Co-funded projects and initiatives

Over the last five years, MIRA has strengthened its interdisciplinary research through co-funded research initiatives aimed at leveraging LCMA funds. This has resulted in a greater reach in nurturing and deepening interdisciplinary connections across a wide range of stakeholders.

AGE-WELL Strategic Investment Program (SIP) Accelerator Funding

Continuous medication and mobility monitoring of older adults living with cancer *

Qiyin Fang

This research program will develop a tool for predictive management of older cancer patients based on longitudinal multimodality data. An interdisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers have assembled to develop low cost, non-intrusive sensing technologies to monitor a patient’s indoor location and track the type(s) of medication used and timing of intake. Integration of technologies with wearable sensors will allow round-the-clock monitoring of the physical location and physiological state of a person, which may promote better care and prevent unnecessary use of unplanned and resource-intensive services. This study will yield strategies for optimal design and usage protocol of continuous monitoring technologies in a home setting for older adults living with chronic diseases.

RESEARCH IMPACT

This research has yielded three publications, one conference presentation, five new collaborators, including a new industry partner, and supported seven students.

INVESTIGATOR

Qiyin Fang

* Progress on this research has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 research restrictions imposed in March of 2020.

IPRC and LCMA Catalyst Grants

In 2021 MIRA will be in its third cycle of supporting a Catalyst Grant in collaboration with the Institute for Pain Research and Care (IPRC). Previous grant recipients are showcased here.

“Mobility is critical to aging well. Addressing the influence of pain on the mobility of older adults is an important direction that MIRA is excited to take with the IPRC.”

-- Parminder Raina

2019 IPRC and LCMA Catalyst Grant

A user-centered approach to develop a pre-surgical rehabilitation program for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis *

Luciana Macedo

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) is a condition with a degenerative aetiology in which narrowing of the spinal canal results in entrapment of neurovascular structures. The prevalence of LSS is higher in those aged 55 or older and is the most common diagnosis associated with spinal surgery in adults over 65 years of age. Unfortunately, many patients who have surgery for LSS continue to have pain and disability after surgery and are likely to continue to be long term opioid users. This research program will develop a pre-habilitation program for people with LSS to improve post-surgical pain and disability. Research will involve conducting qualitative interventions with participants before surgery and one-year post-surgery. Data from the Canadian Spine Outcomes Registry Network will be analyzed to understand which presurgical factors lead to good outcomes. This data will be used to create a pre-habilitation program for LSS.

RESEARCH IMPACT

This study has yielded one publication, one conference presentation, supported five students/research staff, and engaged two end-users as consultants.

INVESTIGATORS

Luciana Macedo, Lisa Carlesso, James Gillett, Liz Hassan, Janie Wilson, Brian Drew, Douglass Gross, Raja Rampersaud

The grant has allowed me to develop a large number of local and national collaborators, including researchers from different disciplines as well as clinicians, patients and health care administrators. This grant was incredibly important for the development of our network of collaboration, and it provided the building block for other grant applications.

-- Luciana Macedo

* Progress on this research has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 research restrictions imposed in March of 2020.

2020 IPRC and LCMA Catalyst Grant

Feasibility study to assess the added value of Integrated Musculoskeletal BiofEeedback Device (IMBED) combined with neuromuscular exercise and education (GLA-DTM) to decrease chronic pain in older adults with osteoarthritis *

Pasqualina Santaguida

This research project will evaluate the feasibility and added value of a new technology called Integrated Musculoskeletal BiofFeedback Device (IMBED). When IMBED is combined with a specialized neuromuscular exercise and education program called Good Living with Arthritis in Denmark (GLA-D™), it is postulated that these combined programs will result in decreased chronic pain in older adults with lower

restrictions. extremity osteoarthritis. This research will involve the development of a new integrated device that adapts and combines digital mapping of chronic pain (i.e., phone and iPad type screens), monitors muscle activity (i.e., EMG biofeedback), and senses body motion (accelerometers). The IMBED technology will be designed to track pain and body movements in a training and home setting during normal daily activities.

INVESTIGATORS

Pasqualina Santaguida, Qiyin Fang, Stuart Phillips, Patricia Baker

* The project start has been delayed due to COVID-19