Maria Hagströmer

Maria Hagströmer

Professor/Physical Therapist

Professor in Physiotherapy with a joint position at Academic Primary Care Centre . I am currently the director of education at NVS and chair of the research school in health sciences. Research focus i

Telephone: +46852488836
Mobile phone: +46707129590
Visiting address: Alfred Nobels Allé 23, 14183 Huddinge
Postal address: H1 Neurobiologi, vårdvetenskap och samhälle, H1 Fysioterapi Hagströmer, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • About me

    I am a Professor in Physiotherapy at the Division of Physiotherapy, Department of NVS, KI with a joint position at Academic Primary Care Centre in Region Stockholm. My clinical traning is in Physiotherapy and Public health. I defended my thesis titled “Assessment of health enhancing physical activity at population level” in 2007 and have thereafter combined research with teaching and academic leadership. I was awarded the KI Pedagogic academy in 2011, the Swedish Physiotherapist of the year in 2014 and the KI working environmendtand health prize in 2018. I am currently the director of first and second cycle education at the department and chair of the research school in health sciences (FiH).

Research

  • My research focus is in the area of physical activity and physical exercise. I study a) the levels and patterns of objectively assessed physical activity at population level as well as in subgroups of the population, b) the link between physical activity and health and c) the effect of exercise interventions on habitual physical activity levels and clinical outcomes. My research combines epidemiology, method development and intervention research.

    I have been successful as a principal applicant in receiving grants from Karolinska Institutet strategic research foundations, The Swedish Reserach Council (VR), Folksam, Åke Wiberg foundation, Diabetes foundation, Cancer foundation, Region Stockholm (ALF and NSV) and funding for doctoral students from KID and School of doctoral education in health care sciences.

    I have over 200 peer-reviewed publications and an H-index of 46.

Teaching

  • I have a strong committment in teaching and learning. I am actively working on developing and improving courses with the student's learning in focus. Since 2011, I have been a member of the pedagogical Academy at Karolinska Institutet. In my role as Professor in Physiotherapy, I support the research basis of education at basic, advanced, and postgraduate educational level. I have previously been a teacher representative in the program board for the study program in Physiotherapy. 

    I have taken basic pedagogical courses, courses on distance learning, course design and examinations, IT-in education and pedagogical leadership.

    My teaching is primarily in health promotion, physical activity, exercise and health and measurement methods. I am currently the course leader for a post-graduate course "Measurement of physical activity using objective methods" and have been course leader for the single-subject course "Physical Activity as Prevention". I teach in the Physiotherapy program and the single-subject course "Working with disease prevention methods". I have among all also developed and been a teacher on a massive online open course and "Pedagogy for research supervisors".

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Towards optimal recovery after cancer surgery – evaluating a novel measure of physical recovery after discharge from hospital
    The Swedish Cancer Society
    1 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
    This project aims to evaluate a novel recovery measure following hospital discharge after cancer surgery. The objective is to ascertain whether objective physical activity data correlate with traditional recovery metrics, potentially identifying patients at risk of prolonged recovery and necessitating additional clinical interventions. Additionally, we will assess the feasibility of individually targeted support for physical activity post-discharge. The goal is to improve patient care and quality of life, aligning with the Cancer Strategy 2030. To address the research aims, two observational studies and a feasibility study are proposed. The first study will utilise existing data from patients with urinary bladder cancer who have undergone radical cystectomy. The second study, a multicentre investigation, will collect new data from 300 patients with urological, colorectal, and gynaecological cancers scheduled for surgery. The activPAL device will measure activity metrics and progression post-discharge. Traditional recovery measures include physical function, length of stay, health-related quality of life, readmission rates, and complications. Linear regression models will explore the association between activPAL data and traditional recovery metrics. Individually targeted support through digital self-monitoring will be developed based on the results from studies 1 and 2. The feasibility study will evaluate process and scientific feasibility using established methodology.
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2026 - 31 December 2028
    Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent and impairing mental disorder associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to cardiometabolic disorders. Secondary prevention strategies to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors in this group should be prioritized. We have developed and successfully piloted a novel lifestyle intervention for at-risk individuals with OCD, called LIFT. This project has two aims. First, we will conduct the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) of LIFT, compared to medical advice and treatment as usual (n=108). The primary outcome is objectively-measured physical activity at post-treatment. Follow-ups will be done 3 and 12 months after the intervention. Second, we will evaluate if LIFT drives meaningful pre- vs. post-intervention changes on a series of potential inflammatory and epigenetic risk biomarkers. The RCT design is ideally suited to explore this hypothesis, providing excellent experimental control. For reference, the same biomarkers will be compared in the RCT OCD participants before the lifestyle intervention vs. healthy controls. If LIFT proves to be efficacious at improving lifestyle habits and reducing cardiometabolic risk factors, we will implement it in routine healthcare, which would contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality rates in OCD. The identification of modifiable biomarkers has the potential to provide objective measures to identify individuals who should be prioritised for intervention and to track outcomes.
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2025 - 31 December 2026
  • Implementation of new methods for physical rehabilitation
    Swedish Cancer Society
    1 October 2024 - 30 June 2026
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 December 2022 - 30 November 2027
    The aim is to establish a multiprofessional doctoral school in healthcare science, Doc-HealthSci, to strengthen the connection between research and education, as well as to meet the need for supplying competence in healthcare programmes. Doctoral students will develop knowledge about how physical, mental, and social health can be promoted, maintained and regained, and how illness can be prevented, alleviated, or cared for. All important areas for future education in healthcare programmes. A global perspective with good opportunities for internationalisation will be promoted.The school is a collaborative partnership between the Karolinska Institutet, Uppsala University, Mälardalen University and Sophiahemmet University, with a firm foundation in the collective strengths and competences and previous experiences of involvement in doctoral education in healthcare sciences. The school will be governed by a steering group of faculty and students representing each university. The education extended to 5-years will include part-time teaching. The school will provide courses, seminars and opportunities for research exchange within national and international networks.The school will provide a high-quality doctoral education to provide a first cohort of 20 competent and independent graduates prepared for the future needs in health care education. The intention is to develop a sustainable framework for future cohorts that will be of great significance for health care education.
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 November 2021 - 31 October 2026
    Older adults who are hospitalized because of acute medical illness often experience worsening of physical function, and the transition from hospital to home may pose an additional risk. Even relatively small amounts of exercise might mitigate the risk of physical impairment, emphasizing the importance of identifying efficient and easy-to-use exercise interventions for older hospitalized people.In this project, we aim to 1) to examine if a transitional care program consisting of walking and sit-to-stand exercises performed during acute hospitalization and as self-training at home has effect over usual care concerning physical function in people aged 75 years and older, 2) perform a process evaluation during the different phases of the project, and, 3) translate the knowledge into clinical practice.We will conduct a randomized controlled trial. Participants aged 75 years and older will be included consecutively from geriatric medical wards of two hospitals in Region Stockholm. The intervention starts at the hospital and continues at home six weeks after discharge. The primary outcome is the score on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at three months after discharge. Secondary outcomes are SBBP at hospital discharge, and the number of hospital readmissions six months after discharge.The project will include a pilot study to explore the feasibility and optimize the research design, and a process evaluation to assess the quantity and quality of what was delivered and the role of context. In the final phase of the project, we will provide a description of the changes needed to translate the intervention into different settings, which will be helpful for further implementation.Most previous exercise intervention studies in older adults were performed either at the hospital or at home. Thus, the proposed transitional care project may provide a novel strategy to maintain or improve physical function in this frail and vulnerable group.
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 January 2021 - 31 December 2024
  • Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation
    1 January 2021 - 31 December 2023
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 January 2021 - 31 December 2024
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2019 - 31 December 2021
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 January 2018 - 31 December 2020
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2018 - 31 December 2020
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2017 - 31 December 2020
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2014 - 31 December 2016
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2013 - 31 December 2016
  • Resebidrag: 7th International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods, Washington, DC, 5-7 juni 2009
    Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 April 2009 - 30 June 2009
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011
  • Resebidrag: International Conference on Ambulatory Monitoring of Physical Activity and Movement, Rotterdam, Nederländerna, 21...
    Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 April 2008 - 30 June 2008

Employments

  • Professor/Physical Therapist, Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2022-
  • Professor/Physiotherapist, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2020-2022
  • Professor, Sophiahemmet University College, 2018-2020

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2010
  • Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 2007
  • Master Of Medical Science, Karolinska Institutet, 2001
  • Bachelor Of Science In Physiotherapy, Karolinska Institutet, 1997

Leadership and responsibility assignments

Distinction and awards

Supervision

Committee work

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