Each May, National Physical Therapy Month celebrates the contributions of physical therapists across the country to practice and research. Physiotherapy research is a fundamental component of the Queen's School of Rehabilitation Therapy, which includes research groups focused on exercise, mobility, physical activity, primary care and community rehabilitation.
In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, we present some highlights of recent research by faculty within our physical therapy program.
Dr. Sunita Mathur (Associate Director, Physical Therapy Program): Using smart garments to prevent muscle atrophy in critically ill patients.
The loss of muscle mass and strength during severe illness and hospitalization in the intensive care unit is severe and lasts for a long time. In this study, a multidisciplinary research team from Queen's University, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Toronto, and Unity Health Toronto collaborated to develop smart garments that provide and monitor low-level breathing (arms and arms that can be easily attached to the limbs). Leg sleeves) are designed. By stimulating muscles throughout the day, even unconscious patients can contract their muscles and prevent muscle function from deteriorating. The research is currently in the pilot testing stage and the garment is in development.
Dr. Kathleen Norman (Associate Director of Research and Post-Professional Programs): Management of Acute Low Back Pain Patients by Primary Care Clinicians in Ontario – Back ON Study.
Low back pain is a common problem in primary care, and patients may seek care from any of several health care professionals. Our multidisciplinary research team led data collection from a sample of family physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists across Ontario. Clinicians and the low back pain patients they recruited documented details and opinions of patient care, and some completed in-depth interviews. The study has completed data collection and is currently analyzing quantitative details in conjunction with Ontario health care utilization data, and is completing a parallel qualitative analysis of interviews.
Dr. Mohammad Awes
Dr. Mohammad Awes (Associate Professor): Walk with confidence: determining the impact of Nordic walking on falls in older adults – a randomized feasibility trial.
One of Dr. Aue's research areas is fall and disability prevention in older adults and how fear of falling can exacerbate the problem. His Nordic walking research used a randomized controlled trial trial to test the feasibility and safety of Nordic walking in older adults at risk of falling or at risk of falling. This randomized feasibility controlled trial, involving 37 participants, evaluated the new His 10 Week Nordic His Walking program for older adults at risk of falls. Of the intervention group, 86% completed the program. The follow-up completion rate was 83.8% and no adverse events were reported. Nordic walking was found to be feasible and safe, with high participant satisfaction, suggesting its potential as a fall prevention program.
