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May 31, 2012
CanChild Today
Greetings!
 

This edition of the CanChild Today newsletter features recently published articles by CanChild scientists and their colleagues, and celebrates recent CanChild accomplishments. To find out more about CanChild, or to locate more great resources, visit www.canchild.ca

 
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New Research Grants!

The Pollock Foundation has generously funded four new studies at CanChild. Led by CanChild investigators and trainees, these pilot projects provide the information needed to guide larger studies in physical activity, sex education, participation and communication for children and youth with disabilities. They include: 

Congratulations to Lisa Rivard and Chantal Camden on receiving the Ontario Physiotherapy Association Kim Wolny Research Grant. This grant will enable the team to develop and evaluate an online knowledge resource for physiotherapists to facilitate management of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Cheryl Missiuna & Nancy Pollock are co-investigators.
Honours & Awards.....Congratulations to the following CanChild graduate students!
  • Chantal Camden: CIHR 2 year Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Fonds de recherche du Qu�bec - Sant� (FRSQ) Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP) Career Enhancement Program, & Pursuit Award Finalist
  • Briano DiRezze: CIHR 2 year Post-Doctoral Fellowship (Offord Centre)
  • Nora Fayed: Michael DeGroote Post-Doctoral Fellowship (McMaster University), CIHR 3 year Post-Doctoral Fellowship, & Pursuit Award Finalist.
  • Danielle Levac: CIHR 3 year Post-Doctoral Fellowship & CCHCSP Career Enhancement Program.
  • Lisa Rivard: Holds a CIHR Doctoral Fellowship, now accepted into CCHCSP Career Enhancement Program  
  • Keiko Shikako-Thomas: FRSQ Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Recent Publications by CanChild Scientists & Research Associates  
Reliability of the Motor Learning Strategy Rating Instrument for children and youth with acquired brain injury
The Motor Learning Strategy Rating Instrument (MLSRI) quantifies the extent to which motor learning strategies are used within physiotherapy interventions. The reliability and feasibility of administering the MLSRI for children with acquired brain injury were evaluated in this recently e-published study (Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics). The investigators determined excellent intra-rater reliability and moderate inter-rater reliability, and recommend revisions and further reliability testing prior to clinical and research use. Authors: T Kamath, M Pfeifer, P Banerjee-Guenette, T Hunter, J Ito, NM Salbach, V Wright, D Levac. Abstract.

Active Video Game Play in children with cerebral palsy: Potential for physical activity promotion and rehabilitation therapies
The purpose of this study recently published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was to evaluate the potential of active video game play for physical activity promotion and rehabilitation therapies in children with cerebral palsy (CP) through a quantitative exploration of energy expenditure, muscle activation, and quality of movement. Moderate levels of physical activity were achieved during the dance and boxing games. A high level of enjoyment was reported on the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Active video game play via a low-cost, commercially available system can offer an enjoyable opportunity for light to moderate physical activity in children with CP. Authors: J Howcroft, S Klejman, D Fehlings, V Wright, K Zabjek, J Andrysek, E Biddiss. Abstract

 

Pediatric hospital medicine and children with medical complexity: Past, present, and future
Children with medical complexity, regardless of underlying diagnoses, share similar functional and resource needs, including intensive services, reliance on technology and medications, and/or home care. Published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, this review article outlines the past, present, and future of children with medical complexity. Both general pediatric skills and specific expertise in care coordination and communication skills with patients, families, and other medical and non-medical care providers, are necessary for physicians working in children's hospitals. This article discusses practice management, clinical care, research, education, and quality improvement. Authors: TD Simon, S Mahant, E Cohen. Abstract.

Beliefs about responsibilities, the aims of therapy and the structure of the therapy process: a qualitative study of caseload management issues in child health occupational therapy
This interview study published in Child: Care, Health & Development, explored paediatric occupational therapists' beliefs about their responsibilities in managing children on their caseloads, the aims of therapy, and the structure of the therapy process. Therapists were found to have strong beliefs about professional responsibility. There was a lot of variation in their beliefs about what their professional responsibilities were, about the aims of therapy, and about the ways in which the therapy process should be structured. The authors propose that variations in therapists' beliefs could in part explain variation in therapists' service provision actions. Implications for practice, policy and future research were identified. Authors: N Kolehmainen, JJ Francis, L McKee, EA Duncan. Abstract

Developmental Coordination Disorder, gender, and body weight: Examining the impact of participation in active play
This article published in Research in Developmental Disabilities explores gender-specific effects of participation in active play on body weight in children in grades four through eight with Developmental Coordination Disorders (DCD). The investigators found gender specific patterns in the relationship between participation in active play, DCD, and body weight/fat. From a clinical or intervention perspective, the results suggest that, if weight control is the concern, gender specific interventions for DCD should be considered. Authors: J Cairney, MY Kwan, JA Hay, BE Faught. Abstract.

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