Prof. Dr. Irina Nast

Work at ZHAW

Position

Head of MSc focus area "professional development"

Experience

• lecturer and researcher at the institute of physiotherapy
  Zurich University of Applied Sciences
  10 / 2010 - today
• Teacher in psychology
  Educational center for business in Weinfelden
  08 / 2006 - 07 / 2011
• PhD student at the National Centre of Competence in Research sesam (Swiss Etiological Study of Adjustment and Mental Health)
  University of Basel
  10 / 2006 - 03 / 2010
• Research assistant
  ETH Zurich
  03 / 2003 - 09 / 2006

Education and Continuing education

Education

• PhD / Psychology
  University of Basel
  10 / 2006 - 12 / 2013
• MSc / Psychology, Psychopathology of adulthood, Social and preventive medicine
  University of Zurich
  09 / 1997 - 12 / 2005

Continuing Education

• Certificate of Advanced Studies in health economics
  Zurich University of Applied Sciences
  11 / 2021
• Certificate of Advanced Studies in University Didactics
  Zurich University of Teacher Education
  01 / 2016

Network

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8791-9834

Projects

• Exercise is Medicine Switzerland: contextual analysis for the implementation of physical activity counselling in physiotherapy / Team member / ongoing
• HoloTeach – a virtual therapy guidance system for personalized rehabilitation after stroke / Team member / ongoing
• Ethical dimensions of digital technology-assisted physiotherapy: fundamentals for ethics education of physiotherapists / Co-project leader / ongoing
• Holoreach / Team member / completed
• T-Chair II – Assistive therapy concept for trunk balance & stability after stroke / Team member / completed
• Valedo Neck Therapy / Team member / completed
• Mobility needs of clients with impairment using transport services / Team member / completed
• Evaluation a of falls prevention programme / Team member / completed
• Research evidence to support the work of the professional association / Project leader / completed
• Experience keep people Active / Team member / completed
• Evaluation of a proposal for reform of the physiotherapy fee schedule / Team member / completed
• 2PCS – Personal Caring and Protection System / Team member / completed
• Physiotherapy Research Priorities: how are they defined and what is expected? / Team member / completed
• Educational Activities for Health Professionals / Team member / completed
• Direct Access to Physiotherapy in Switzerland / Team member / completed

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

• Niedermann, K., Meichtry, A., Zindel, B., Ernst, M., Krafft, V., Mattli, R., Nast, I., Wieser, S., Wirz, M., & Brunner, B. (2024). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a single home-based fall prevention program : a prospective observational study based on questionnaires and claims data. BMC Geriatrics, 24(1), 1044. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05586-x
• Wirz, M., Nast, I., Rausch, A.-K., Beyer, S., Hetzel, J., & Hofer, M. (2024). Evaluation of the post-COVID multidisciplinary outpatient clinic at the Pulmonary Division of the Cantonal Hospital Winterthur from the patient’s perspective : a mixed-methods study. Swiss Medical Weekly, 154(8), 3622. https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3622
• Matile, F., Nast, I., & Niedermann, K. (2024). Facilitators, barriers and support needs to GLA:D exercise adherence : a mixed method study. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 16(1), 130. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00913-6
• Scheermesser, M., Baumgartner, D., Nast, I., Bansi, J., Kool, J., Bischof, P., & Bauer, C. (2024). Therapists and patients perceptions of a mixed reality system designed to improve trunk control and upper extremity function. Scientific Reports, 14(6598). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55692-4
• Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Ernst, M., Sommer, B., Schmid, P. M., Weisenhorn, M., Bärtschi, E., Gomez, D., Iten, P., von Wartburg, A., Frey, W., Lünenburger, L., & Bauer, C. (2024). Usability of a visual feedback system to assess and improve movement disorders related to neck pain : perceptions of physical therapists and patients. Heliyon, 10(5), e26931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26931
• Reicherzer, L., Wirz, M., & Nast, I. (2023). Die berufliche Situation von Physiotherapeut*innen im Schweizer Gesundheitswesen : eine Analyse der Strukturerhebungsdaten 2016–2018. Physioscience, 19(04), 180–189. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2001-4705
• Ettlin, L., Bruderer-Hofstetter, M., Rausch Osthoff, A.-K., Nast, I., Gaugler, O., & Niedermann, K. (2022). Evaluation of the strategy for implementing the GLA:D programme in Switzerland : protocol for an implementation-effectiveness hybrid type 3 design study with a mixed-method approach. BMJ Open, 12(6), e057993. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057993
• Rausch, A.-K., Vliet Vlieland, T. P. M., Meichtry, A., van Bodegom-Vos, L., Topalidis, B., Büchi, S., Nast, I., Ciurea, A., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2022). Lessons learned from a pilot implementation of physical activity recommendations in axial spondyloarthritis exercise group therapy. BMC Rheumatology, 6(12). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-021-00233-z
• Rausch Osthoff, A.-K., Nast, I., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2022). Understanding beliefs related to physical activity in people living with axial Spondyloarthritis : a theory-informed qualitative study. BMC Rheumatology, 6(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-022-00270-2
• Mitteregger, E., Wehrli, M., Theiler, M., Logoteta, J., Nast, I., Seliner, B., & Latal, B. (2021). Parental experience of the neuromotor development of children with congenital heart disease : an exploratory qualitative study. BMC Pediatrics, 21(430). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02808-8
• Bauer, C. M., Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Kuster, R. P., Textor, D., Wenger, M., Kool, J., & Baumgartner, D. (2021). A novel assistive therapy chair to improve trunk control during neurorehabilitation : perceptions of physical therapists and patients. Applied Ergonomics, 94(103390). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103390
• Ettlin, L., Rausch Osthoff, A.-K., Nast, I., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2021). Applicability of exercise and education programmes for knee osteoarthritis management to Switzerland. Frontiers in Health Services, 1(760814). https://doi.org/10.3389/frhs.2021.760814
• Ettlin, L., Nast, I., Huber, E. O., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2021). Does the conservative non-pharmacological management of knee osteoarthritis in Switzerland reflect the clinical guidelines? : a survey among general practitioners, rheumatologists, and orthopaedic surgeons. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2(658831). https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2021.658831
• Niedermann Schneider, K., Nast, I., Ciurea, A., Vliet Vlieland, T., & van Bodegom-Vos, L. (2018). Barriers and facilitators of vigorous cardiorespiratory training in axial Spondyloarthritis : surveys among patients, physiotherapists, rheumatologists. Arthritis Care & Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23705
• Unternaehrer, E., Bolten, M., Nast, I., Staehli, S., Meyer, A. H., Dempster, E., Hellhammer, D. H., Lieb, R., & Meinlschmidt, G. (2016). Maternal adversities during pregnancy and cord blood oxytocin receptor (OXTR) DNA methylation. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(9), 1460–1470. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsw051
• Amacher-Schelldorfer, A. E., Nast, I., Zindel, B., Schmid, L., Krafft, V., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2016). Experiences of general practitioners, home care nurses, physiotherapists and seniors involved in a multidisciplinary home-based fall prevention programme : a mixed method study. BMC Health Services Research, 16(469). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1719-5
• Nast, I., Tal, A., Schmidt, S., Schoeb, V., Rau, B., Barbero, M., & Kool, J. (2016). Physiotherapy research priorities in Switzerland : views of the various stakeholders. Physiotherapy Research International, 21(3), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1621
• Schoeb, V., Rau, B., Nast, I., Schmid, S., Barbero, M., Tal, A., & Kool, J. (2014). How do patients, politicians, physiotherapists and other health professionals view physiotherapy research in Switzerland? : a qualitative study. Physiotherapy Research International, 19(2), 79–92. https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1560
• Bolten, M., Nast, I., Skrundz, M., Stadler, C., Hellhammer, D. H., & Meinlschmidt, G. (2013). Prenatal programming of emotion regulation : neonatal reactivity as a differential susceptibility factor moderating the outcome of prenatal cortisol levels. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 75(4), 351–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2013.04.014
• Nast, I., Bolten, M., Meinlschmidt, G., & Hellhammer, D. H. (2013). How to measure prenatal stress? : a systematic review of psychometric instruments to assess psychosocial stress during pregnancy. Allergology International, 27(4), 313–322. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppe.12051
• Skrundz, M., Bolten, M., Nast, I., Hellhammer, D. H., & Meinlschmidt, G. (2011). Plasma oxytocin concentration during pregnancy is associated with development of postpartum depression. Neuropsychopharmacology, 36(9), 1886–1893. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2011.74
• Bornmann, L., Nast, I., & Daniel, H.-D. (2008). Do editors and referees look for signs of scientific misconduct when reviewing manuscripts? : a quantitative content analysis of studies that examined review criteria and reasons for accepting and rejecting manuscripts for publication. Scientometrics, 77(3), 415–432. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-1950-2

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

• Burget, J. L., Scheermesser, M., Nast, I., & Meichtry, A. (2025). Validierung des deutschsprachigen MRPS-Fragebogens zur Patientenzufriedenheit in der Physiotherapie. Physioswiss Kongress, Basel, Schweiz, 24.-25. Oktober 2025.
• Nast, I., Niedermann, K., Carlander, M., Mattli, R., Rausch-Osthoff, A.-K., Sommer, B., Wieber, F., & Wirz, M. (2023, June). Exercise is medicine : Integration in das Schweizer Gesundheitssystem und internationale Best Practices. 2. Sports, Medicine and Health Summit (SMHS), Hamburg, Deutschland, 22.-24. Juni 2023.
• Nast, I., Beyer, S., Egli, S., Rausch, A.-K., Wirz, M., Hetzel, J., & Hofer, M. (2023, January). Langzeitfolgen nach akuter SARS-Cov-2-Infektion : Evaluation der Post-COVID-Sprechstunde am Kantonsspital Winterthur aus der Perspektive der Patient:innen. 3. Public Health 3-Länder-Tagung, Lindau, Deutschland, 20.-21. Januar 2023.
• Kofler, N., Graf, E., Nast, I., Wirz, M., & Scheermesser, M. (2022, July). Robots as therapists : patients’ experiences, motivation and expectations with robot-assisted training - a qualitative study. RehabWeek, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 25-29 July 2022.
• Schmelzer, S., Hollenstein, E., Huber, M., Nast, I., Wirz, M., & Liberatore, F. (2020). The impact of task shifting on perceived working conditions and interprofessional collaboration of health professionals : evidence from implementing two task shifting in a Swiss hospital. 20th EURAM Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland, 4-6 December 2020.
• Niedermann Schneider, K., Zindel, B., Meichtry, A., Krafft, V., Nast, I., Ernst, M., & Wirz, M. (2019, May 11). A single home-based fall prevention intervention reduces falls in seniors. World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress 2019, Geneva, 10-13 May 2019.

Other publications

• Ettlin, L., Nast, I., Huber, E. O., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2021). Conservative non-pharmacological management of knee osteoarthritis in Switzerland : there is an evidence-performance gap. 2. Kooperationskongress SMARTER REHA, Online, 6.-7. Mai 2021. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-22481
• Nast, I., Carlander, M., Mattli, R., Rausch Osthoff, A.-K., Sommer, B., Wieber, F., Wirz, M., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2020). Bewegung als Therapie : Schlussbericht im Auftrag des Bundesamts für Gesundheit (BAG). ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-22129
• Nast, I. (2020). Indikatoren für den Fachkräftemangel in der Physiotherapie und das Potenzial innovativer Versorgungsmodelle. Physioactive, 56(8), 5–11.
• Schmelzer, S., Hollenstein, E., Stahl, J., Wirz, M., Huber, M., Nast, I., & Liberatore, F. (2020). Task Shifting in der inter-professionellen Zusammenarbeit. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-20950
• Nast, I. (2019). Professionelle Grenzen überwinden : Chancen innovativer Versorgungsmodelle : Antrittsvorlesung am Departement Gesundheit der ZHAW. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
• Nast, I., Mischker, A., Repschläger, U., Heine, M., Scheermesser, M., Wirz, M., & Schämann, A. (2018). Das Modellvorhaben Physiotherapie der BIG direkt gesund und des IFK e. V. : welche Heilmittel wählen Physiotherapeuten bei Unabhängigkeit von der ärztlichen Verordnung? Physioscience, 14(2), 69–79. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0602-0947
• Eberli-Kappeler, U., Nast, I., Huber, E., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2018). 60plus : Förderfaktoren und Barrieren für die Teilnahme an einem Bewegungsförderungsprogramm. Physioscience, 14(3), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0658-0483
• Schämann, A., Wirz, M., & Nast, I. (2018). Wissenschaftliche Methodik. Physiotherapie, 12–14. https://www.ifk.de/sites/default/files/redaktion/anhaenge/PT_Sonderdruck_Modellvorhaben_18.pdf
• Nast, I., Allet, L., Bürge, E., Scheermesser, M., Stegen, C. M., & Schämann, A. (2013). Direktzugang zur Physiotherapie : wie entscheiden Schweizer Physiotherapeuten beim Erstkontakt über das weitere Vorgehen? Physioscience, 9(4), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1355985
• Scheermesser, M., Allet, L., Bürge, E., Stegen, C. M., Nast, I., & Schämann, A. (2011). Direktzugang zur Physiotherapie in der Schweiz : kulturelle Validierung eines Fragebogens und Untersuchung der Einstellung von Physiotherapeuten. Physioscience, 7(4), 143–149. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1281837

Oral conference contributions and abstracts

• Reicherzer, L., Rausch, A.-K., Bruderer-Hofstetter, M., & Nast, I. (2025). Bewegungsberatung für mehr körperliche Aktivität im Alltag älterer Personen : eine Konzeptentwicklung [Conference presentation]. Physioscience, 21(S 03), S19–S20. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0045-1812392
• Wieber, F., Nast, I., Carlander, M., Mattli, R., Rausch, A.-K., Sommer, B., Wirz, M., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2022, September 5). Prescribing physical activity : status quo of the integration in Swiss healthcare system and international best practices. 17th Conference of the Swiss Psychological Society, Zurich, Switzerland, 4-6 September 2022. https://sps2022.psychologie.uzh.ch/symposia-monday-5-september-2022-1030-1200/
• Niedermann Schneider, K., Meichtry, A., Zindel, B., Brunner, B., Ernst, M., Krafft, V., Mattli, R., Nast, I., Wirz, M., & Wieser, S. (2021). Evaluation des Programms “Sicher durch den Alltag” : Ist es nachhaltig wirksam und wirtschaftlich? Delegiertenversammlung Rheumaliga Schweiz, online, 21. Mai 2021.
• Niedermann Schneider, K., Meichtry, A., Zindel, B., Brunner, B., Ernst, M., Krafft, V., Mattli, R., Nast, I., Wirz, M., & Wieser, S. (2021). Valutazione del programma “Sicuri tutti i giorni” : è sostenibile, efficace ed economico? Jahrestreffen der Physio-/Ergotherapeut/innen im RLS Sturzpräventionsprojekt, Bellinzona, Schweiz, 15. Juni 2021.
• Niedermann Schneider, K., Meichtry, A., Zindel, B., Brunner, B., Ernst, M., Krafft, V., Mattli, R., Nast, I., Wirz, M., & Wieser, S. (2021). Evaluation des Programms “Sicher durch den Alltag” : ist es nachhaltig wirksam und wirtschaftlich? RLS Jahrestreffen für Physio- und Ergotherapeut/innen im Projekt “Sicher durch den Alltag”, Zürich, 11. Juni 2021.
• Niedermann Schneider, K., Meichtry, A., Zindel, B., Brunner, B., Ernst, M., Krafft, V., Mattli, R., Nast, I., Wirz, M., & Wieser, S. (2021). The fall prevention programme ‘Sicher durch den Alltag’ is effective and cost-effective [Conference presentation]. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 80(Supplement 1), 95. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.3453
• Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Wirz, M., & Schämann, A. (2019). Who makes the treatment choice? : a randomized controlled trial of a German model of primary care with greater physiotherapists’ autonomy. WCPT Congress Proceedings.
• Nast, I., & Heine, M. (2019). Auf zu neuen Ufern : das IFK-Modellvorhaben für mehr Autonomie. Therapie Leipzig, Leipzig, 9. März 2019.
• Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Bruderer-Hofstetter, M., Heinzmann Stettler, C. T., Saner-Bissig, J., Wirz, M., & Schämann, A. (2019). Advanced practice in physiotherapy : an actual literature overview. WCPT Congress Proceedings.
• Nast, I. (2019). Internationale Entwicklungen im Bereich Advanced Practice. 1. Swiss APP-Symposium : Grundlagen und Zukunftsperspektiven, Winterthur, 25. Januar 2019.
• Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Bruderer-Hofstetter, M., Heinzmann Stettler, C. T., Horvath, C., Huber, M., Keller, M., Müller, U., Saner-Bissig, J., Tschupp, K., & Schämann, A. (2018). Enhancing professional perspectives : development of physiotherapy advanced practice models in Switzerland. 1st International Conference: «Countering Staff Shortage among Health Professions», Bern, 25-26 Oktober 2018.
• Nast, I. (2018). Erweiterte Rollenfunktionen von medizinischen Gesundheitsberufen in der Rehabilitation : Erfahrungen aus dem In- und Ausland. SAR-FORUM, Bad Zurzach, 14. Juni 2018.
• Wirz, M., Bauer, C., Nast, I., Graf, E., & Schämann, A. (2016). Entwicklung, Implementierung und Evaluation neuer Technologien in der Physiotherapie. Abstractband Forschungssymposium Physiotherapie 2016.
• Niedermann Schneider, K., Nast, I., Zenger, D., Vliet Vlieland, T., & van Bodegom-Vos, L. (2014, September 4). Barrieren und Förderfaktoren für Herzkreislauf Training aus Sicht von Bechterew-Betroffenen und Physiotherapeuten. Symposium Health Professionals in Rheumatology, Interlaken, Schweiz, 4.-5. September 2014.
• Nast, I., Allet, L., Scheermesser, M., Stegen, C. M., Bürge, E., & Schämann, A. (2012). Direkt zur Physiotherapie? : Vorgehen Schweizer Physiotherapeutinnen und -therapeuten im Fall des Direktzugangs. Swiss Congress for Health Professions, Winterthur, 31. Mai - 1. Juni 2012.
• Schoeb, V., Rau, B., Nast, I., Barbero, M., Tal, A., & Kool, J. (2012). What do patients, politicians, physiotherapists and other health professionals think about physiotherapy research? : a nation-wide qualitative study. Swiss Congress for Health Professions, Winterthur, 31. Mai - 1. Juni 2012.
• Nast, I., Barbero, M., Schoeb, V., Tal, A., Masotti, B., Rau, B., Schmid, S., & Kool, J. (2012, May). Swiss research priorities : how are they defined and what is expected? Physio Congress 2012, Geneva, 10-11 May 2012.

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