Canadian MSK Rehab Research NetworkWe are pleased to share our latest MSK Rehab Research Network Newsletter.
It has been a busy spring and summer with plenty of recent highlights and upcoming opportunities to share.
Included in this newsletter:
In recent decades, several techniques have been developed to stimulate the central nervous system. Today, researchers and clinicians use neurostimulation to study and better understand how the brain works, but also to treat various pathologies affecting the central nervous system.
In the light of the success and positive feedback following the first edition, the “Groupe de Recherche sur les Aînés, la Neurostimulation et la Douleur” are proud to announce the Second Edition of the Quebec Symposium on Neurostimulation (SQN), held virtually on October 28-29, 2021.
For more information and registration please visit https://neurostimulation.ca/en/symposium-2/
Congratulations to Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network Co-PI Dr. Jean-Sébastien Roy (Université Laval) and his team for recently being awarded a CIHR Operating Grant for their project, ” Better understanding physical and cognitive impairments and functional limitations in people suffering from long COVID to support the development of adapted interventions”
Team: Dr. Jean-Sébastien Roy, Dr. Jean-Sébastien Paquette, Dr. Kadija Perreault
With: Dr. S. Beaulieu-Bonneau. Dr. K. Best, A. Campeau-Lecours, S. Deslauriers, Dr. F. Desmeules
Amount: $293,100
The project’s objective of documenting persistent physical symptoms of COVID-19 in order to define the medical and rehabilitation interventions needed for this population are strongly linked to the Network priorities. We look forward to supporting this project by sharing its results to our membership and through our knowledge translation channels.
Both Dr. Roy and Dr. Perrault have been past recipients of the MSK Rehab Research Network Pilot Grant program. We look forward to supporting this and their other strong research projects in the future.
The Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network is a CIHR-IMHA funded network of researchers, trainees and collaborators. We aim to create innovative funding mechanisms for researchers and learning opportunities for trainees. The Network provides seed funding for project and/or team development each year with a focus on maximizing impact and attracting future external funds. Similarly, we strive to create innovative and collaborative training opportunities to foster the development of trainees in MSK research.
All of our funding opportunities are required to not only meet CIHR funding standards, but must also meet our mandate of facilitating excellence in MSK research through collaboration and innovative teams/projects. We ensure that all funding applications are reviewed by a panel that includes researchers of all career stages, trainees, as well as patient representatives.
To ensure our funds are allocated equitably across research areas and geography, and are reviewed by our panel of researchers and patients to assess potential impact, all Network funds are awarded through our funding competition processes. We do not accept research funding requests outside of our standard funding mechanisms. Limited support may be available for sponsorship of collaborative meetings and training initiatives that meet the Network’s objectives, and will reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Further questions can be sent to our Network Coordinator through the form below:
The inaugural Biomechanics and Osteoarthritis Symposium was held on May 28th in conjunction with the Canadian Society for Biomechanics and the Canadian MSK Rehabilitation Research Network. Hosted by Dr. Michael Hunt (UBC), Dr. Cheryl Kozey (Dalhousie) and Dr. Janie Wilson (McMaster), over 100 registrants from Canada, the United States and Europe enjoyed an engaging morning of presentations, discussion and collaboration.
The virtual symposium began with a debate between Dr. Hunt and Dr. Wilson on the relative importance of the external knee adduction moment in osteoarthritis biomechanics research. This was followed by five trainee presentations on a wide range of topics in biomechanics and osteoarthritis research. The morning was concluded by a presentation from Dr. Kozey on the future of the GaitNET initiative which is supported by the Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network.
The event was highly successful in its goal of bringing together researchers from across Canada and abroad, to discuss priorities in biomechanics research and investigate how collaboration can move the field forward through building consensus, increasing sample sizes and improving future funding success.
Thank you to the organizers for creating a unique and engaging event on short notice, and to all of the presenters for sharing their exciting work. We look forward to hosting these events on a regular basis to increase collaborations, scale-up research and ultimately improve MSK health outcomes for those living with pain and limited mobility.
The recorded sessions are now available to view here:
DEADLINE EXTENSION: OCTOBER 1, 2021
On behalf of the Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network’s Executive Committee, we are pleased to launch two new funding opportunities.
Over our first four years of operations the MSK Rehab Research Network supported a total of 23 projects; an investment of over $200,000 in high impact pilot projects.
These new opportunities mark the first round of competitions in our new CIHR funding structure and are therefore being offered as Team Development and Emerging Team Grants with substantially higher funding available.
Please see application forms below for full details and application instructions. Any questions can be directed to rehabnet@uwo.ca
Team Development Grant:
This round of awards is intended to establish a new research team that brings together researchers or a new national collaboration between existing teams from across Canada focused on remote/online delivery of rehabilitation projects relevant to one of two key Network priorities: osteoarthritis, or non-specific chronic MSK pain
$150,000 total available funds for up to two (2) grants of up to $75,000 each
Emerging Team Grant:
This grant is intended to address the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for future rehabilitation needs. Objectives include establishing a new research team that brings together researchers from across the country focused on rehabilitation of post-COVID-19 long-term effects, and developing a research plan that addresses a multi-faceted rehabilitation approach to long-term COVID-19 symptoms, with a focus on, but not limited to the MSK system, by addressing pain and mobility challenges
$30,000 total available funds for one (1) grant of up to $30,000
Western University in London, Ontario, Canada seeks applicants for a Director of the Bone and Joint Institute (BJI) (https://boneandjoint.uwo.ca/). Applicants who can demonstrate outstanding leadership in research, training and outreach in the field of musculoskeletal health are encouraged to apply.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on May 1, 2021. Please see the full details and application instructions below:
Congratulations to Network researcher Dr. Shawn Robbins from McGill University for receiving a Strategic Operating Grant from the Arthritis Society for his project: The effectiveness of medial pivot knee arthroplasty implants at improving gait and clinical outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.
“Over 67,000 knee replacements are performed annually in Canada for knee arthritis and 20% of patients remain unsatisfied after surgery. New implants have been designed, called medial pivot implants, which claim to more closely mimic normal knee movements. There has been limited testing of these implants, so their effectiveness and safety are not clear. Dr. Shawn Robbins will compare knee movement before and after surgery for walking and stair climbing, pain, and physical function between patients who had medial pivot or traditional knee replacement implants. A better understanding of the most effective knee implants will help to maximize patient outcomes, minimize negative side effects, and decrease demands on the healthcare system.”
You can view all results from The Arthritis Society’s recent grant competition here: https://arthritis.ca/researchers/competition-results
Congratulations to Network Researcher Dr. Lisa Carlesso who received the Arthritis Society’s Stars Career Development award for her project entitled ‘Improving our Understanding of Pain Mechanisms in People with Knee OA’. Learn more about Dr. Carlesso and her research on her faculty webpage: