Assist. Prof. Dr. | Alberto Montaner Cuello | Physiotherapy | Best Researcher Award

Assitant professor at Universidad Zaragoza, Spain

Alberto Montaner-Cuello is a physiotherapist and clinical researcher affiliated with the University of Zaragoza. Currently completing his degree in Physiotherapy (2020–2026), he combines academic teaching with active research in therapeutic exercise, neurodynamics, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. A member of the PhysiUZerapy Research Group, he has contributed to national and regional projects and published in high-impact journals like Journal of Hand Therapy and Diagnostics. His work emphasizes evidence-based interventions for chronic disease recovery, peripheral nerve assessment, and post-cancer rehabilitation.

Publication Profile 

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Educational Background 

• University Degree: Graduate in Physiotherapy

  • Institution: University of Zaragoza

  • Start Date: September 14, 2020

  • Completion Date: August 31, 2026 (expected)

  • Final Degree Project Defense: April 6, 2025

  • Final Grade: Notable

Professional Experience 

• Academic Teaching Activity:

  • Courses taught or involved in:

    • Physiotherapy in Pulmonology and Cardiology

    • Physiotherapy in Clinical Specialties III

    • Physiotherapy Methods in Musculoskeletal Processes

  • Academic Training Provided: Co-supervised multiple Final Degree Projects (TFGs) in physiotherapy focused on respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal interventions.

• Supervision of Final Degree Projects:

  • Supervised or co-supervised over 20 case-based projects, including:

    • Physiotherapy for COPD, hypertension, thromboembolism, cystic fibrosis, post-infarction recovery, cancer recovery, and multiple sclerosis.

    • Notable case: “Physiotherapy intervention plan for pulmonary thromboembolism based on exercise.”

 Scientific and Technological Experience

• Research Groups:

  • Member of B52_23R: PhysiUZerapy – Health Sciences Research Group, University of Zaragoza

  • Research funded by: Government of Aragón and Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology

• Projects:

  • “SIGHS OF EVIDENCE” (FCT-24-21532), National Project (2025–2026)

  • “THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE COURSE”, regional outreach training project

Research Interests 

• Primary Areas:

  • Neurodynamics and peripheral nerve mechanics

  • Respiratory and cardiovascular physiotherapy

  • Therapeutic exercise in chronic disease recovery

  • Diagnostic accuracy of physical tests (e.g., shear wave elastography, neurodynamic testing)

  • Post-cancer physiotherapy interventions

 Languages

• English Proficiency: B1 (CEFR)

  • Skills: Oral expression, oral interaction, written comprehension, auditory comprehension

Awards and Honors 

• Grades in Final Degree Projects:

  • Multiple projects received Outstanding (Sobresaliente) or Excellent (Excelente) marks.

• Highly Regarded Scientific Output:

  • Publications in journals with top quartile rankings in rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

Conclusion 

Alberto Montaner-Cuello exemplifies an emerging clinical researcher and educator in physiotherapy, with a sharp focus on evidence-based interventions and diagnostic innovation. His academic track record at the University of Zaragoza includes significant teaching, research, and publication output, particularly in the domain of therapeutic exercise and neurodynamics. With a multidisciplinary approach and involvement in competitive scientific projects, he represents a promising contributor to the advancement of health sciences in both research and clinical education.

Publications 

1. Montaner-Cuello, A., Ruíz-Maqueda, I., Pardos-Aguilella, P., Ciuffreda, G., Albarova-Corral, I., & Bueno-Gracia, E. (2025).
   Study of the normal response to the upper limb neurodynamic test 2b and 1 in asymptomatic violin and viola players.
   Journal of Hand Therapy.
   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2025.05.010

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2. Montaner-Cuello, A., Caudevilla-Polo, S., Rodríguez-Mena, D., Ciuffreda, G., Pardos-Aguilella, P., Albarova-Corral, I., Pérez-Rey, J., & Bueno-Gracia, E. (2024).
   Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging with electrodiagnosis in the evaluation of clinical suspicion of lumbosacral radiculopathy.
   Diagnostics, 14(12), 1258.
   https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14121258

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3. Montaner-Cuello, A., Bueno-Gracia, E., Bueno-Aranzabal, M., Borrella-Andrés, S., & López-De-Celis, C. (2020).
   Normal response to sural neurodynamic test in asymptomatic participants: A cross-sectional study.
   Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 50, 102258.
   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102258

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4. Bueno-Gracia, E., Malo-Urriés, M., Montaner-Cuello, A., Borrella-Andrés, S., & López-De-Celis, C. (2021).
   Normal response to neurodynamic test of the peroneal nerve: A cross-sectional study.
   Rehabilitation, 34(2), 243–249.
   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2021.02.005

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5. Ciuffreda, G., Bueno-Gracia, E., Albarova-Corral, I., Montaner-Cuello, A., & Pérez-Rey, J. (2024).
   Impact of Neurodynamic Sequencing on the Mechanical Behavior of the Median Nerve and Brachial Plexus: An Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Study.
   (In press)

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6. Bueno-Gracia, E., Fanlo-Mazas, P., Malo-Urriés, M., Rodríguez-Mena, D., & Montaner-Cuello, A. (2023).
   Mediating nerve stiffness with three movement sequences: Diagnostic accuracy in carpal tunnel syndrome.
   Healthcare (Switzerland), 11(24), 3138.
   https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11243138

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7. Ciuffreda, G., Stephen-De-Michael, E., Albarova-Fence, E., Malo-Urriés, M., Shacklock, M., Montaner-Cuello, A., & Bueno-Gracia, E. (2023).
   Nerve mechanical properties assessed with shear-wave elastography: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
   Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 69, 102897.
   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102897

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