New study focusing on traumatic brain injury requires participants 

Bruyère Research Institute and the University of Ottawa are looking for participants for a new type of study.

 Instead of conducting the study at a research facility, researchers will be investigating the use of a remote exercise program to provide home-based exercised tailored for individuals who have suffered a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the past. 

 “As a physiotherapist providing rehabilitation services for individuals who suffered complex neurological trauma, I often spend more time driving than actually treating,” says Jennifer O’Neil, clinical instructor at the University of Ottawa and physiotherapist, Action Potential Rehabilitation. “Seeing first-hand the lack of accessible rehabilitation services in remote and rural area is what sparked the idea for this research project.”

 O’Neil says that the lack of specialized physical rehabilitation services for people who have suffered head injuries in remote or rural areas often means clients or patients must spend their rehabilitation money on accessible transportation to urban centres or on the therapist’s travel time.

 “This remotely supervised program could help improve access of physical rehabilitation services for veterans who have suffered a TBI while reducing the financial and travel burdens often placed on the entire family,” says O’Neil.

 The study is currently looking for Veterans or active CAF members who have survived a moderate or severe TBI (traumatic brain injury) in their lifetime, who are able to stand for a minimum of two minutes, and are willing to trial exercise remotely, and have access to wifi.

 Over a period of four months, the research group will ask participants to complete a series of balance tests, questionnaires and brief interviews, conducted over in-person visits at the Bruyère Research Institute in Ottawa.

 All exercises will be completed daily in the comfort of their own home for two months while having a physiotherapist following via videoconference.

 “The overall goal of this research project is to explore the use of remote supervision as a mode of delivery to improve the accessibility of physical rehabilitation services for survivors of moderate or severe TBI,” says O’Neil. “Our research is supported by an amazing interprofessional research team composed of physiotherapists, a physiatrist, an occupational therapist, a psychologist, and a neuroscientist which will support various aspects of wellbeing.”

 This research is funded by the Canadian Institute for Military, Veteran Health Research and True Patriot Love.

 If you want to be a part of this exciting project, please contact us by calling 613-562-6262 ext. 1572 or by e-mail at O’[email protected] .