The largest grant ever awarded by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists could lead to an improvement in treatment, one expert claims.

The money, which will fund new research into physiotherapy could have important implications for the treatment and care given to those with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, by those working in physiotherapy jobs. Nicola Walsh, a senior lecturer at the University of the West of England has been awarded the largest ever research grant by the society for £249,999.

According to Professor Suzanne McDonough, chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapist's Charitable Trust Scientific Panel, the funding will allow researchers to answer important questions in the right way.

She told Barchester Healthcare: "The Scientific Panel were impressed with the overall presentation and attention to detail; they especially highlighted the strength of the mixed methods approach, the statistical analysis plan and the excellent service user involvement."

The grant's announcement comes shortly after clinical director of PhysioFunction, said patients with MS benefit from physiotherapy in the early and latter stages of the condition. His comments follow the publication of new research by the University of Cambridge which suggested that damage to the body caused by MS could be reversed by activating stem cells.

"Physiotherapy can help alleviate spasms, which are rapid painful muscle contractions," he said.