Rate My Professor Shabnam Agarwal

Prof. Shabnam Agarwal is a distinguished clinician, educator, and researcher specializing in musculoskeletal physiotherapy at Nopany Institute of Healthcare Studies (NIHS) in Kolkata, serving as Director of Education since 2002. She holds a PhD in Physiotherapy from Curtin University, Perth, Australia (2011), with a focus on musculoskeletal and spine conditions, an MSc in Orthopaedic Physiotherapy from the University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK (1998, First Division), and a Diploma in Physiotherapy (1992, Gold Medal). With over three decades of clinical expertise, she has been Chief Physiotherapist at Belle Vue Clinic, Kolkata, since 1993, following an initial role as Physiotherapist at Spastics Society of Eastern India (1992-1993). Additionally, she serves as Honorary Consultant Physiotherapist to the Governor of West Bengal, Secretary of Nopany Foundation (since 2020), Director Education for the Nopany Group of Institutions (since 2017), and a nominated member of the Board of Management for the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center at Jamia Millia Islamia. Her certifications include McKenzie Institute training in lumbar and cervical spine (1998-2000), Kinetic Control for cervical stability (2000), and Theraband Academy Train the Trainer (2007).

Prof. Agarwal's research interests include sarcopenia in India, osteoarthritis in the Indian population, cervical spine radiculopathy, clinical reasoning, spine specialist clinical skills, and bridging theory with practice. Key publications encompass 'Effects of mirror therapy on oedema, pain and functional activities in patients with post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome: a randomized controlled trial' (Physiother Res Int, 2021), 'Statistical inference through estimation: recommendations from the International Society of Physiotherapy Journal Editors' (Eur J Physiother, 2022), 'Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among auto-rickshaw drivers in urban Kolkata' (Int J Curr Res Acad Rev, 2017), and 'Evidence-based national consensus: recommendations for physiotherapy management in COVID-19 in acute care Indian setup' (Indian J Crit Care Med, 2020). She has presented at World Physiotherapy Congresses, including on sarcopenia and knee osteoarthritis (2025, Tokyo). Prof. Agarwal contributes to editorial boards of the International Journal of Physiotherapy, Cancer Rehabilitation Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, and Journal of Society of Indian Physiotherapists, and serves as an external examiner for PhD scholars. She has conducted numerous training programs internationally on topics like elastic resistance training, core stability, and cervical spine management in locations including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. Her accolades include awards for best research papers, the CP Nair Oration Award from the Indian Association of Physiotherapists, Vivek Jyoti Samman Lifetime Achievement Award from Swami Vivekananda University, and Devi Awards from Sahitya Times.