Department of Physical Therapy researchers receive more than $2 million in CIHR grants

Three of our Department of Physical Therapy faculty members have recently been awarded grants from The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) totalling more than $2 million. Their research will explore different areas of physical therapy and could lead to improved health outcomes for their respective patients. 

Kara Patterson, BScPT, MSc, PhD, has been awarded $1,591,198 for “It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it": A longitudinal study of knee osteoarthritis in people with stroke, a six-year project following people who have experienced a stroke to determine if they are more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis or experience worsening knee osteoarthritis symptoms compared to a group of older adults who have not had a stroke. Changes to the walking pattern after stroke can increase loading at the knee joint, which could lead to osteoarthritis. This first longitudinal study of knee osteoarthritis in people with stroke could improve rehabilitation by highlighting the importance of improving the walking pattern to prevent osteoarthritis and improve the quality of life for Canadians who have experienced a stroke. 

Crystal Mackay, BScPT, MHSc, PhD, has been awarded $336,600 for A Behaviour Change Intervention Promoting Physical Activity Following Dysvascular Amputation: A Pilot Study. Her research will look at the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine the effectiveness of a virtual peer-led intervention to promote physical activity in people with lower limb amputations (LLA) due to diabetes or other vascular disease (dysvascular LLA). People with dysvascular LLA often have comorbidities, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease, than the general population. This makes it even more important for them to be physically active, however, they face unique challenges and barriers to physical activity. To address their needs, Crystal and her team created a physical activity intervention, IMproving Physical Activity through Coaching and Technology following Lower Limb Loss (IMPACT-L3), to support physical activity behaviour change in people with dysvascular LLA. To date, no studies have assessed a peer-led physical activity behaviour change intervention for people with LLA. 

Sharon Gabison, BSc, BScPT, MSc, PhD, has been awarded $195,075 through for her research titled  Pressure Injury Management and Education (PrIME): The Development and Evaluation of a Knowledge Translation Tool for Pressure Injury Prevention and Management. The grant will fund a three-year study through The KITE Research Institute to better understand what patients and caregivers know about pressure injuries (PI), commonly known as bed sores, and how researchers can better educate patients and caregivers on how to prevent and care for PIs. PIs are common – they affect about 15% of individuals receiving home health care and the yearly cost of managing a PI in the community is $56,940 CAD. Sharon’s research will help us understand what patients and caregivers know and believe about pressure injuries, and how an education tool can help support individuals living with or at risk of developing PIs.