Ongoing Studies
Internet delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for caregivers of persons with Spinal Cord Injury
Coming Soon...
Internet delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for persons with mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Pilot
Aim: Canadians living with brain injury face many long-term challenges with reduced functioning and activity limitations. In addition, it has been found that physical and mental conditions are more common and result in negative effects on the rate of recovery. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been shown in several studies to improve an individual’s psychological health by modifying emotional, behavioural, and cognitive responses that would otherwise not adjust well to certain environments or situations.
Who's eligible? Those with mild to moderate brain injury living in the community
PI: Swati Mehta, PhD, Eldon Loh, MD
How to participate: participate from here!
Internet delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for persons with Spinal Cord Injury: A randomized controlled trial
Aim: We are currently examining the effectiveness of an 8 week tailored internet delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) program for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) compared to information only control group. Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) can experience high levels of emotional distress, pain, and dependency, leading to decreased activity engagement, quality of life, and increased health care costs. Due to the high rates of psychological distress and pain, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) recommend the adjunct use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for the long term management of individuals with SCI. CBT aims to teach specific coping strategies to manage stressors and improve activity engagement. Thus, CBT promotes adjustment and has been found effective in improving the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain while promoting activity engagement and self-management over the long term.
Who's eligible? Adults diagnosed with an SCI living in the community
PI: Swati Mehta, PhD, Heather Hadjistavropoulos, PhD, Eldon Loh, MD
How to participate: participate from here!
Perceptions of Internet delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy among Rehabilitation Professionals
Aim: Our goal is to evaluate the perceptions of clinicians, researchers, administrators, and funders to identify barriers and facilitators that influence the implementation of internet delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) in an SCI rehabilitation unit. We will be recruiting participants over the next few months across Canada through SCI rehabilitation facilities and community groups, along with recommendations from already recruited members.
The study will involve the completion of an online survey which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Once you've completed the survey, you will be given the option to participate in a brief structured interview to provide more detailed feedback on your experience
Who's eligible? Clinicians, administrators, and researchers working with persons with physical disability undergoing physical rehabilitation.
PI: Swati Mehta, PhD, Heather Hadjistavropoulos, PhD, Eldon Loh, MD
How to participate: participate from here!
Improving Activity Engagement among persons with Spinal Cord Injury during COVID-19
Aim: The goal of the current study is to improve overall wellbeing and activity engagement among persons with SCI. During the current COVID-19 pandemic many spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation services are limited to emergency management, leaving those living in the community without access to services. Unfortunately, this can lead to negative effects including an increase in emotional distress, feelings of isolation, and decreased activity engagement. The current study provides an online group physical activity program through web-based videoconferencing to people with SCI to improve overall wellbeing and activity engagement. The program will consist of six weeks of twice-weekly, 45-minute sessions in which an experienced fitness instructor (i.e., wheelchair aerobics) with lived experience and a Kinesiology graduate student will lead online sessions. The sessions will be comprised of a 10-minute warm-up phase, a 25-minute aerobic phase, and a 10-minute cool-down phase that will incorporate upper-extremity flexibility exercises and guided meditation. In all cases, remote (i.e., in-home) participant monitoring of physiological signals will be conducted by the instructor to ensure the safety of participants. Ultimately, the proposed project aims to improve overall wellbeing and activity engagement for those with SCI during the COVID-19 quarantine.
Who's eligible? Anyone adult living in the community with an SCI across Canada. Participants must be able to lift at least one arm against gravity.
PI: Swati Mehta, PhD, Eldon Loh, MD, Dalton Wolfe, PhD
How to participate: participate from here!
COVID-19 and Disability: The Impact of a Societal Lockdown on Those With Spinal Cord, Brain Injuries, and Stroke
Aim: The aim of this longitudinal study is to examine the impact of societal restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic on those with neurological conditions including spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke ability. Individual's ability to access health care services and individual health care cost burden will be evaluated. Related disability and functional impairments, and the resultant effects on psychological wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and quality of life will also be assessed.
Who's eligible? Any Canadian adult diagnosed with a neurological condition including brain injury, spinal cord injury, or stroke living in the community.
PI: Eldon Loh, MD, Swati Mehta, PhD, Robert Teasell, MD
How to participate: participate from here!
