Time and place
- When
-
- 11. Nov 2026, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- 12. Nov 2026, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- 13. Nov 2026, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Where
-
Thon Hotel Oslofjord
Sandviksveien 186
1337 Sandvika
- Oslo
- Register now
-
Registration deadline: 21. Oct 2026, 23:00
Sign up here
About the Conference
Professionals come together at the Nordic Spasticity Conference in Oslo. You will meet a wide range of medical specialists and other professionals interested in the field.
The speakers are international specialists in spasticity issues as well as Nordic professionals with extensive experience in spasticity treatment.
Take part in workshops, meet exciting exhibitors, and establish networks across borders.
Key note speakers
-
Jelena Simic
MD, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital
-
Rajiv Reebye
Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia, Chair of SPECTRA LV
-
Bo Biering-Sørensen
MD, NDAPM,MPG
-
Gerard E. Francisco
MD, Chair of Department PMR at University of Texas Health Science Center
-
Mike Berger
MD, PhD, FRCPC, CSCN (EMG) Island Health and Vancouver Coastal Health
-
Anand Pandyan
Interdisciplinary clinical scientist
-
Jörg Wissel
Head of Neurorehabilitation and Physical Therapy at Vivantes Clinic Spandau, Berlin
-
Thierry Deltombe
Head of PMR department at Université de Louvain, Belgium
-
Per Reidar Høiness
Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery Vestre Viken, Norway
-
Emanuela Elena Mihai
PRM specialist, PhD, ISPRM Spasticity Interest Group, ESPRM Youth Forum Executive Committee
-
Chueh-Hung Wu
Professor at National Taiwan University
-
Ines Bersch-Porada
Head of the International FES Centre® at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre
Program for the Nordic Spastisity Conference
-
09:00 - 10:00
-
Registration
10:00 - 10:30
-
Opening session
Welcome to the Nordic Spasticity Conference 2026
10:30 - 10:55
-
From Pathophysiology to clinical practice
The importance of early identification and phenomenological approach to spastic movement disorders
By Bo Biering-Sørensen
Bo Biering-Sørensen
MD, NDAPM, MPG
Dr. Biering-Sørensen is a neurologist and movement disorder specialist with a special interest in spasticity and dystonia management. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and Director of the Movement Disorder and Pain Research Center (MPRC) at Hvidovre Hospital. He is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Scandinavian Diploma Education in Dystonia and Spasticity Treatment and in recognition of his sustained commitment to education and mentorship, he was awarded the 2026 Education Award by the Young Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, and Neurophysiologists (YNNN) Society in Denmark.
10:55 - 11:20
-
Is Spasticity a Syndrome?
A Historical Perspective on Spasticity Definitions and Descriptions
By Gerard Francisco
Gerard E. Francisco
MD, Chair of Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at University of Texas Health Science Center
Prof. Gerard E. Francisco, MD, is the Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center’s McGovern Medical School in Houston, Texas. A global leader in his field, he serves as President of the International Spasticity Society and Chair of the Organizing Committee for Spasticity X, the biennial International Spasticity Symposium. Additionally, Dr. Francisco is the immediate past president of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) and currently co-chairs the Spasticity and Botulinum Toxin Special Interest Group for the World Federation of Neurorehabilitation.
11:20 - 11:45
-
The Window of Opportunity: When Is the Right Time to Start Treatment?
By Jörg Wissel
Jörg Wissel
Head of Neurorehabilitation and Physical Therapy at Vivantes Clinic Spandau,Berlin
Prof Jörg Wissel, MD, FRCP is a board-certified specialist in Neurology and Rehabilitation, he is specialized in managing Neurorehabilitation, Movement Disorders and Botulinumtoxin treatment. He has authored more than 160 original scientific articles and many book chapters in his fields. Since 2002 Prof Wissel is managing an interdisciplinary out-patient clinic for Neurology and Psychosomatic with about 1000 visits a year, mostly patients with focal dystonia, spasticity, and Botulinumtoxin indications. He is Professor of Neurology and a member of the faculty at the University of Potsdam, Germany and Innsbruck, Austria.
11:45 - 12:45
-
Lunch with poster walk and visiting Sponsor exhibition area
12:45 - 13:35
-
Discussion: Clinical Video Vignettes
Interactive discussion between Jorge Jacinto, Jörg Wissel, Gerard Francisco, Bo Biering-Sørensen, the audience and professionals from Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital and Spectra L/V.
13:35 - 14:00
-
Importance of patient centric treatment approach
By Anne-Marthe Olsen Sanders
14:00 - 14:30
-
Coffee break with refreshments, poster walk and visiting Sponsor exhibition area
14:30 - 14:50
-
Supra-spinal spasticity and spinal spasticity
A refresher on importance of understanding pathophysiology
Supra-spinal spasticity
By Hanne Tingelstad
Spinal spasticity
Alhed Piene Wesche and Jill Unneland O’Farrell
14:50 - 15:15
-
Muscle changes in Spasticity: Guiding Personalized Treatment Strategies
By Jelena Simic and Rajiv Reebye
Jelena Simic
MD, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital
Jelena Simic is physician in charge of the Spasticity Clinic and the Gait Laboratory at Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital. She is a clinician-scientist and specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with expertise in neurorehabilitation and spasticity management. She is a dedicated researcher specializing in the use of advanced imaging modalities, including MRI and ultrasound, to explore macroscopic and microscopic changes in spastic muscles. She is committed to linking research and clinical practice, as well as introducing innovations in the diagnostic process and the management of spasticity-related disorders.
Rajiv Reebye
Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia, Chair of the SPECTRA LV
Professor Rajiv Reebye is a Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), currently serving as Head of the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UBC and Co-Founder and Chair of the SPECTRA LV (Spasticity Education and Clinical Translation Lausanne–Vancouver) Institute research lab.
His research focuses on multimodal therapy and muscle ultrasound in spasticity syndrome management, with national and international collaborative work spanning spasticity care in patients with stroke, multiple sclerosis, and paediatric-to-adult transition care for patients with spasticity syndrome. He is internationally recognized for his leadership, innovation, and teaching in rehabilitation medicine, with honours including the 2022 Meredith Marks Award for Excellence in Education and the 2022 Haim Ring Award from the International Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ISPRM).
15:15 - 15:40
-
Neuromuscular consequences of spinal cord injury
New Mechanistic insights and clinical considerations
By Mike Berger
Mike Berger
MD, PhD, FRCPC, CSCN (EMG)
Mike Berger MD, PhD, FRCPC, CSCN (EMG), is a clinician-scientist and specialist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with expertise in neuromuscular medicine, electrodiagnostic testing, and spinal cord injury. He completed his MD/PhD training at Western University, followed by residency and fellowship training at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, where he developed advanced expertise in neuromuscular disorders and clinical neurophysiology. He currently serves as a consultant physiatrist with Island Health and Vancouver Coastal Health and leads a research program focused on neurophysiological assessment and upper limb functional restoration after neurological injury.
15:40 - 16:10
-
Panel discussion: Is BoNT-A a neuromodulator?
Discussion about the importance of early intervention and treatment of non-neural component in spasticity syndrome.
Chairs: Kristin Østlie and Jelena Simic
Panel: Jill Unneland O’Farell, Camilla Aksdal, Anand Pandyan, Bo Biering-Sørensen, Rajiv Reebye, Stefano Carda, Gerard Francisco, Saurabh Kumar Jain
16:10 - 16:40
-
Break with poster walk and visiting Sponsor exhibition area
16:40 - 17:05
-
Presentation of the new evidence related to muscle changes due to BoNT-A and inactivity
By Jelena Simic
Jelena Simic
MD, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital
Jelena Simic is physician in charge of the Spasticity Clinic and the Gait Laboratory at Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital. She is a clinician-scientist and specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with expertise in neurorehabilitation and spasticity management. She is a dedicated researcher specializing in the use of advanced imaging modalities, including MRI and ultrasound, to explore macroscopic and microscopic changes in spastic muscles. She is committed to linking research and clinical practice, as well as introducing innovations in the diagnostic process and the management of spasticity-related disorders.
17:05 - 17:30
-
Shockwave therapy: evidence for its use and strategies to implement into clinical practice
By Emanuela Elena Mihai
Emanuela Elena Mihai
PRM specialist, PhD
Professor Mihai is a PRM specialist, PhD, and researcher from Bucharest, Romania, with clinical and research expertise in spasticity management, stroke rehabilitation, and multimodal interventions, including botulinum toxin type A, shock wave therapy, and electrical stimulation. She serves on several international rehabilitation medicine initiatives, including the ISPRM Spasticity Interest Group, as Co-Chair of the ESPRM IS GRaCE Working Group, and as Romania’s representative to the ESPRM Youth Forum Executive Committee. Her research includes participation in Horizon-funded projects, and she regularly presents and disseminates findings at national and international scientific congresses and educational events.
17:30 - 17:40
-
Summary of the day and highlights for tomorrow.
By Rajiv Reebye and Stefano Carda
19:00 - 21:30
-
An evening presentation organized by Spectra LV institute and Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital - going back to the basic, including dinner
Neil Ravenhill to introduce concept Spectra and Sunnaas collaborative research on visual art and spasticity.
Hands on Workshop and future directions
Neil Ravenhill
CEO of Spectra LV Institute
Dr Ravenhill is the co-founder and CEO of Spectra LV Institute, and a consultant specialising in medical and clinical organisations and services. In his career, Neil has supported clinician engagement and education across many therapy areas globally, focusing on improving patient outcomes. Neil has a BSc and PhD in medical sciences, and has conducted research in both traditional lab settings and at the edge of human physiological limits during his time with the Institute of Naval Medicine.
-
-
08:05 - 08:35
-
Yoga as intervention in spasticity management
From historical to future perspectives
By Shiwangee Purandare and Karla Zarco
08:35 - 09:05
-
Electrostimulation in Spasticity Management
Evidence and clinical pearls
By Ines Bersch-Porada
Ines Bersch-Porada
Head of the International FES Centre® at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre
Dr. Ines Bersch is a experienced physiotherapist who founded and leads the International FES Centre® at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre. Her clinical and research priorities encompass the restoration of hand function, prevention of pressure injuries, and optimization of bowel management. To advance these efforts, she was awarded an SNSF grant of over 1.2 million Swiss Francs for an international study—in collaboration with Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital and The University of Alberta—investigating the method of abdominal muscle stimulation to improve bowel management in people with spinal cord injuries. Additionally, she developed the motor point mapping diagnostic tool to precisely assess lower motor neuron integrity, and she actively promotes global knowledge dissemination as an extended board member of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society.
09:05 - 09:30
-
Coffee break with refreshments, poster walk and visiting Sponsor exhibition area
09:30 - 09:55
-
Identification of response to BoNT-A treatment
A clinical physiological approach
By Clinical Physiology Lab at Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital
09:55 - 10:20
-
Use of fine wire EMG in assessment of spastic gait patterns: A lost art?
By Jorge Jacinto
10:20 - 10:45
-
Short break
10:45 - 11:10
-
Indication and technical issue of diagnostic nerve block with anaesthetics
By Thierry Deltombe
Thierry Deltombe
Head of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department at Université de Louvain, Belgium
Professor Thierry Deltombe is an active member of the Belgian PM&R board and of the European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine. He leads with G. Francisco the Toxnet group.
For 25 years, he is the head of an interdisciplinary group devoted to the spasticity treatment. The group also includes a neurosurgeon, two orthopaedic surgeons, an anaesthesist, a neurologist and a rehab team. He published several papers dealing with spasticity assessment (diagnostic nerve block) and treatments (botulinum toxin and neurotomy) with a special interest for the spastic foot.
11:10 - 11:35
-
Neurectomy or Neurotomy? Simplifying phenomenology and implications for clinical practice
By Thierry Deltombe
11:35 - 12:00
-
When when should we perform surgery? Training and follow up after surgery.
By Per Reidar Høiness and Ingvild Koren Maalen-Johansen
Per Reidar Høiness
Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery Vestre Viken, Norway
Per Reidar Høiness is a specialist in orthopedic surgery and head of the Ortforsk research group at Vestre Viken. He is a senior consultant and research lead at the Department of Orthopedics at Drammen Hospital. His work focuses on orthopedic surgery, with extensive experience in the treatment of neuro-orthopedic patients.
12:00 - 13:00
-
Lunch with poster walk and visiting Sponsor exhibition area
13:00 - 13:25
-
The challenges of defining and measuring spasticity
By Anand Pandyan
Anand Pandyan
Interdisciplinary clinical scientist
Anand Pandyan is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary clinical scientist. His personal research explores (a) the role of technology in the management of the severely disabled patient, (b) developing valid and reliable outcome measures, (c) developing methods of modelling to study the relationship between impairment and activity and (e) more recently it has extended to modelling work to develop methods to inform clinical decision making.
13:25 - 13:50
-
Triggers for spasticity: pain, nociceptive stimuli
By Jörg Wissel
Jörg Wissel
Head of Neurorehabilitation and Physical Therapy at Vivantes Clinic Spandau,Berlin
Prof Jörg Wissel, MD, FRCP is a board-certified specialist in Neurology and Rehabilitation, he is specialized in managing Neurorehabilitation, Movement Disorders and Botulinumtoxin treatment. He has authored more than 160 original scientific articles and many book chapters in his fields. Since 2002 Prof Wissel is managing an interdisciplinary out-patient clinic for Neurology and Psychosomatic with about 1000 visits a year, mostly patients with focal dystonia, spasticity, and Botulinumtoxin indications. He is Professor of Neurology and a member of the faculty at the University of Potsdam, Germany and Innsbruck, Austria.
13:50 - 14:20
-
Panel discussion: When not to treat and when to stop treatment?
Chairs: Stefano Carda and Jelena Simic
Panel: Tanja Bertheussen, Saurabh Kumar Jain, Tiina Ader, Maja Busuladzic, Laura Serrano, Ingvild Nakstad
14:20 - 14:50
-
Coffee break with refreshments, poster walk and visiting Sponsor exhibition area
14:50 - 15:15
-
Using technology in daily clinical practice
The utility of the spasticity diary application to enhance patient care.
By Bo Biering-Sørensen
Bo Biering-Sørensen
MD, NDAPM, MPG
Dr. Biering-Sørensen is a neurologist and movement disorder specialist with a special interest in spasticity and dystonia management. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and Director of the Movement Disorder and Pain Research Center (MPRC) at Hvidovre Hospital. He is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Scandinavian Diploma Education in Dystonia and Spasticity Treatment and in recognition of his sustained commitment to education and mentorship, he was awarded the 2026 Education Award by the Young Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, and Neurophysiologists (YNNN) Society in Denmark.
15:15 - 15:45
-
AI in assessment and treatment of spasticity
Novel use of ultrasound
By Wu Chueh-Hung
Chueh-Hung Wu
Professor at National Taiwan University
Dr. Chueh-Hung Wu is a Professor at National Taiwan University and the Editor-in-Chief of two textbooks specializing in ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection for post-stroke spasticity. His extensive clinical research includes cutting-edge spasticity interventions - notably exploring shear-wave ultrasound elastography for stiffness evaluation and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. He has published several studies on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for musculoskeletal ultrasound image analysis. As a highly sought-after international expert, he is frequently invited to share his clinical insights and comprehensive strategies on neuro-rehabilitation, MSKUS, and AI applications at prestigious medical conferences worldwide.
15:45 - 16:15
-
Panel discussion: How AI can help us in spasticity management
Chairs: Anne Catrine Trægde Martinsen
Wu Chueh-Hung, Jörg Wissel, Gerard Francisco, Bo Biering-Sørensen, Helga Brøgger, Mike Berger and Rajiv Reebye
16:15 - 16:25
-
End of day summary. Highlights for tomorrow
By Jelena Simic and Anne-Marthe Olsen Sanders
18:30 - 19:00
-
Networking and refreshments in the hotel bar
19:00 - 22:00
-
Conference dinner
-
-
08:00 - 08:35
-
Optimizing clinic efficiency and flow
By Fatima Nadeem, Stefano Carda, Rajiv Reebye and Jelena Simic,
08:35 - 09:05
-
Interdisciplinary interaction in spasticity management at the National Specialized Children’s hospital "Ohmatdyt", Ministry of Health of Ukraine
By Pavlo Plavskyi and Pavlo Andrieiev
Pavlo Plavskyi
MD, PhD, National Children's Specialized Hospital Okhmatdyt, Ukraine
Pavlo Plavskyi is an Honored Doctor of Ukraine and Head of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department at the National Children's Specialized Hospital "Okhmatdyt". He serves as a Neurosurgery Expert for the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and leads the Multidisciplinary Neuro-oncology Group. As a board member of the European Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ESPN) and a member of the ISPN, his primary clinical and academic interests include pediatric neuro-oncology, congenital brain and spinal malformations, hydrocephalus, and the neurosurgical management of epilepsy and spasticity.
Pavlo Andrieiev
PRM, National Children’s Specialized Hospital Okhmatdyt, Ukraine
Pavlo Andrieiev is a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) physician and Head of the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine at the National Children’s Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt” of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. He leads the Pediatric Rehabilitation Centre of Excellence, which serves as a national educational hub for the training and professional development of rehabilitation specialists from healthcare institutions across Ukraine. His primary clinical and academic interest is the management of spasticity in children.
09:05 - 09:30
-
Challenges of treating paediatric patients with spasticity
By Rajiv Reebye
09:30 - 10:15
-
Panel discussion
Chairs: Mona Strøm and Rajiv Reebye
Participants: Jorge Jacinto, Peter Sanderson, Kristine Marie Mamen Vege, Anne Bergsjø Karstensen, Marie Johansson, Shiwangee Puranadaren, Per Reidar Høiness, Pavlo Andrieiev and Pavlo Plavskyi
10:15 - 10:45
-
Coffee break, poster walk and visiting Sponsor exhibition area
10:45 - 11:10
-
Optimizing Advancing techniques in Chemo denervation
By Peter Sanderson
11:10 - 11:35
-
How do we utilize sensor technology to measure post-intervention outcomes -pros and cons of technology
By Ingrid Eitzen
11:35 - 12:00
-
Validation of a Multimodal Wearable Sensor for Detection and Classification of Spastic Motor Activity in Spinal Cord Injury
By Thomas Glott
12:00 - 12:25
-
Unlocking the next steps: enhancing collaboration through education and research
By Anand Pandyan
Anand Pandyan
Interdisciplinary clinical scientist
Anand Pandyan is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary clinical scientist. His personal research explores (a) the role of technology in the management of the severely disabled patient, (b) developing valid and reliable outcome measures, (c) developing methods of modelling to study the relationship between impairment and activity and (e) more recently it has extended to modelling work to develop methods to inform clinical decision making.
12:25 - 13:00
-
End of conference. Closing remarks and summary
Reflections, comments, next steps and questions
By Jelena Simic, Rajiv Reebye, Stefano Carda, Bo Biering-Sørensen and Anne Catrine Trægde Martinsen
13:00 - 14:00
-
Lunch with poster walk and visiting Sponsor exhibition area
-
Contact
If you have any questions, please send us an e-mail and we will get back to you.