Assoc. Prof. Ahmed ElMelhat: Associate Prof of Physical Therapy at Beirut Arab University, Lebanon
Title/Designation: Assoc. Prof.
Name: Ahmed ElMelhat
Current Role/Designation: Associate Prof of Physical Therapy
Organization/Institution Details: Beirut Arab University
Country: Lebanon
Subject Track: Sports Science
Key Areas of Expertise: Rehabilitation
Award Categories: Healthcare Innovation Award
Dr. Ahmed M. ElMelhat is an Egyptian academic and clinician with over 15 years of combined clinical, teaching, and research experience in the field of physical therapy. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University (BAU), Lebanon, and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and Sports Injuries, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt. Dr. ElMelhat is renowned for his expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, orthopedic manual therapy, and evidence-based clinical practice. He is a certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (UK), an active member of the APTA, and holds international affiliations including the International Headache Society. His work bridges academia, clinical practice, and research to advance physiotherapy education and patient care.
Online Profiles
Dr. Ahmed M. ElMelhat has demonstrated a consistent and growing impact in the field of physical therapy research. As per Google Scholar, his work has accumulated a total of 115 citations, with 105 citations received since 2020. He holds an h-index of 5, indicating that at least five of his publications have each been cited five times, and an i10-index of 4, reflecting four publications with ten or more citations. These metrics underscore the relevance and influence of his research, particularly in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, manual therapy, and evidence-based clinical practices.
Education
Dr. ElMelhat earned his Ph.D. in Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and Surgeries from Cairo University in 2019 with a thesis focusing on cervicothoracic mobilization for shoulder impingement syndrome. He obtained his Master’s degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 2015 from the same institution, where he ranked first in his class. His Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy was completed in 2009 at Cairo University with distinction (88.68%, ranked 3rd). Throughout his academic journey, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to advanced clinical skills, research excellence, and continuous education.
Research Focus
Dr. ElMelhat’s research interests lie in evidence-based musculoskeletal rehabilitation, particularly the development of clinical prediction rules, manual therapy approaches, and biomechanical analysis in physical therapy. His recent studies explore proximal control strategies, scapular-focused training, and the impact of thoracic manipulation on shoulder and knee pathologies. His work also investigates rehabilitation outcomes in athletes and post-operative patients using validated clinical metrics. Dr. ElMelhat integrates laboratory-based studies with clinical applications, aiming to enhance rehabilitation outcomes and therapeutic decision-making in physical therapy.
Experience
With a multifaceted career, Dr. ElMelhat has held several academic positions including Lecturer, Teaching Assistant, and Supervisor of postgraduate research. He has taught a wide range of courses, including advanced musculoskeletal physical therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, and sports injury management at Cairo University and BAU. Clinically, he has served as a consultant physiotherapist for Al Ahly Sporting Club, Shalan Hospital, and other medical centers. He is highly experienced in the use of isokinetic testing (Biodex), post-operative rehabilitation, and managing complex cases of chronic pain. He has also trained over 1,000 professionals through workshops and postgraduate clinical training programs across the Middle East.
Research Timeline & Activities
Since 2014, Dr. ElMelhat has consistently published in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to international physical therapy conferences. His M.Sc. (2015) explored quadriceps torque in early knee osteoarthritis, while his Ph.D. (2019) examined cervicothoracic mobilization in shoulder impingement. From 2020 onwards, he supervised multiple M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses and led research on scapular stabilization, hip strengthening, and proprioception retraining. He has served as a speaker at major events, including the 23rd International PT Conference at Cairo University (2024) and International PT Conferences in UAE, Egypt, and Lebanon, contributing to knowledge exchange and professional development across borders.
Awards & Honors
Dr. ElMelhat has received multiple recognitions for his academic and clinical contributions. He was awarded by the President of Cairo University (2019) for outstanding international publications and by the Faculty of Physical Therapy for his active role in the WCPT accreditation process. He also received certificates of appreciation for his participation in community medical convoys, national conferences, and continuous education programs. His dedication to academic excellence and social responsibility has made him a respected figure among students, colleagues, and healthcare institutions.
Top Noted Publications
Non-Surgical Approaches to the Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation Associated with Radiculopathy
AM ElMelhat, Deed E. Harrison, Ahmed S. A. Youssef, Moustafa R. Zebdawi, Maya A…
Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol. 13(4), Article 974, 2024
Citations: 45Effect of Equiosmolar Solutions of Hypertonic Sodium Lactate versus Mannitol in Craniectomy Patients with Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
MR Ahmad, H Hanna
Medical Journal of Indonesia, Vol. 23(1), pp. 30–35, 2014
Citations: 17Effect of Adding Virtual Reality Training to Traditional Exercise Program on Pain, Mental Status and Psychological Status in Unilateral Traumatic Lower Limb Amputees
RL Abbas, D Cooreman, HA Sultan, ME Nayal, IM Saab, AE Khatib, A ElMelhat…
Games for Health Journal, Vol. 13(4), pp. 245–251, 2024
Citations: 12Comparison Between Prophylactic versus Therapeutic Doses of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin in Severely Ill COVID-19 Patients in Relation to Disease Progression
A ElMelhat, E Elbourai, H Dewedar, T Elgergawi, M Alkhanbouli…
Dubai Medical Journal, Vol. 3(4), pp. 162–169, 2020
Citations: 11Effect of Adding Thoracic Manipulation for the Management of Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
AM El Melhat, RL Abbas, MR Zebdawi, AM Ali Ismail
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, Vol. 41(1), pp. 65–78, 2025
Citations: 9
Strengths for the Healthcare Innovation Award
Evidence-Based Innovation in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Dr. ElMelhat has consistently led research that transforms clinical decision-making through the development of clinical prediction rules, biomechanical analysis, and manual therapy approaches. His work bridges the gap between research and real-world application, particularly in conditions like shoulder impingement and knee osteoarthritis, providing clinicians with evidence-backed tools to improve patient outcomes.Integration of Technology in Rehabilitation
Demonstrating a forward-thinking approach, Dr. ElMelhat has contributed to virtual reality integration in post-amputation rehabilitation, showing measurable improvements in pain and psychological status. This reflects his commitment to digital health innovation, enhancing traditional physiotherapy practices with cutting-edge technology.Capacity Building and Regional Impact
With over 1,000 professionals trained across Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, Dr. ElMelhat has played a pivotal role in regional healthcare education and upskilling. His workshops on spinal manipulation and joint rehabilitation contribute to a more skilled, innovative, and responsive physiotherapy workforce across the Middle East.Dual Academic-Clinical Leadership
Holding senior positions at both Beirut Arab University and Cairo University, he merges academic rigor with hands-on clinical expertise. His leadership in postgraduate curriculum development, research supervision, and WCPT accreditation demonstrates his ability to drive systemic innovation in physiotherapy education.Recognized Research Excellence and Knowledge Dissemination
With over 115 citations, multiple invited lectures, and active contributions to international conferences, Dr. ElMelhat is a recognized thought leader. His publications in top-ranked journals, including the Journal of Clinical Medicine and Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, validate the global relevance and scientific quality of his innovations in healthcare.