Function and Health in Respiratory and Cardiovascular Conditions – Malin Nygren-Bonnier's research group

Our research focuses on physiotherapeutic interventions in respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, both for rehabilitation prevention, and promotion.

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Research focus

Our research group focuses on optimising physical function, recovery, and rehabilitation in respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. The research spans from perioperative care to complex conditions such as post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), with a strong emphasis on individualised, evidence-based rehabilitation.

Through clinical studies, longitudinal cohorts, and randomised controlled trials, we investigate mechanisms underlying impaired function and recovery following various conditions, particularly after COVID-19, abdominal surgery, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our research includes interventions such as respiratory muscle training, exercise-based interventions across different conditions, early mobilisation after surgery, eHealth solutions, and fall prevention, aiming to improve physical function, activity levels, and quality of life.

The overall aim is to generate knowledge that enables effective, person-centred, and implementable rehabilitation to improve function and health.

Read more about our research projects under the Projects tab.

News and activities

Dysfunctional breathing in long COVID

Webinar lecture at The Swedish COVID Association by Carl Hallberg, PhD student, May 2026.

In Swedish.

Publications

Selected publications

All publications from group members

Funding

Grants

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Projects

ReCOV - Recovery and Rehabilitation after COVID-19

ReCOV is a research programme comprising several interconnected subprojects involving patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals. The programme focuses on individuals with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and aims to map physical and mental function, physical activity levels, and activities in everyday life, as well as to examine how these factors influence health-related quality of life over time. In addition to quantitative assessments, ReCOV includes qualitative studies that explore patients’ experiences of symptoms, recovery, and rehabilitation, providing important insights into perspectives, needs, and the complexity of living with PCC.

ReCOV is based on a large longitudinal cohort including both hospitalised and non-hospitalised individuals, followed over several years. The findings show that PCC is a long-lasting and heterogeneous condition with substantial variation in recovery trajectories, highlighting the need for individualised and person-centred rehabilitation. By integrating observational studies, intervention trials, and qualitative research, the programme aims to improve the understanding of underlying mechanisms as well as to develop and evaluate effective, tailored rehabilitation strategies.

Within ReCOV, several substudies are ongoing:

  • Function and recovery after COVID-19:
    Longitudinal observational studies of physical function, symptoms, mental health, and quality of life over time.
  • Physical activity and activities in everyday life:
    Studies examining activity levels and daily activity patterns, and their importance for recovery and health outcomes.
  • Exercise interventions in POTS: 
    Evaluation of individually tailored exercise programmes for patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome related to post-COVID-19.
  • Inspiratory muscle training (IMT):
    Randomised studies investigating the effects of respiratory muscle training on breathing function and physical capacity.
  • Dysfunctional breathing:
    Studies mapping the prevalence, characteristics, and impact of dysfunctional breathing, as well as developing assessment methods and treatment approaches.

SOMBATA – early mobilisation after surgery

We conduct research within the SOMBATA programme (Survey of mobilisation and breathing exercise after cardiothoracic and abdominal surgery), a national multicentre initiative.

  • studies focus on early mobilisation after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery
  • mapping of clinical practice, timing of mobilisation, and organisational factors
  • identification of barriers and facilitators for implementation
  • development of a consensus-based definition of early mobilisation (within 6 hours after surgery)

This research has contributed to increased knowledge and changes in clinical practice within perioperative care.

BETA Project

The BETA project aims to improve balance, walking ability, quality of life, and physical activity levels, reduce fear of falling among the elderly at increased risk of falls, and develop and implement these methods in clinical practice using a new challenging and progressive balance training model combined with physical activity on prescription.

“Stay Balanced” – Evidence-Based Balance Training Program to Prevent Fall Injuries

Implementation of an evidence-based balance training program for the elderly (Phase 3, BETA project). The purpose of the project is to study the implementation and outcomes of an evidence-based balance training program in clinical practice to prevent future falls and fall-related injuries among older adults.

SCIP Falls Project

The long-term goal of the SCIP Falls project is to reduce the risk of falls and fall-related injuries in individuals living with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury in Norway and Sweden by identifying risk indicators and establishing evidence-based and specific fall prevention programs.

SINpedSCI Project

The purpose of the SINpedSCI project is to contribute knowledge through international collaboration between ten rehabilitation centers in seven countries within the framework of the established rehabilitation network Sunnaas International Network in Rehabilitation (SIN).

Previous projects

MIDAS Project

The purpose of the MIDAS project is to evaluate the effects and experiences of early mobilization and breathing exercises, as well as to identify risk factors for respiratory insufficiency in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Evidence-Based Training and Physical Activity with an E-Health Concept - A New Method for People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to Become More Physically Active

The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate an e-health concept with a training module for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Students’ Experience and Perception of Their Learning Environment and Health-Related Quality of Life – An Interprofessional Study

The focus of this project is to identify success factors in the clinical learning environment and to show how students and supervisors are affected by the learning environment.

OptUtb Project

Optimizing Education and Training (OptUtb) is a method for soldiers and pilots in the Swedish Armed Forces, within which both selection and follow-up systems are further developed.

Theses

Anna Törnberg, 2026: Beyond the pandemic : health outcomes and targeted, individualised rehabilitation in post-COVID-19 condition

Anna Svensson-Raskh, 2021: Mobilization immediately after elective abdominal surgery : respiratory effects and patients' and healthcare professionals' experiences

Veronica Balkefors, 2015: Living with Osteogenesis imperfecta

Ing-Mari Dohrn, 2015: Physical activity and health-related quality of life in older adults with osteoporosis

Alexandra Halvarsson, 2015: Fall-related concerns, balance and gait in older adults with osteoporosis

Yvonne Kahlin, 2013: Physical Activity and Self-related Health in Swedish High Scool Students (Linnéuniversitetet)

Helena Grönstedt, 2013: Individually tailored physical and daily activities for residents in nursing home settings - a Scandinavian multi-centre study

Arve Opheim, 2011: Walking in adults with spastic cerebral palsy – the relation to pain, fatigue, gait and balance

Kirsti Skavberg Roaldsen, 2009: Factors influencing physical activity in patients with venous leg ulcer

Matti Leijon, 2009: Activating people – physical activity in the general population and referral schemes among primary healt care patients in a Swedish county (Linköpings Universitet)

Lena Kallings, 2008: Physical Activity Level, Adherence and cardivascular risk factors

Gun Faager, 2008: Adjuvant strategies in exercise performance for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD

Malin Nygren-Bonnier, 2008: Glossopharyngeal breathing

Li (Lindberg) Villard, 2006: Health related lifestyle habits of Swedish school children

Anders Raustorp, Physical activity, body composition and physical self-esteem among children and adolescent, KI 2005.

Marie Andre, 2005: Patient education and foot disability in juvenile idiopathic arthritis : A physiotherapy perspective

Agneta Ståhle, 1999: Physical fitness and quality of life in elderly patients recovering from an acute coronary event

Public outreach and news

Dysfunctional breathing in long COVID

Webinar lecture at The Swedish COVID Association by Carl Hallberg, PhD student, May 2026.

In Swedish.