Prevalence Of Sensory Impairments In Home Care And Long-Term Care Using Interrai Data From Across Canada, Dawn M. Guthrie, Nicole Williams, Atul Jaiswal, Paul Mick, Hannah M. O'Rourke, M. Kathleen Pichora-Fuller, Walter Wittich, Rinku Sutradhar

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

In the general population, sensory impairments increase markedly with age in adults over 60 years of age. We estimated the prevalence of hearing loss only (HL), vision loss only (VL), and a combined impairment (i.e., dual sensory loss or DSL) in Canadians receiving home care (HC) or long-term care (LTC).

Methods

Annual cross-sectional analyses were conducted using data collected with one of two interRAI assessments, one used for the HC setting (n = 2,667,199), and one for LTC (n = 1,538,691). Items in the assessments were used to measure three mutually exclusive outcomes: prevalence of VL only, …

Cross-Sectional Nutrition Profile Of Palliative Home Care Clients In Ontario And Performance Of The Interrai Palliative Care Nutrition Clinical Assessment Protocol, Tara Stevens, Heather Keller, Nicole Williams, James Downar, Dawn M. Guthrie

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: The nutrition profile of palliative home care clients is unknown. This study describes this group and their nutrition issues and evaluates the performance of the interRAI nutrition Clinical Assessment Protocol (CAP).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional secondary analysis using Ontario interRAI Palliative Care (interRAI PC) Assessment data. The sample represents 74,963 unique Ontario home care clients assessed between 2011 and 2018. Frequencies and standardized differences (stdiffs) of nutrition characteristics were presented for cancer (n = 62,394) and noncancer (n = 12,569) diagnostic subgroups. Rates of triggering the nutrition CAP were presented by nutrition issue to evaluate its performance.

Results: …

The Impact Of Combined Flexion And Compression On The Mechanical Integrity Of The Annulus Fibrosus, Keaton Briar

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Introduction: Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation is characterized by an expulsion of nucleus pulposus (NP) material through the annulus fibrosus (AF). The AF contains two major adhesive structures, the intralamellar matrix and the interlamellar matrix, which act to maintain the strength of the AF and prevent NP material migration. As a herniation occurs, clefts form within the intralamellar matrix, pushing the NP between adjacent collagen fibres; meanwhile, delamination of the interlamellar matrix causes the NP to pool between layers of the AF. Further, herniation more readily occurs in a combined loading scenario of both compression and flexion. Flexion, and in particular …

Fall Reading Week: Exploring The Effects On Student Well-Being, Roobina Medhizadah

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Mental health is a concerning issue in post-secondary institutions across Ontario. Post-secondary students are challenged with many stressors such as time management and living independently for the first time (Wagner & Rhee, 2013). In an attempt to help students, maintain or improve their mental health, universities across Ontario have implemented fall reading week, a mid-semester break (Poole et al., 2017). Previous studies (Cramer & Pschibul, 2017; Poole et al., 2017) provided mixed results in whether fall reading week positively influences student mental health and well-being. To date, few studies have explored the influence of fall reading week on student health …

Spinal Motor Neuron Excitability And Balance Control Changes Following Downslope Walking, Nikki Aitcheson-Huehn

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Downslope walking (DSW) has been proposed as a rehabilitation tool for people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) although there are mixed findings in young adults (YA) regarding the balance control changes, despite both populations experiencing depressed spinal motor neuron (MN) pool excitability. Our aim was to determine whether YAs could demonstrate improved balance control in conjunction with SOL H reflex depression (estimate of spinal MN excitability) following DSW. We also aimed to determine whether reciprocal inhibition was a potential mechanism for H reflex depression via conditioned SOL H reflexes. Thirty young adults (23±1.4y, 6 males) were assigned to 30-minutes of DSW …

A Qualitative Investigation Into The Influence Of A Mental Health Physical Activity Intervention On University Students, Heather M. Tunks

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Objective

Among the university student population, mental illnesses are highly prevalent. Adults aged 20-30 years have the highest rates of mood and anxiety disorders than any other age group, with approximately 12.0% diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and 7.0 to 9.0% experiencing clinical depression (Nunes et al., 2014; Pedrelli, Nyer, Yeung, Zulauf, & Wilens, 2015). Reducing or preventing the effects of mental illness among this population may have lifelong implications including improvements in coping and management of mental illness throughout the lifespan(Jaworska, DeSomma, Fonseka, Heck, & MacQueen, 2016). This research examines the lived experiences of volunteers and participants in a …

“This Is My Little World…”: Navigating The Group Exercise Experience Of Stay-Fit Members, Olivia Jones

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Objective

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, with one in two Canadians expected to develop cancer over their lifetime (Canadian Cancer Society, 2019). Exercise is reportedly a safe therapy to help ease the common side effects of cancer and its treatments (Schmitz et al., 2010). Past research has shown the benefits of group exercise while in treatment for cancer, but there is a dearth of research regarding the impact of long-term group exercise programming for cancer survivors. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of group exercise participation for individuals who previously had cancer and were enrolled …

Potential Quality Indicators For Seriously Ill Home Care Clients: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Resident Assessment Instrument For Home Care (Rai-Hc) Data For Ontario, Lisa E. Harman, Dawn M. Guthrie, Joachim Cohen, Anja Declercq, Kathryn Fisher, Donna Goodridge, John P. Hirdes, Hsien Seow

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Currently, there are no formalized measures for the quality of home based palliative care in Ontario. This study developed a set of potential quality indicators for seriously ill home care clients using a standardized assessment.

Methods

Secondary analysis of Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care data for Ontario completed between 2006 and 2013 was used to develop quality indicators (QIs) thought to be relevant to the needs of older (65+) seriously ill clients. QIs were developed through a review of the literature and consultation with subject matter experts in palliative care. Serious illness was defined as a prognosis of …

The Relationship Between Caregiver Burden And Depressive Symptoms In Ontario Home Care Clients, Nicole Williams, Samantha Jamal, Dawn M. Guthrie

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

The onset of depressive symptoms is common in home care clients and their caregivers. Understanding the experience of the informal caregiver can assist clinicians in providing services to maximize the well-being of both the client and their caregivers. The objectives of this article are to examine risk factors for the development of depressive symptoms. A longitudinal analysis design was completed for clients with 2+ assessments. The development of depressive symptoms was defined as a Depression Rating Scale score of 3+ on re-assessment. The results-overall, 10.7% of clients experienced new depressive symptoms and clients with a caregiver who was feeling distressed, …

A Deterioration In Hearing Is Associated With Functional And Cognitive Impairments, Difficulty With Communication And Greater Health Instability, Nicole Williams, Dawn M. Guthrie, Jacob G.S. Davidson, Kathryn Fisher, Lauren E. Griffith

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Objectives: To examine the relationship between hearing deterioration and several health-related outcomes among home care clients in Ontario. Design: Longitudinal analysis was completed for clients with at least two comprehensive assessments. Hearing status, based on a single item, ranged from zero (no impairment) to three (highly impaired). Hearing deterioration was defined as at least a 1-point decline between subsequent assessments. Results: Seven percent experienced a 1-point deterioration in hearing and roughly 1% had a 2/3-point decline. After adjusting for other covariates, increasing age (odds ratio = 1.94; 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = [1.45, 2.61]) and a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease …

Combined Impairments In Vision, Hearing And Cognition Are Associated With Greater Levels Of Functional And Communication Difficulties Than Cognitive Impairment Alone: Analysis Of Interrai Data For Home Care And Long-Term Care Recipients In Ontario, Dawn M. Guthrie, Jacob G.S. Davidson, Nicole Williams, Jennifer Campos, Kathleen Hunter, Paul Mick, Joseph B. Orange, M. Kathleen Pichora-Fuller, Natalie A. Phillips, Marie Y. Savundranayagam, Walter Wittich

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Objectives: The objective of the current study was to understand the added effects of having a sensory impairment (vision and/or hearing impairment) in combination with cognitive impairment with respect to health-related outcomes among older adults (65+ years old) receiving home care or residing in a long-term care (LTC) facility in Ontario, Canada.

Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using existing data collected with one of two interRAI assessments, one for home care (n = 291,824) and one for LTC (n = 110,578). Items in the assessments were used to identify clients with single sensory impairments (e.g., vision only [VI], hearing only …

The Effectiveness Of Teamwork Training On Teamwork Behaviors And Team Performance : A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Controlled Interventions, Desmond Mcewan, Geralyn R. Ruissen, Mark Eys, Bruno D. Zumbo, Mark R. Beauchamp

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of teamwork interventions that were carried out with the purpose of improving teamwork and team performance, using controlled experimental designs. A literature search returned 16,849 unique articles. The meta-analysis was ultimately conducted on 51 articles, comprising 72 (k) unique interventions, 194 effect sizes, and 8439 participants, using a random effects model. Positive and significant medium-sized effects were found for teamwork interventions on both teamwork and team performance. Moderator analyses were also conducted, which generally revealed positive and significant effects with respect to several sample, intervention, and measurement …

The Effects Of Orthotics And Increased Plantar Sole Mechanoreceptor Activation On Turning Performance In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Kelly A. Robb

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Locomotion and turning are complex movement patterns essential to activities of daily living. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) report difficulties turning, often coupled with impaired balance and increased fear of falling. The purpose of this within-subject study was to determine if orthotics, with and without a textured top cover, can improve gait stability and turning performance within Parkinson’s participants. Seven participants with a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, aged 55-80 years old, participated in the study. Participants completed three testing sessions; baseline, 4 weeks post-baseline, and 5 weeks post-baseline. The ‘footwear only’ and ‘footwear + non-textured orthotic’ conditions were tested …

The Effects Of A 12-Week Custom Foot Orthotic Intervention On The Intrinsic Muscles Of The Foot, And Dynamic Stability During Unexpected Gait Termination In Healthy Young Adults, Katrina Protopapas

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Introduction: Custom-made foot orthotics (CFO’s) are a commonly prescribed intervention to help individuals that are suffering from foot pain and foot disorders. However, the mechanisms of CFO’s are still poorly understood and are not well known. With the plantar intrinsic muscles of the foot being in direct contact with the CFO, it puts these structures at risk for disuse muscle atrophy as a result of being offloaded. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of a 12-week custom-made foot orthotic intervention on the intrinsic muscles of the foot and dynamic stability during unexpected gait termination. …

What Lies Past Remission: The Perceived Late Effects Of Pediatric Cancer, Monica L. Molinaro

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Objective

Pediatric cancer survival rates are increasing (Childhood Cancer Canada Foundation, 2011) and with this, so are the late effects of pediatric cancer (Oeffinger et al., 2006). This research examines the lived experiences of the perceived long-term effects of pediatric cancer on adult survivors and their primary support persons in order to understand the multifaceted nature of the illness on adults, and how it affects others close to them.

Methods

The theoretical orientation used to guide the research was phenomenology in order to present an accurate depiction of all the participants’ lived experiences. Specifically, background questionnaires were administered and one-on-one …

The Effects Of External Focus Of Attention Exercise Rehabilitation On Dual Task Walking In Parkinson's Disease, Eric N. Beck

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Parkinson’s disease impairs control of well-learned movements, and therefore, individuals with Parkinson’s disease are forced to walk with greater conscious control. This causes difficulties while walking and completing a secondary task simultaneously (dual tasking), in that distractions from conscious control of walking increase the risk of falls and injury. Although, attention-based exercise may be a potential avenue to decrease the demands associated with walking in Parkinson’s disease. For example, an external focus of attention (on manipulated objects) has been found to recruit the networks that are important for walking with little conscious control (automatic control networks). In contrast, an internal …

The Influence Of Hip Mobility And Fatigue On Spinal Flexion And Muscle Activation In Rugby Scrum Performance, Joshua D. Clayton

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Introduction: Rugby scrumming is a means of restarting play following a minor rule infringement that can occur up to 28 times per game. The scrum poses a significant injury risk, with more days missed due to injury per event than any other rugby activity. Rugby players also have a significantly higher rate of spine injury than the general population, perhaps due to flexion in combination with high compression forces, which has been cited as the main mechanism of injury. Flexion of the spine has also been associated with poor hip mobility and quadriceps fatigue in other athletic tasks and may …

Influence Of Planning Resources On Gait Control In Parkinson’S Disease, Frederico P. Faria

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Movement disturbances in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been associated with difficulties to plan complex actions. Performance of simple and complex actions overloads resources for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it is unclear if central resources required to plan gait adjustments while walking exacerbate gait disturbances of patients with PD. More specifically, it is unclear how gait impairments, sensory processing, and the dopaminergic system influence the load on processing resources (e.g. cognitive load) during the planning of step modifications. In order to investigate the relative influence of these factors on cognitive load and its impact on gait control, …

An Athletic Approach To Studying Perception-Action Integration: Does Sport-Specific Training, And The Impact Of Injury, Influence How Individuals Visually Guide Navigation?, Carmen Baker, Jennifer Campos Ph.D, Michael E. Cinelli Ph.D.

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The objective of this thesis was to investigate perception-action integration capabilities of individuals during a choice navigation task. This task assessed navigation strategies in open space while individuals avoided colliding with two vertical obstacles that created a body-scaled, horizontal gap, at three varying obstacle distances from the starting location (3m, 5m, 7m). The two studies completed in this thesis employed the same paradigm to assess the hypothesized group differences. Gaze behaviours and kinematics of navigation strategies were compared between: 1) athletes specifically trained in navigating in open space versus non-athletes; and 2) athletes with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) versus non-concussed, specifically …

The Effect Of Training Older Adults In Tai Chi And Compensatory Stepping On Balance Control, Hannah L. Moore Miss

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

Introduction: In Canadian society, there is a growing prevalence of older adults and one of the main problems facing this generation today is the risk of falling. Tai Chi (TC) is a martial art that has demonstrated improvements in balance control. It uses a series of fluid movements that engage head, neck and trunk rotation while simultaneously reducing base of support. In addition, it has been demonstrated that training older adults by administering unpredictable perturbations to challenge balance better equips them to react successfully in response to balance perturbations. This study aims to determine the potential balance specific benefits …

A Comparison Of Home Care Quality Indicator Rates In Two Canadian Provinces, Dawn M. Guthrie, Amanda M. Mofina

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

Background. Home care is becoming an increasingly vital sector in the health care system yet very little is known about the characteristics of home care clients and the quality of care provided in Canada. We describe these clients and evaluate home care quality indicator rates in two regions. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis of assessments completed for older (age 65+) home care clients in both Ontario (n=102,504) and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (n=9,250) of Manitoba, using the Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care (RAI-HC). This assessment has been mandated for use in these two regions and the indicators are generated …

An Exploratory Examination Of Families Engaged In An Adventure Running Kids Program, Heather Isnor

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Academics and practitioners have only just begun to delve into the health benefits of outdoor activities in the last few years. In general, the forested settings of these activities have been documented to decrease stress levels, increase recovery rates from disease, and lessen the symptoms of mental illnesses (Kuo & Faber Taylor, 2004). It is believed that the natural environment acts as a setting where humans can engage in physical activity, aesthetic experiences, and social interactions that, in turn, release stress and lead to improved well-being (Bird, 2012). Currently, however, children are experiencing limited exposure to nature and which has …

Physical Fitness Characteristics Of An Active Firefighter Population Serving An Urban Area, Michael R. Antolini

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Firefighters require a high level of physical fitness in order to meet the demands of their profession. While physical fitness testing is required to join the department, firefighters are not subject to further formal exercise testing throughout the duration of their careers. Active, career firefighters were tested on a variety of physical fitness measures related to body composition, strength, power, and endurance over three testing sessions. 49 firefighters (40.5 ± 8.3 yr, 89.5 ± 13.0 kg, 27.8 ± 3.6 kg/m2) were found to have a resting heart rate of 57.7 ± 8.2 bpm, blood pressure of 121.5 ± 11.9/71.5 ± …

The Practitioner's Corner: An Exploration Of Municipal Active Living Charter Development And Advocacy, M. Blair Evans, Alex J. Benson, Terry L. Mitchell, Jennifer Robertson-Wilson, Mark Eys

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

Background: Numerous municipal active living-­‐related charters have been adopted to promote physical activity in Canada throughout the past decade. Despite this trend, there are few published critical examinations of the process through which charters are developed and used.

Purpose: Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish greater understanding of active living charter development and advocacy.

Methods: Semi-­‐structured interviews were conducted with eight primary contributors to different active living-­‐related charters across Ontario, Canada. Interview questions explored participants’ experiences developing and advocating for an active living charter. Interviews were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding.

Results and Conclusions: Participants …

The Lived Experiences Of Individuals With Acquired Deafblindness: Challenges And The Future, Paula C. Fletcher, Dawn M. Guthrie

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

The lived experiences of seven individuals who are deaf blind (DB) were explored through the use of semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Two of the emerging themes from this phenomenological analysis were: (1) the daily challenges faced by the participants (e.g., difficulties with communication; compromised activities of daily living; lack of independence; and (2) their lack of preparedness for the future resulting from the uncertainties associated with their degenerative diseases. The findings from this study clearly articulate the importance of intervenor services from the perspective of these individuals.

The Adaptation Challenges And Strategies Of Adolescent Aboriginal Athletes Competing Off Reserve, Robert J. Schinke, Amy T. Blodgett, Hope E. Yungblut, Mark Eys, Randy C. Battochio, Mary Jo Wabano, Duke Peltier, Stephen Ritchie, Patricia Pickard, Danielle Recollet-Saikkonen

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

Within the motivation literature, it has been indicated that athletes respond more effectively to sport’s contextual challenges through effective adaptation skills. Fiske identified five core motives as facilitators of the adaptation process across cultures: belonging, understanding, controlling, self-enhancement, and trusting. Through a cultural sport psychology approach, the adaptation challenges and strategies of Canadian Aboriginal adolescent athletes from one community (Wikwemikong) are described as they traveled off reserve to compete in mainstream sporting events. Concurrently, Fiske’s core motives are considered in relation to youth sport participants from the aforementioned Aboriginal community. Culture sensitive research methods among the Wikwemikong, including community meetings, …

Role Ambiguity Within Sport Teams, Grégoire Bosselut, Jean-Philippe Heuzé, Mark Eys

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

Résumé: L’objectif de cet article est de présenter une synthèse des travaux publiés ces dernières années en contexte sportif, sur l’un des éléments fondamentaux de la structure du groupe (Shaw, 1981), l’ambiguïté du rôle. La première approche de l’ambiguïté du rôle proposée par Kahn, Wolfe, Quinn, Snoek et Rosenthal (1964) prend sa source dans le contexte organisationnel. Inspiré de ces travaux et adapté au domaine sportif, Beauchamp, Bray, Eys, et Carron (2002) ont proposé un modèle multidimensionnel de l’ambiguïté du rôle composé de quatre manifestations (i.e., étendue des responsabilités, comportements liés au rôle, évaluation du rôle, conséquences liées au rôle) …

Evaluation Of Work Place Group And Internet Based Physical Activity Interventions On Psychological Variables Associated With Exercise Behavior Change, Kimberley A. Dawson, Jill Tracey, Tanya Berry

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

The purpose of this research was to compare group-based and internet-based physical activity interventions in terms of desirability, participants characteristics, exercise self-efficacy, and barrier self-efficacy. Pretest questionnaires were completed prior to voluntary enrollment into either of the ten-week physical activity interventions. Both interventions were based on Social Cognitive Theory and the Transtheoretical Model. Interventions were followed with posttest questionnaires. Results demonstrated that the internet intervention attracted more participants, but only the grou-based participants showed significant increases in exercise and barrier self-efficacy. At pretest, participants who selected the internet intervention were significantly lower in life and job satisfaction than those who …

Female Mate Choice Is Influenced By Male Sport Participation, Albrecht I. Schulte-Hostedde, Mark A. Eys, Krista Johnson

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

Sexual selection theory argues that females invest more heavily in reproduction than males and thus tend to be choosier in terms of mate choice. Sport may provide a context within which females can gain information about male quality to inform this choice. Males may be able to display attractive traits such as athleticism, strength, and physique to females while participating in sport. We predicted that females would favor males that participated in team sports over individual sports and non-athletes because team sport athletes may be more likely to display qualities such as the ability to work well with others and …

The Relationship Between Agency Characteristics And Quality Of Home Care, Dawn M. Dalby, John P. Hirdes

Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Publications

ABSTRACT. Background. This project assessed the relationship between home care quality indicators HCQIs) and agency characteristics. Methods. Twelve agencies completed a mailed survey on a variety of characteristics, including size of their caseload and for-profit (FP) status of contracted service providers. The HCQIs were derived from standardized assessments completed voluntarily for home care clients in Ontario and in Manitoba, Canada. Results. The average caseload was 121.3 clients per case manager, and over 40% of nursing, personal support and therapy providers were considered FP. For individual HCQIs, few correlations were statistically significant. An overall summary measure of quality was …