Category: Research

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Research

Survey on Telerehabilitation for Physical Rehabilitation Clinicians

Our survey on telerehabilitation for physical rehabilitation clinicians is now available.  This survey is part of a pan-Canadian study funded by the CIHR on telerehabilitation entitled: Avoiding pitfalls in virtual care: paving the way for more ethical and equitable standards of practice in rehabilitation, led by Professors Dahlia Kairy and Anne Hudon from the University of Montreal.

Here is the link for the survey:

https://bit.ly/Sondage_Cliniciens_Telereadaptation_Clinician_telerehabilitation_survey

Who is the survey for?

All clinicians who practice physical rehabilitation, including:

-Physiotherapists/Physiotherapy technologists

-Occupational therapists

-Spe3ch language pathologists/ Audiologists

-Neuropsychologists /Psychologists

-Vision therapists

AND :

– those who have used or are currently using telerehabilitation in their practice or;
– who are interested in telerehabilitation (even if they never used it)

Objective of the survey:

This project aims to better understand the rapid scaling up of telerehabilitation and draw a portrait of telerehabilitation telepractices in Canada in order to create tools to facilitate the adoption of telerehabilitation based on best practices from an ethical point of view. The results of the survey will help us identify obstacles, facilitators and ethical issues in order to support the scaling up and sustainability of telerehabilitation in Canada.

The survey is confidential and lasts approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Please also help us continue to share the survey to reach a broad audience! Here are some ideas how you can share information about the survey, including a short informative video about the survey:

Thank you for your participation!

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Newsletter Research

Update: Sociodemographic variable collection in MSK health research in Canada

Dr. David Walton (Western University) has shared an update regarding his recent polling of Network researchers and the collection of sociodemographic data in their studies:

Earlier this year I invited members of the MSK RNN to share examples of recent data collection forms on which questions related to participant characteristics (e.g., demographics, social data) were posed. I received 18 such forms from across the country, and thank those who took the time to share. I extracted all questions verbatim, including response options/structures, and thematically grouped them to better understand a) what types of participant characteristics were being asked and b) how we were asking them. I was able to identify 26 different constructs collected across the 18 forms. Importantly, I did not collect names of who submitted so the findings are anonymous. Amongst the findings were:

1. Only one construct was collected across all 18 forms: age. And where it was collected, only twice was it collected using the exact same wording (i.e.,: “Age: ____”). Others were various forms of “What is your age in years?” or “What is your birthdate” to varying levels of precision (year, month/year, day/month/year). While the differences may be subtle, they are not likely completely benign. Sex was the next most frequent question, showing up on 75% of forms, and 6 constructs (ages, sex, gender, race/ethnicity, employment, education) were collected on at least half. Across forms, it was very rare that any question was asked the exact same way twice;

2. There appears to be confusion around some terms, most commonly related to sex v gender and race v ethnicity, revealed through response options that did not always align with the question being asked. We also seem to remain committed to use of ‘other’ in our response options for many intersectional identity questions, despite a growing number of EDI offices encouraging a move away from non-inclusive language;

3. Interesting was the rarity with which questions or phrasing were aligned with those used in existing large-scale databases (e.g., StatsCan, CLSA) or guidance documents from groups like CIHI or the Federal Government of Canada. Importantly, this is not some kind of admonishment – I very much include myself in each of these findings. Rather it begs a larger question in my mind – do many of us in the MSK health research field not align with existing guidance because we’re unaware of them, or because we do not believe they adequately align with important participant characteristics or not at the level needed in our field?

Armed with this (and much more from other sources) information, I am pleased that a number of RNN members were adequately interested in this topic to join me as co-Investigators or trainees on a proposal submitted to the CIHR Fall 2023 Project Grant round titled “Rigorous Partner-Informed Creation of a ‘Core Set’ of Social Variables for Musculoskeletal Health Research in Adults to Enable Data Linkage and Optimize Exploration of Social Determinants of Health”. Co-Investigators are J. MacDermid, A. Rushton, A. Zajacova, J-S. Roy, and trainees E. Ekediegwu, M. Farzad, and A. Lawan. This is a very different type of study than I have submitted previously so will be interesting to see how it is reviewed, but success in that competition or no I still believe this is a worthy project and will seek ways to move towards standardizing a core set of sociodemographic questions for MSK health research and invite all interested to join me. Watch for future updates.

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Announcements Newsletter Research

Western University Trainee Summer School

MSK Rehab Research Network – Trainee Summer School

July 31 – August 4 | Western University

The MSK Rehab Research Network is excited to host an interactive trainee summer school on outcome measurement and patient engagement.

Participants will gain hands-on experience at the state-of-the-art Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab (WOBL) and the Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC).

Speakers include: Dr. Trevor Birmingham, Dr. Pavlos Bobos, Dr. Lisa Carlesso, Dr. Joy MacDermid, Dr. Tara Packham, Dr. Tina Ziebart as well as patient partners.

Schedule (click below to download)

RehabNet Summer School Program Final

Key Concepts Covered:

  • Pain
  • Muscle Strength and Endurance
  • Joint Motion and Kinematics
  • Balance
  • Gait
  • Sensibility
  • Patient-reported Outcomes
  • Performance-based functional tests

Expected Trainee Outputs:

  • Develop an outcome measurement strategy for your own research program
  • A plan for partnering with patients/persons with lived experience in your research

Travel & Accommodations:

On-campus accommodations are available for non-Western students at Ontario Hall Residence. This residence is located directly across from Elborn College, where most sessions will be taking place. Accommodation costs will be covered and include hot breakfast. Daily lunches will be provided for all participants.

Details on bookings will be provided following your acceptance into the summer school.

Non-local participants will be required to arrange their own travel to London and local transport to/from Western University. Following the event, the Network will reimburse up to $500 in CIHR-eligible travel expenses per person.

Some walking or local transit may be required between classrooms and lab locations on and near campus. Please make note of any mobility challenges you may have so we can accommodate as best as possible.

Any questions can be directed to Ryan Power (rehabnet@uwo.ca)

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Research

McMaster Origin of Chronic Pain Study

Our partners at McMaster University are conducting a short, anonymous survey to better understand the origins of chronic pain. They are seeking participants 18 years or older, who are living with chronic pain in Canada.

See the poster below, or click the following link to access the survey: https://surveys.mcmaster.ca/limesurvey/index.php/219942?lang=en

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Research

Balancing clinician and patient priorities for total shoulder replacement preoperative education programs

Congratulations to Network trainee and her team, including several Network investigators, on their recent publication in Patient Education and Counseling. The article titled, “Balancing clinician and patient priorities for total shoulder replacement preoperative education programs” is available for free download at the link below:

https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1gw%7E72dv7nRT0s

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Announcements Research

INTER-REPAR Trainee Summer School

June 5-8, 2023 in Drummondville, Quebec

The MSK Rehab Research Network is thrilled to partner with REPAR (Quebec Rehab Research Network) as they host a Trainee Summer School focused on artificial intelligence use in rehabilitation research.

The Rehab Network has secured five spots in the summer school open to Network trainees and will be covering the registration and accommodation costs ($875) as well as up to $500 in travel expense reimbursements.

Please note that all instruction and presentations will be conducted in French. Therefore, any interested trainees must be able to fully understand spoken French. Full information is available here:

https://event.fourwaves.com/fr/b17654c1-b1d3-4488-aece-bf13c879cece/pages

Interested trainees can contact rehabnet@uwo.ca to express their interest and will be provided with more information.

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Newsletter Research

BJI Showcase February 24

The Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network was proud to co-host Western University’s BJI Showcase Series on February 24th.

The showcase included presentations from two Network trainees, Dr. Harvi Hart (Western) and Dr. Jesse Charlton (UBC). You can now view the full session available below.

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Announcements Grants Newsletter Opportunities Research

Funding Opportunity: 2023 Trainee Travel Awards

UPDATE MARCH 1O, 2023: due to the overwhelming response to this opportunity, application intake is currently closed as we assess available funds. Thank you for your interest in this competition!

We are pleased to announce the return of our annual Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network Trainee Travel Awards. 2023 will mark our fifth Trainee Awards competition and up to $20,000 in total funding is available to:

  • foster the development of future leaders in MSK health rehabilitation research;
  • enhance the number of trainees involved in transdisciplinary musculoskeletal health rehabilitation research;
  • support the career advancement of trainees; and
  • support each trainee financially

Call for Applications: February 15th, 2023

Funds Available

In 2023 the Network will be offering a total of up to $20,000 in three tiers of stipends based on travel distance:

Within Province or Virtual Presentation – up to $500 per award

Neighbouring Province (ex. Ontario to Quebec, Alberta to BC) – up to $1,500 per award

National or International Travel – up to $2,000 per award

These awards are intended to cover conference travel and registration expenses to attend a conference at which the trainee has been invited to present their research. Applicants will submit expenses or a proposed budget of CIHR-eligible costs and awarded funds will be given based on incurred expenses up to the maximum of each funding tier above. Applicants will be eligible for a maximum of one (1) award per calendar year.

Description

The purpose of the award is to assist with travel expenses for trainees to present their research at a conference related to MSK rehabilitation research (via poster, oral or other form of presentation). Note that funding will be subject to abstract submission and approval at the conference you plan to attend. Oral/podium presentation invitations may be given preference over poster presentations.

This form of awards allows the Network to fund a much larger number of trainees this year than traditional awards and provide additional professional development opportunities not covered by their current funding. Please note that additional funding and experiential opportunities will be launched by the MSK Rehab Research Network throughout 2023.

Deadline

Rolling applications through September 1st, 2023 or until a total of $20,000 has been awarded. First funding decisions will be made by March 15th, 2023 and subsequent decisions will be made within two weeks of receiving application. Please note that due to high demand in 2022, all available funds were awarded within two months of launching – be sure to apply early!

Eligibility Criteria

  • outstanding potential to contribute to MSK health rehabilitation research;
  • registered as a full-time graduate student, postdoctoral fellow or clinician scientist in training;
  • accepted to an accredited program;
  • supervised (mentored) by a current Network Member;
  • engaged in research that is clearly relevant to MSK health rehabilitation

Expectations

  • indicate which conference(s) at which you will be presenting, including travel distance. Please indicate whether you have been invited for a podium or poster presentation
  • include a proposed budget and justification of funds for travel to a national or international conference specific to MSK rehabilitation research
  • provide details on the research topic for the conference at which you will attend and present your project
  • submit reporting, as requested by network training and mentoring group

How to Apply

Applications currently closed

Trainee-Application-Form-2023Download

Any questions can be directed to Ryan Power (Network Coordinator) at rehabnet@uwo.ca

Categories
Announcements Research

Upcoming Webinar: BJI Showcase February 24

The Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network is excited to partner with Western’s Bone & Joint Institute for the upcoming BJI Showcase Series on February 24, 2023 at 2:00PM EST.

Join Rehab Network trainee members Dr. Harvi Hart (Western) and Dr. Jesse Charlton (UBC) for engaging presentations and discussion on wearable technologies and gait biomechanics research performed outside of the lab.

Please see the poster below for full details and Zoom log-in link. We hope to see many of our Rehab Network members online!

BJI-Showcase-Poster-Feb-24-SessionDownload
Categories
Announcements Grants Newsletter Research

2022 Collaborative Catalyst Grant Recipients

The Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network is committed to supporting high-impact, high-potential research and teams across Canada. Our annual Collaborative Catalyst grants are aimed to encourage new, externally funded, transdisciplinary research initiatives.

We were thrilled with the both the number and quality of submissions in response to this year’s call. The Rehab Network initially intended to fund up to six projects at up to $25,000 each – a total of $150,000. However our reviewers felt the quality of the submissions warranted funding additional applications. Therefore, we were happy to increase our budget for this call, funding a total of eight (8) applications at $25,000 each – a total investment of $200,000.

Below are the successful teams:

PI NameInstitutionProject TitleTeam
Cheryl KozeyDalhousieA pilot feasibility multicenter study to identify risk factors for rapid progression in those with early mild to moderate knee osteoarthritisJanie Wilson, Trevor Birmingham, Top Applteon, Sarah Manske, Steve Boyd, Olga Theou, Rebecca Moyer, Michael Dunbar, Joy MacDermid, Angelo Rudic (P), Bernadette McCann (T), Ann Smith Viera (P)
Kevin DeluzioQueensCharacterizing patient mobility and functional status while on waitlist for total knee replacement: A multi-center feasibility pilot studyJanie Astephen Wilson, Dylan Kobsar,, David Wilson, Elise Laende (T), Jereme Outerleys (T), Cheryl Kozey, Michael Dunbar, Glen Richardson, Ann Smith-Veiero (P), Gavin Wood, John Rudan, Mark Harrison, Aaron Campbell, Anthony Adili
Hugo Masse AlarieLavalSpine motor control and pain processing as predictive and explanatory factors of chronic low back painLuc Lacombe (P), Pierre Langevin, Guillaume Léonard, Clermont Dionne, Lisa Carlesso, Michel-Pierre Coll, Anaïs Lacasse, Jean-Sébastien Roy
JS RoyLavalDo psychosocial factors predict the persistence of shoulder pain?Simon Beaulieu-Bonneau, Dayana Patricia Rosa, (T), Hugo Masse-Alarie, Alex Scott, Frédérique Dupuis, Marc-Olivier Dubé, Gilles Drouin (P)
Lora GiangregorioWaterlooVirtual Intervention for Vertebral frACture (VIVA): Feasibility of implementation in a multicentre trialLarry Funnell, Sheila Brien (P), Cheryl Bulycz (P), Heather Keller, Alecandra Papaioannou, Lehana Thabane, Ravi Jain, Jenny Thain, Timothy Wideman, Suzanne Morin, Jenna Gibbs, Zach Weston, Catlin McArthur, Lauren Beaupre, Maureen Ashe, Allison Legg (T), David Emond (T), Matteo Ponzano (T), Nochilas Tibert (T), Judi Laprade
Luciana MacedoMcMasterFeasibility testing of a pre-surgical rehabilitation program for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a multi-center pilot randomized controlled trialNora Bakaa (T), Doug Gross, Lisa Carlesso, Joy MacDermid, Flo Slomp, Alison Rushton, Laura Katz, Maxi Miciak, Tara Packham, Kenneth Thomas, Andrew Nataraj, Raja Rampersuad, Brian Drew, Pahuta Markian, Aleks Cenic, Sandra Dorley (P), Joanna Thorne (P)
Michael HuntUBCA multi-centre feasibility study assessing shoe-worn insoles to improve clinical and biomechanical features of knee osteoarthritisTrevor Birmingham, Rebecca Moyer, Dylan Kobsar, Jesse Charlton
Kamair GhoseiriSaskatchewanThe effects of a novel phantom exercise execution program on phantom limb pain and mobility in people with unilateral transtibial amputation: a feasibility pilot study.Audrey Zucker Levin, Julia Totosy de Zepetnek, David Kingston, Susan Hunter