Emmanuel Dias de Sousa Lopes is a distinguished researcher and academic in the field of health sciences, with expertise in physiotherapy, gerontology, Alzheimer’s disease, and elderly care. His work integrates clinical practice, teaching, and research to improve the health, functionality, and quality of life of older adults. With advanced training across multiple institutions, he has established himself as a respected scholar whose contributions span physiotherapy, exercise interventions, cognitive health, and elder abuse prevention. His research and publications reflect a deep commitment to addressing critical issues in aging, healthcare, and rehabilitation, positioning him as a valuable contributor to both scientific advancement and clinical application.
Professional Profile
ORCID | Google Scholar
Education
Lopes’s academic trajectory demonstrates consistent excellence and dedication to elderly health research. He completed his undergraduate studies in Physiotherapy at the Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), where his thesis examined the effects of Pilates exercises on the respiratory muscle strength of older women. He then pursued a Master’s degree in Health Care at UFTM, focusing on the effectiveness of dual-task exercise programs on cognitive and motor functions of elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. His doctoral training at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) further expanded his expertise, where he conducted a time-series analysis of reported cases of violence against elderly people in Campinas, Brazil, emphasizing the importance of health information systems in monitoring and addressing elder abuse. More recently, Lopes completed a postdoctoral program at the Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais (HRAC), strengthening his role as a researcher in multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Alongside formal degrees, he enriched his expertise with complementary courses on Alzheimer’s disease, therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, ergonomics, and neuro-motor development.
Experience
Lopes has held several academic and professional positions that highlight his leadership and teaching expertise. He served as a supervisor of physiotherapy internships at Faculdade Anhanguera de Campinas and Faculdade Anhanguera de Sumaré, guiding students in ambulatory care, worker’s health, elderly care, and basic healthcare. He also worked at Fisioterapia Campos, where he coordinated the postgraduate program in Geriatrics and Gerontology and taught courses on aging, frailty, dizziness and falls, and long-term elderly care. As a professor at the Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG), he taught subjects including history and legislation of physiotherapy, research methods, supervised internships, and geriatric physiotherapy. He further contributed to Centro Universitário UNA as a lecturer in physiotherapy, addressing topics such as life stages and human movement. His academic journey also includes research fellowships during his master’s and doctoral studies, supported by Brazil’s federal research funding agency CAPES.
Research Focus
Lopes’s research lies at the intersection of physiotherapy, gerontology, and public health. His work on Alzheimer’s disease emphasizes the impact of physical exercise interventions on cognitive and motor function, highlighting the role of dual-task training in improving quality of life. Beyond clinical outcomes, he has also addressed broader social determinants of elderly health, particularly elder abuse, neglect, and violence. By analyzing time-series data and conducting integrative reviews, he has shed light on the incidence, reporting, and implications of elder mistreatment in Brazil. His research contributions extend to pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise physiology, and cognitive health, with a focus on translating evidence into clinical practice and public health strategies.
Awards and Honors
Lopes’s dedication to research has been recognized with academic honors, including a distinguished mention for his study on the effectiveness of dual-task physical exercise in improving cognitive functions of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This recognition at a major medical congress reflected the clinical relevance and scientific rigor of his work, further solidifying his reputation in geriatric physiotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Benefits of Multimodal Exercise Intervention for BDNF and Cytokines Levels, Cognitive Function, and Motor Functionality in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Emmanuel Dias de Sousa Lopes; Flávia Gomes de Melo Coelho; Sheilla Tribess; Jonatas da Silva Catarino; Bruno Naves Ferreira; Marina de Melo Reis; Antônio Ribeiro Neto; Carlo José Freire Oliveira; Jair Sindra Virtuoso Júnior
Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Summary: This preliminary study examined the impact of multimodal exercise on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on BDNF and cytokine levels, cognition, and motor function. Results indicated that exercise may enhance neuroplasticity, regulate inflammation, and improve cognitive and physical performance, supporting its role as a complementary therapeutic strategy.
Title: Violência contra a pessoa idosa no município de Campinas, São Paulo, nos últimos 11 anos: uma análise temporal
Authors: Emmanuel Dias de Sousa Lopes; Maria José D´Elboux
Journal: Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia
Summary: This study analyzed reported cases of violence against older adults in Campinas, São Paulo, over an 11-year period. It identified temporal patterns and highlighted the persistence of abuse in various forms, emphasizing the need for targeted policies, prevention strategies, and support systems for the elderly population.
Title: Treino muscular inspiratório em idosos na ventilação mecânica: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Aurea Gonçalves Ferreira; Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira; Emmanuel Dias de Souza Lopes; Rodrigo Marques Tonella; Cláudia Regina Barbosa; Luiz Cláudio Martins
Journal: Saúde (Santa Maria)
Summary: This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training in elderly patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Findings suggest that this intervention can improve respiratory function, reduce complications, and facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation, making it a promising supportive therapy in geriatric intensive care.
Title: Elder abuse in Brazil: an integrative review
Authors: Emmanuel Dias de Sousa Lopes; Áurea Gonçalves Ferreira; Carolina Gonçalves Pires; Márcia Cristina Souza de Moraes; Maria José D´Elboux
Journal: Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia
Summary: This integrative review compiled research on elder abuse in Brazil, discussing prevalence, forms of abuse, and associated risk factors. It revealed gaps in reporting, cultural challenges, and limited protective measures, stressing the urgency of raising awareness and strengthening public health policies for elder protection.
Title: Treinamento físico multimodal com dupla tarefa na doença de Alzheimer: efeito nas funções cognitivas e na força muscular
Authors: Bruno Naves Ferreira; Emmanuel Dias de Sousa Lopes; Isadora Ferreira Henriques; Marina De Melo Reis; Amanda Morais de Pádua; Karina De Figueiredo; Fernanda Aparecida Lopes Magno; Flávia Gomes de Melo Coelho
Journal: Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance
Summary: This study explored the effects of dual-task multimodal physical training on patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Results showed improvements in cognitive functions and muscle strength, suggesting that combining physical and cognitive challenges in training can slow disease progression and improve quality of life.