About

Dr Reza Safari is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Derby and an applied health and rehabilitation researcher. His work focuses on improving functional independence, mobility, and quality of life for people living with long-term conditions, particularly older adults and individuals with complex health needs.

His research spans ageing and frailty, rehabilitation outcomes, digital health, and assistive technologies, including prosthetics and orthotics. He is particularly interested in developing and evaluating interventions that support community-based care, self-management, and improved participation for people living with chronic health conditions.

His research programme focuses on improving rehabilitation pathways and service delivery through the development and evaluation of digital health and self-management interventions, research on ageing and frailty, and assistive technologies that support mobility, independence, and participation in everyday life.

Before joining the University of Derby in 2016, he worked clinically as a prosthetist-orthotist, supporting individuals with mobility impairments, including those with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. This clinical background informs his research on rehabilitation pathways, mobility, and functional outcomes.

He has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications and serves as Associate Editor for Prosthetics and Orthotics International. He welcomes collaboration and PhD supervision in ageing and frailty, rehabilitation research, digital health, prosthetics and orthotics, and long-term condition management.

Research interests

Reza’s research focuses on improving functional independence, mobility, and quality of life for people living with long-term conditions. His work spans digital health and self-management, ageing and frailty, rehabilitation outcomes, and assistive technologies, including prosthetics and orthotics. He is particularly interested in developing and evaluating interventions that support community-based care, rehabilitation, and long-term condition management for individuals with complex health needs. His research uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate complex interventions, assistive technologies, and health service delivery models

Research interests include:

• Rehabilitation outcomes and functional independence
• Ageing, frailty and community-based care
• Digital health and self-management for long-term conditions
• Prosthetics, orthotics and assistive technologies
• Musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation
• Evidence synthesis and complex intervention evaluation

Recent publications

Reza has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications spanning ageing and frailty, rehabilitation outcomes, digital health, and prosthetics and orthotics. His research includes feasibility trials, advanced evidence synthesis (including network meta-analysis), health services research, and evaluation of rehabilitation interventions for people living with long-term conditions.

His work has been published in journals including Multiple Sclerosis Journal, Behaviour Research & Therapy, Journal of Medical Internet Research, and BMC Geriatrics, and has been cited internationally.

A full list of publications is available at:

UDORA

University of Derby Online Research Archive

Google Scholar profile

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Z1piqhIAAAAJ&hl=en

Membership of professional bodies

HCPC-Registered Prosthetist/Orthotist (OP4348)

Professional interests

Associate Editor, Prosthetics and Orthotics International, supporting peer review and editorial decision-making for an international journal in rehabilitation and assistive technology.

Member, University Research Ethics Committee, contributing to the ethical review and governance of research involving human participants.

PhD Supervision, supervising postgraduate research students in areas including rehabilitation research, assistive technologies, and long-term condition management.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. Prosthetics and Orthotics - University of Strathclyde, UK
• MSc Prosthetics and Orthotics - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Iran
• BSc Prosthetics and Orthotics - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Iran

In the media

Blog Post - Which therapies work best in reducing fatigue?

International experience

Previously, he worked as an Assistant Professor of Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Iran.

Teaching responsibilities

Reza teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate prosthetics and orthotics programmes. His teaching integrates clinical practice, research evidence, and inclusive pedagogy to support students in developing both theoretical understanding and practical competence.

He leads and contributes to modules including Prosthetic and Orthotic Practice, Biomechanics, Anatomy and Physiology, Evidence-Based Practice, and Work-Based Project (Dissertation), and provides supervision for postgraduate research students.

He contributes to Clinical Skills Weeks and provides structured one-to-one supervision for apprenticeship students and final-year research projects. Reza is also involved in curriculum development and enhancement aligned with professional and regulatory standards.