University of Thessaly · Department of Physiotherapy
Advancing Exercise Science for Better Rehabilitation
Clinical Exercise Physiology & Rehabilitation Laboratory
Evidence-based research and clinical rehabilitation for chronic conditions — exercise as treatment for pain, heart disease, and breathing problems. University of Thessaly, Central Greece, since 2007.
- 15Team members
- 130+Publications
- 4Funded projects
- 2007Established
Our research
What we study
Three interconnected research lines, each led by a senior faculty PI — from the mechanisms of persistent pain to exercise prescription for chronic disease.
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Pain Science
Why pain persists after tissues heal. Nociplastic pain mechanisms, central sensitisation, chronic musculoskeletal conditions, and evidence-based assessment.
Led by Prof. Eleni Kapreli
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Cardiac Rehabilitation
Exercise-based recovery from cardiac events and management of chronic heart conditions. Wearable sensors, telerehabilitation, and home-based programmes.
Led by Assoc. Prof. Garyfallia Pepera
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Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation, breathing interventions, and digital health for COPD, post-COVID, and paediatric chronic respiratory diseases.
Led by Prof. Eleni Kortianou
About CeprLab
Research, clinical care, and education — in service of science and society
CeprLab is the Clinical Exercise Physiology & Rehabilitation Laboratory at the University of Thessaly, officially recognised by the Greek Government in 2017 (Government Gazette 2292/B/2017).
We translate physiological evidence into exercise interventions for people living with chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory conditions. Our work spans peer-reviewed research, EU-funded projects, clinical assessment, and the training of physiotherapists across Europe.
- Established 2007. Officially recognised in 2017 (ΦΕΚ 2292/Β/2017).
- 15 team members across 5 role tiers — from senior faculty to PhD candidates and technical staff.
- Four competitively funded projects — through Erasmus+, the ΕΠΑνΕΚ operational programme, and the Hellenic Cardiology Society.
- 130+ peer-reviewed publications since 2020, in journals including Journal of Clinical Medicine, Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, and Respiratory Medicine.
- National, European, and international partnerships, including King's College London and Masaryk University.
Explore
What you'll find here
Three ways into our work — whether you're a clinician seeking referral pathways, a researcher looking for collaborators, or a prospective student.
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Clinical services
Cardiac, respiratory, and pain assessments for referred patients. Evidence-based rehabilitation grounded in our published research.
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Our team
Faculty, postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates, and international collaborators. Open positions for prospective students and researchers.
Meet the team -
Publications
130+ peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters advancing the evidence base for exercise-based care.
Browse publications
Latest across the lab
What's new
The most recent work from across CeprLab — a featured project, publication, and update. Browse all news.
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SportsComp — improving competency in sports physiotherapy
A three-year Erasmus+ partnership (KA220-HED) building higher-education competencies in sports physiotherapy across European universities. Prof. Eleni Kapreli leads the University of Thessaly partner team.
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Applying nociplastic pain criteria in chronic musculoskeletal conditions
A vignette study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine evaluating how the IASP nociplastic-pain criteria perform in clinical practice. Bilika, Nijs, Kapreli and colleagues.
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30 years of Physiotherapy at Thessaly: 500+ at the Lamia congress
The Department of Physiotherapy marked 30 years with an International & Anniversary Congress in Lamia (8–10 May 2026), drawing over 500 participants and Greek and international speakers. CeprLab researchers took part in the scientific programme.
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Get involved
Become a member or collaborator
Students seeking thesis or doctoral research positions · postdoctoral researchers · visiting scholars — we'd love to hear from you.
Join us