IFNRCON 2016

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Joint National Conference of Neuro-rehabilitation sub-section of "Indian Academy of Neurology" & Indian Federation of Neurological Rehabilitation-IFNR: 1-3rd April 2016, NIMHANS convention Centre, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, INDIA

Brief Report

Neurological Rehabilitation is one of the fastest growing sub-specialties of neurology. With recent advances in diagnosis & management in the field of neurology and neurosurgery, there is a paradigm shift in the felt needs and requirements of the patients. Disabilities and their management, Quality of life and ability to live as independently as possible even after the impairments by the patients have been goals of neuroscientists especially in the last 2-3 decades.

With these noble thoughts in mind Indian Academy of Neurology took the initiative to constitute ‘Neuro-rehab’ subsection of IAN, which came in to existence during the 23rd Annual National conference of IAN-IANCON 2015, held in Agra. Prof. Subhash Kaul, president of IAN was selected chairman of this subsection. Dr Anupam Gupta, Physiatrist, Additional Professor & Head, Dept. of Neurological Rehabilitation, NIMHANS, Bengaluru was appointed as convener of the section.

Ist Joint national conference of Indian Federation of Neurological Rehabilitation-IFNR & Neuro-rehab subsection of IAN was organized by Department of Neurological Rehabilitation & Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bengaluru at NIMHANS convention centre from 1-3rd April 2016.

The conference was attended by more 240 delegates consisting of Neurologists, Physiatrists, Neurosurgeons, Clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and Speech therapists among others, working in the field of neurological rehabilitation.

The academic program was a scientific fiest, well appreciated by all the participants. Ist day of the conference was dedicated to 7 workshops which ran parallel in 2 halls. The topics were as follows;

  • Ultrasound guided intervention pain management (Hands-on)
  • Botulinum toxin in post-stroke spasticity (Hands-on)
  • Seating and wheel chair assessment
  • Cognition in court: Bed to Bench
  • Workshop of Autistic Spectrum Disorders
  • Splinting in Neurorehabilitation
  • Trunk control following Stroke

Second day of conference had dedicated session on Stroke & rehabilitation, Head Injury rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy and management, Neuromodulation in spine-origin pain, a workshop in Gait analysis and free paper sessions. Icing on the cake was 3 orations by eminent persons in the field of Neurology/ Neurological rehabilitation.

  • IFNR oration was delivered by Professor Shobini Rao, Retd. Professor & Head, Dept. of Psychology, NIMHANS
  • Chair Neuro-rehab subsection of IAN oration delivered by Professor Subhash Kaul, President of IAN
  • Key note address delivered by Professor Suranjan Bhattacharjee, Ex-Director of CMC Vellore, former HOD Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, CMC Vellore.

Again other than the plenary sessions, the scientific activities took place in two halls simultaneously.

Inaugural function was organized on the same day. NIMHANS Director presided over the function with Registrar being the special invitee. The chief guest of the function was Mr. Swami Swaminathan, CEO, Manipal Healthcare services and the guest of honour was Mr. Raghavendra Rajkumar, Famous celebrity, film star and a stroke survivor.

Last day (3rd April) started with IFNR presidential oration delivered by Dr. Nirmal Surya. This was followed session on behavioural rehabilitation in Neuropsychiatric conditions. There were sessions on Music therapy in cognition, Aphasia-Diagnosis & management afterwards.

Great enthusiasm was shown by delegates in participating in scientific program. We had 21 free-paper podium presentations and 47 e-poster presentations in total. In each category, 3 best papers and posters were awarded with mementos & certificates.

It was the first national conference of neuro-rehab subsection of IAN. The fact that we were able to organize it separately from IAN during Ist year itself speaks volumes about the sincerity and dedication of the whole team entrusted with the task. I believe it was hugely successful. Great zeal was shown by IAN members, physiatrists and other neuro scientist. I sincerely expect it to become regular annual fixture with initially in joint collaboration with IFNR with more and more neuroscientists from different sub-specialities participating in bigger numbers in the coming years.

Dr. Anupam Gupta
Convenor, neuro-rehab subsection of IAN,
Addl. Professor & Head,
Department of Neurological Rehabilitation,
NIMHANS, Bengaluru