Hernish Acharya
Does pain reduction at specific time points after medial branch block predict efficacy of subsequent radiofrequency ablation?
We performed a retrospective chart review of an outpatient interventional physiatry clinic in Edmonton, Alberta to determine if there was any correlation between pain reduction at 20 minutes or 1 hour post medial branch block and subsequent efficacy of radiofrequency ablation.
Angela Currie
Physical activity levels in people with multiple sclerosis in Saskatchewan
A physical activity survey of patients attending MS Clinic in Saskatoon in 2006 was completed. When considering all types of physical activity, over 90% of patients were doing at least the recommended amount of physical activity and many felt that their ADLs required at least moderate physical exertion.
Melissa Bossé
Does augmentative and alternative communication devices improve the quality of life in ALS patients?
This study will look at the impact of providing an augmentative and alternative communication device to patients with ALS on their quality of life by using a quality of communication life scale. This project is in partnership with the I Can Centre at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
Elizabeth G. Condliffe
Mechanisms of spasticity in cerebral palsy
We are using motor unit responses to cutaneous stimulation and paired motor unit analysis techniques to probe the role of aberrant afferent input and persitent inward currents in spasticity that results from injury during the plasticity-rich developmental period.
Curtis Hlushak
The relationship between cardiovascular fitness and return to work in injured workers with upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders
The purpose of this study was to examine the value of cardiovascular fitness testing in predicting return to work in injured workers with upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected workers' compensation database on injured workers undergoing an occupational interdisciplinary rehabilitation program for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. Our findings indicate that cardiovascular fitness measured at the time of admission to an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program is not a predictor of return to work at the time of discharge in workers' compensation claimants with these disorders (OR=1.03; 95% CI=0.99-1.08). We conclude that a cardiovascular fitness assessment may not be useful in return to work planning and therefore, an assessment may
not be required for every injured worker with an upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder. Further research is necessary to clarify the role of cardiovascular fitness assessment in injured workers undergoing rehabilitation for these disorders.
Michael Pappachan
The use of sniff nasal pressure as a measure of pulmonary function
Assessing whether sniff nasal pressure can be used as a replacement or adjunctive measure in measuring pulmonary function when evaluating individuals with ALS.
Taunya St. Pierre
Validity of the ABIS and changes in ABIS scores over the first year post lower extremity amputation
The goal of this study is to determine if the ABIS is useful in measuring both the degree of body image dysfunction in lower extremity amputees and how the ABIS score changes over time without intervention specifically aimed at improving body image. In an effort to meet these goals this study will: 1) determine the construct validity of the ABIS in comparison to the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scale, and 2) determine the change in the ABIS score over time. It is hypothesized a patient's ABIS and the BDI-II scores should be correlated, since body image and depression are correlated (Breakey, 1997). As well, over time both the BDI-II and ABIS scores should improve, since depression has been documented to decrease as time since amputation increases (Nicholas et al 1993).
Tien Yen
Who improves most from rehab?
Looking at FIM outcomes for primarily non-traumatic brain injuries for all-comers to the Halvar Johnson Centre (long term neurorehabilitation) between 1997-2007. Do patients admitted
with ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes do better? Does the side affected, left or right, affect outcomes? Secondarily, will premorbid health problems, including diabetes, HTN, CAD, and depression, affect the efficiency of rehab?
Sean Gonzales
Fluoroscopic Predictors of Outcome in RF Lumbar Facet Denervation
Study looking for a relationship between fluoroscopic features and radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation outcomes. If such a relationship exists, can such features be used to predict the outcomes.