Assessing Body Structure and Function
The aim of research in this platform is to determine the pathophysiological and biomechanical impairments that limit daily activities associated with acute and chronic health conditions affecting children and adults. This aim is addressed by:
- Developing innovative technology-assisted approaches for assessing structures and functions of the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and cardiorespiratory systems and interactions with the environment;
- Determining physiological and biomechanical function of healthy individuals; and
- Determining pathophysiological and biomechanical impairment and compensatory changes in people with acute and chronic health conditions.
Research in this platform incorporates laboratory-based testing, clinical research, and evaluation of real-time person-environment interactions. Findings inform assessment and treatment approaches for physical therapy and rehabilitation with children, youth, and adults with a range of acute and chronic health conditions including idiopathic scoliosis, cerebral palsy, brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, chronic lung disease, and critical illness. Faculty expertise includes implementation science such that research findings inform clinical practice, community programs, and health policy.
Programs of Research and Faculty
- Pressure Injury Prevention and Management - Sharon Gabison
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Mobility Lab - Kristen Musselman
- Rehabilitation of the Lower Extremities After Neurological Injury (RELEARN) Lab - Kara Patterson
- Rehabilitation Aimed at Muscle Performance (RAMP) Lab - Darlene Reid
- Cardiopulmonary Tele-Rehabilitation & Remote Monitoring Lab - Lisa Wickerson
- Biomedical Informatics, Analytics, and Technology Lab - Karl Zabjek
- Education Scholarship - Melanie McKinnon
Peer-Reviewed Publications: Assessing Body Structure & Function
- Cognitive interference of respiratory versus limb muscle dual tasking in healthy adults. (Darlene Reid)
- Continuous measurements of respiratory muscle blood flow & oxygen consumption using non-invasive FD-NIRS & DCS (Darlene Reid)
- Lower limb muscle activity underlying temporal gait asymmetry post-stroke (Kara Patterson)
- An Initial Investigation of the Responsiveness of Temporal Gait Asymmetry to Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation and the Relationship to Rhythm Ability Following Stroke (Kara Patterson)
- Validating accelerometry as a measure of arm movement for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (Kristin Musselman)
- Spatial characteristics of reactive stepping among people living with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (Kristin Musselman)
- Applying the ICF model in adult spinal deformity: disability in terms of participation should be incorporated in the care pathway (Karl Zabjek)
- The three-dimensional shoulder pain alignment (3D-SPA) mobilization improves pain-free shoulder range, functional reach and sleep following stroke: a pilot randomized control trial (Karl Zabjek)
- Quantitative ultrasound imaging over the ischial tuberosity: An exploratory study to inform tissue health (Sharon Gabison)
- Validation of stroke-specific protocols for the 10-meter walk test and 6-minute walk test conducted using 15-meter and 30-meter walkways (Nancy Salbach)
- Standardized measurement of balance and mobility post-stroke: Consensus-based core recommendations from the third Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable (Nancy Salbach)
- Are tai chi and qigong safe and effective in the treatment of TBI? A systematic review (Charlotte Anderson)
- A narrative review on cervical interventions in adults with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (Charlotte Anderson)
- Exploring risk factors of musculoskeletal injury in Canadian Armed Forces basic infantry candidates (Eric Robitaille)
- Normative values for isometric quadriceps peak torque using fixed dynamometry in healthy young adults (Lisa Wickerson)