Natalia Padula

Natalia Padula is a physiotherapist researching longitudinal care of adults and elderly individuals with SCI. This includes physical activity, exercise participation, metabolic assessments, prevention of secondary complications, health education, and epidural stimulation.

Natalia shares her experiences from the conference.

Receiving support from the Spinal Research Institute to attend ISCOS 2024 in Antwerp was an honor and a pivotal moment in my professional journey. This opportunity expanded my technical knowledge and strengthened my work in the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries.

During the event, I presented research conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, and received valuable insights from professionals worldwide, which will enhance our ongoing studies. The conference provided unique learning experiences, particularly on strategies for improving longevity and quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

I shared the knowledge acquired with my rehabilitation team and integrated it into patient care and caregiver guidance. Additionally, I strengthened existing connections and built new collaborations, which enriched our research and influenced adjustments to our next study’s methodology.

Attending ISCOS 2024 was transformative, renewing my motivation and focus, and will contribute to improving spinal cord injury care in Brazil.