February 2014 Research Update

By: Derek Rutherford, PT
BScKin, BScPT, MSc, PhD

Research in the School of Physiotherapy has been expanding, becoming more vibrant and focused on increasing capacity to provide evidence to support all levels of physiotherapy practice. As a faculty, we are excited for these progressions as it allows your school to advocate for change, advance knowledge and contribute to the development of physiotherapy academics in the Maritime region.  The newest change to this program was the abolishment of the required physiotherapy degree or equivalent. While physiotherapy provides a certain skill set and knowledge base, this change has increased our capacity for cross-fertilization of skill, knowledge and experience within our rehabilitation research (MScRR) program. We currently have 12 students enrolled from a variety of backgrounds including computer science, kinesiology, neuropsychology, chiropractic and physiotherapy. Faculty members are cross appointed to various schools at Dalhousie University including Medicine, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering and Kinesiology and hold affiliated scientist positions at Capital District Health Authority, increasing the potential for a comprehensive research experience.

The School of Physiotherapy provides opportunities for world-class mixed methods research that aims to provide solutions to reduce the high prevalence, associated costs and physical burden of neurologic, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary injuries and disease. Our graduate students are very engaged in this research program. Here is a list of our current graduate students and their research:

Ross Story

• BSc. Honours Computer Science and Neuroscience
• Supervisor: Dr. Shaun Boe

Ross is applying machine learning (i.e. support vector machines, neural networks and hierarchical temporal models to classify brain state and extracting features from motor imagery data gathered with Magnetoencephalography. The goal is to improve motor imagery neurofeedback for stroke rehabilitation.

Saleh Aloraini

• BSc. Physiotherapy
• Supervisor: Dr. Marilyn MacKay-Lyons

Saleh’s research focuses on stroke rehabilitation therapeutics and assistive technologies that aide the assessment of patients post-stroke. He is currently researching the validity and reliability of a new device called the “BioTone system” that can be used to measure spasticity following stroke.

Dan Trudel PT

• BSc. Kinesiology MSc Physiotherapy
• Supervisor: Dr. Cheryl Hubley-Kozey

The goal of Dan’s research is to better understand the relationship between objective physiologically based measures of muscle activation (electromyography) and clinical tests of passive instability in those recovered from a low back injury.  Dan has recently presented some of his work at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research conference in Edmonton, Alberta, with co-authors Dr. Hubley-Kozey, Dr. Janice Moreside and PhD student Adam Quirk entitled, “The relationship between a clinical test battery and comprehensive trunk muscle activation patterns to predict recurrence of low back pain.”

Peter Stilwell

• BKin, Doctor of Chiropractic
• Supervisor: Dr. Katherine Harman

Dr. Peter Stilwell is exploring issues surrounding exercise prescription from healthcare providers to treat chronic mechanical low back pain. His thesis research aims to help promote patient adherence to prescribed, independently performed exercise that can reduce back pain and associated disability.

Kimbly MacFadyen PT

• BSc. Physiotherapy
• Supervisor: Dr. Gail Dechman

Kimbly's thesis research is focusing on the evaluation of autogenic drainage in adolescents with cystic fibrosis. The purpose is to develop an objective method for assessing autogenic drainage technique that includes qualitative and quantitative components applicable to clinical practice as well as research. 

Alicia Gionfriddo

• BA Honours Kinesiology
• Supervisor: Dr. Shaun Boe

Alicia’s thesis research is employing a graph theoretical analysis to quantify functional connectivity within the brain (via electroencephalography) during imagined movement in both non-disabled individuals and patients who have experienced a stroke. These findings will provide insight into the manner in which the brain compensates for injury by characterizing, in a quantifiable manner, the spatial and temporal aspects of network activation underlying movement.

Ishika Sharma

• B Physiotherapy
• Supervisor: Dr. Shaun Boe and Dr. Marilyn MacKay-Lyons

Ishika is focusing her thesis research on designing a novel paradigm to test both behavioural and electrophysiological aspects of attention. There is a shortage of paradigms available that track brain activity to assess attention in a clinical population. Her thesis is entitled, “Devising a Modified Flanker Task to obtain Event Related Brain Potentials, P3a and P3b, for Assessment of Attention.”

Ron Bishop

• BSc. Honours Behavioural Neuroscience
• Supervisor: Dr. Shaun Boe.

Performing a motor task results in multiregional brain activation. Ron’s research will determine and quantify the activation that occurs when non-disabled controls perform a simple motor task. These results can later be compared to patients post-stroke, to highlight differences in neural activation patterns.

Aishwarya Kamat

• B. Physiotherapy
• Supervisor: Dr. Cheryl Hubley-Kozey

A focus in knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation has been on quadriceps strengthening. Aishwarya’s thesis research is going to examine the relations between the strength of all the muscle groups around the knee and mobility function in those with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. The hope is to contribute to the evidence to improve management techniques that aim to slow down the disease process.

Kristin Osterling

• BSc. Human Kinetics
• Supervisor: Dr. Gail Dechman

Kristin’s project is focusing on the assessment of accessory respiratory muscle activation using electromyography in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pre- and post- a pulmonary rehabilitation program.   

Andrea Murphy, PT

• BSc. Physiotherapy
• Supervisor: Dr. Marie Earl

The Timed up and Go Test is recommended to assess balance and mobility as part of the assessment of falls risk yet two common testing protocols have emerged: one for mobility and one for falls risk.  The focus of Andrea’s research is to explore the degree of agreement between two common protocols of the Timed Up and Go in a seniors home care population.

Hawasin, Khan

• BSc. Physiotherapy
• Supervisor: Dr. Shaun Boe

Hawasin’s research examines the effect of exercise intensity on motor cortical excitability. Her aim is to identify an exercise intensity that is feasible to utilize clinically while still increasing excitability of the brain. This work will facilitate the use of exercise as a modality to prime the brain prior to neurorehabilitation.