10;6(4):833-840
"Pushing the Limits": Rethinking Motor and Cognitive Resources After a Highly Challenging Balance Training Program for Parkinson Disease.
Leavy B, Roaldsen KS, Nylund K, Hagströmer M, Franzén E
Phys Ther 2017 01;97(1):81-89
Investigating the Mini-BESTest's construct validity in elderly with Parkinson's disease.
Löfgren N, Benka Wallén M, Sorjonen K, Conradsson D, Franzén E
Acta Neurol. Scand. 2017 Jun;135(6):614-621
Depressive symptoms associated with concerns about falling in Parkinson's disease.
Franzén E, Conradsson D, Hagströmer M, Nilsson MH
Brain Behav 2016 10;6(10):e00524
Factors Associated With Recurrent Falls in Individuals With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Multicenter Study.
Jørgensen V, Butler Forslund E, Franzén E, Opheim A, Seiger Å, Ståhle A, et al
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2016 11;97(11):1908-1916
Concerns about falling in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury--validation of the Swedish version of the spinal cord injury falls concern scale.
Butler Forslund E, Roaldsen KS, Hultling C, Wahman K, Franzén E
Spinal Cord 2016 Feb;54(2):115-9
The Effects of Highly Challenging Balance Training in Elderly With Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Conradsson D, Löfgren N, Nero H, Hagströmer M, Ståhle A, Lökk J, et al
Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2015 Oct;29(9):827-36
Translation and validation of the Swedish version of the mini-BESTest in subjects with Parkinson's disease or stroke: a pilot study.
Bergström M, Lenholm E, Franzén E
Physiother Theory Pract 2012 Oct;28(7):509-14
Is highly challenging and progressive balance training feasible in older adults with Parkinson's disease?
Conradsson D, Löfgren N, Ståhle A, Franzén E
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2014 May;95(5):1000-3
A novel conceptual framework for balance training in Parkinson's disease-study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
Conradsson D, Löfgren N, Ståhle A, Hagströmer M, Franzén E
BMC Neurol 2012 Sep;12():111
Is active sitting as active as we think?
Grooten WJ, Conradsson D, Äng BO, Franzén E
Ergonomics 2013 ;56(8):1304-14
Changes in activity limitations and predictors of functional outcome of patients with spinal cord injury following in-patient rehabilitation.
Joseph, C., Mji, G., Mlenzana, N., De Wet, C., Statham, S., & Rhoda, A. (2013).
South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 69(1), 47-53
Effects of physical training on physical performance in institutionalised elderly patients (70+) with multiple diagnoses.
Rydwik E, Frändin K, Akner G
Age Ageing 2004 Jan;33(1):13-23
Aspects of reliability and validity of the Swedish version of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale for older people.
Rydwik E, Hovmöller F, Boström C
Physiother Theory Pract 2014 Feb;30(2):131-7
Effects of a physical and nutritional intervention program for frail elderly people over age 75. A randomized controlled pilot treatment trial.
Rydwik E, Lammes E, Frändin K, Akner G
Aging Clin Exp Res 2008 Apr;20(2):159-70
Is midlife occupational physical activity related to disability in old age? The SNAC-Kungsholmen study.
Rydwik E, Welmer AK, Angleman S, Fratiglioni L, Wang HX
PLoS ONE 2013 ;8(7):e70471