Theodoros Papasavvas

Dr. Theodoros Papasavvas is the founder and scientific director of PHYSIORAMA. In 1997, he ranked first nationwide in the entrance examinations for the Department of Physiotherapy at the Athens Technological Educational Institute (now University of West Attica), from which he graduated in 2002. In 2004, he founded PHYSIORAMA.

Seeking further specialization in cardiac rehabilitation, he pursued postgraduate training in the United Kingdom, where he obtained an MSc in Cardiac Rehabilitation with distinction from the University of Essex in 2011. In 2020, he completed his PhD in Exercise and Health Psychology at the same university.

He has extensive clinical experience in cardiac rehabilitation centers abroad, participating in the assessment, exercise training, and monitoring of patients with cardiovascular diseases within modern rehabilitation and prevention programs. His professional activity focuses on cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac telerehabilitation, and the safe exercise of high cardiovascular risk patients.

He is a member of the Panhellenic Physiotherapists’ Association and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology.

Conference Presentations

• February 2023: “Cardiac rehabilitation during COVID-19: Challenges, opportunities, and the new normal.” 60th Annual National Conference of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists. Ahmedabad, India (oral presentation).
• September 2018: “Cardiorespiratory fitness and depression: Are they related?” Physiotherapy Day 2018 Symposium – Indian Physiotherapy Forum – Qatar. Doha, Qatar (oral presentation).
• November 2015: “Translation and validation of the Cardiac Depression Scale to Arabic.” 8th International and 13th National Congress of Clinical Psychology. Granada, Spain (poster).
• May 2015: “Association between depression and exercise capacity in cardiovascular disease: A meta-analysis.” APSCC 2015 – 20th Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Congress. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (oral presentation).
• March 2015: “Association between depression and exercise capacity in cardiovascular disease: A meta-analysis.” ACC.15 American College of Cardiology 64th Annual Scientific Session & Expo. San Diego, USA (poster).
• May 2014: “Depression and cardiorespiratory fitness: A meta-analysis.” EuroPRevent 2014. Amsterdam, Netherlands (poster).
• April 2014: “Depression and cardiorespiratory fitness – implications for occupations.” 11th Conference of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology. London, United Kingdom (oral presentation).

Publications

• Kaddoura R, Al-Tamimi H, Abushanab D, Hayat S, Papasavvas T. Cardiac rehabilitation for participants with implantable cardiac devices: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention. 2024; 21:200255.
• Grace SL, Hagström E, Harrison AS, Phillips S, Bovin A, Yokoyama MN, Niebauer J, Makita S, Raidah F, Back M, the ICRR Investigators. Cardiac rehabilitation registries around the globe: current status and future needs. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. 2024; zwae182. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwae182.
• Grace SL, Elashie S, Sadeghi M, Papasavvas T, Hashmi F, Ghisi GLM, Vargas JL, Alhashemi M, Turk-Adawi K. Pilot testing of the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation registry. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. 2023; 35(3): mzad050.
• Abidi S, Ghram A, Ghroubi S, Ahmaidi S, Elleuch MH, Girard O, Papasavvas T, Laukkanen J, Ben Saad H, Knechtle B, Weiss K, Chlif M. Impact of urinary incontinence on physical function and respiratory muscle strength in incontinent women: A comparative study between urinary incontinent and apparently healthy women. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(24):7344.
• Faisal E, Saad R, Al-Hashemi M, Grace SL, Papasavvas T, Turk-Adawi K. Evaluation of Qatar’s first cardiac rehabilitation program: A brief report. Global Heart. 2021; 16(1):65.
• Surendran PJ, Jacob P, Selvanami D, Papasavvas T, Swaminathan N, Mathew G, Praveen R. Upper extremity dysfunctions in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: A systematic review. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 2021; 28(7).
• Al-Ismail MS, Awaisu A, Papasavvas T, Babar ZUD. “Experiences with clinical pharmacy services in a cardiac rehabilitation program in Qatar” in Babar ZUD (ed.) Pharmacy Practice Research Case Studies. 2021, London: Elsevier, pp. 1–23.
• Jacob P, Surendran PJ, Aleef EM, Papasavvas T, Praveen R, Swaminathan N, Milligan F. Early mobilization of patients receiving vasoactive drugs in critical care units: A systematic review. Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy. 2021; 12(1):37–48.
• Grace S, Ahmed A, Pesah E, Lopez-Jimenez F, Afaneh J, Supervia M, Sadeghi M, Alhashemi M, Sarrafzadegan N, Papasavvas T, Adawi K. Availability and delivery of cardiac rehabilitation in the Eastern Mediterranean region: How does it compare globally? International Journal of Cardiology. 2019; 285:147–153.
• Papasavvas T, Alhashemi M, Micklewright D. Association between depressive symptoms and exercise capacity in patients with heart disease: A meta-analysis. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention. 2017; 37:239–249.
• Papasavvas T, Al-Amin H, Ghabrash HF, Micklewright D. Translation and validation of the Cardiac Depression Scale to Arabic. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2016; 22:60–66.
• Papasavvas T, Bonow RO, Alhashemi M, Micklewright D. Depression symptom severity and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy and depressed adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 2016; 46(2):219–230.