Thiru Annaswamy

Thiru Annaswamy, MD, MA, holds the Rocco Ortenzio Chair in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Pennsylvania State University, with affiliations to the Penn State Neuroscience Institute. His research focuses on spine disorders, clinical practice guidelines, and technology integration in rehabilitation.

• Research Interests: Specializing in low back pain, lumbar spinal stenosis, and electromyography, he bridges clinical practice guidelines with emerging technologies like augmented reality and AI to enhance telehealth diagnostics and patient communication.
• Publication Trends: Recent work includes developing appropriate use criteria for spinal fractures, exploring AI (ChatGPT) in pain management communication, and applying socioecological frameworks to address climate change impacts on rehabilitation outcomes.
• Collaborations: Engages in interdisciplinary collaborations, including musculoskeletal examination systems using augmented reality and cross-institutional studies on spine disorders.
• SDG Contributions: His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly addressing intersectionality in disability, climate change, and equitable rehabilitation access.