Research

A helical image with text in the middle hub, in the next outer layer and then a final thin layer on the outer perimeter. The central hub contains a list of seven domains of brain, education, global health, musculoskeletal, heart and lung, mental health, and pain. On the next layer, which appears to spiral and emanate from the hub, the eight research strategies are shown in separate sections, these are methodological innovations, therapeutic approaches, underlying mechanisms, technologies for health, promoti

The School of Physical & Occupational Therapy (SPOT) has over 30 researchers working across the broad spectrum of rehabilitation science.

Discover our 7 research domains, 8 research strategies, and 3 life stages used to approach our research projects.

Researchers & Programs

Latest Publications

Winter 2025

Bérubé, M., Singer, L.N., Guénette, L., Bourque, L., Ngomo, S., & Hudon, A. (2025). Living successfully with chronic pain: Identifying the pivotal conditions needed to make it happen. Journal of Pain, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105332

Throw, A.M., Harris, P., & Lencucha, R. (2025). Vision, relationships, patience … and power: A qualitative analysis of how policy agents scale up cross-sectoral policy for nutrition. Social Science & Medicine, 272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117939

Anaby, D., Hsieh, Y.H., Yamaguchi, S., Calderon-Moya, M., Khayargoli, P., Khan, A., & Hanes, J. (2025). Opportunities to experience changes during adverse times: perspectives of young people with physical disabilities and their therapists following the PREP intervention. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2474086

Bühler, M.A., & Lamontagne, A. (2025). Obstacle Circumvention Strategies During Omnidirectional Treadmill Walking in Virtual Reality. Sensors, 25(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/s25061667

Shi, Z., Gainforth, H.L., Thomas, A., Bloom, G.A., .& Sweet, S.N. (2025). Barriers and facilitators to implementing peer mentorship programs for individuals with spinal cord injury into rehabilitation hospitals: a multiple case study. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2471569

Ryan, M., Fathi, N., Phoenix, M., Granlund, M., Graham, F., & Anaby, D. (2025). Capacity building for youth with disabilities: principles and key ingredients identified through a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2471572

Roseen, E.J., Bussières, A. … & Morone, N.E. (2025). A multi-level implementation strategy to increase adoption of chiropractic care for low back pain in primary care clinics: a randomized stepped-wedge pilot study protocol. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 33(9). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-024-00565-w

Thambinathan, V., Wylie, L., & Kinsella, E.A. (2025). Architectures of counter remembrance: co-constructing memory box autobiographies with second-generation Tamil refugees. Qualitative Research in Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2025.2457063

Ataman, R., Ahmed, S., Allegue, D.R., Filali-Mouhim, A., Misana, A., Auger, C., McKerral, M., Berta, W., & Thomas, A. (2025). Development and evaluation of tailored, theory-informed training to support the implementation of an outcome measure: an explanatory sequential mixed method study. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2462196

Gagné-Pelletier, L., Poitras, I., Roig, M., & Mercier, C. (2025). Factors associated with upper extremity use after stroke: a scoping review of accelerometry studies. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 22(33). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01568-1

Kara, K., Kara, O.K., Kose, B., Dogan, M., Cetin, S.Y., Sahin, S., & Anaby, D. (2025). School participation, supports and barriers of children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2024-002917

Levett, J.J., Alnasser, A., Teoli, A., Martel, S., Robbins, S., Huk, O.L., Zukor, D.J., & Antoniou, J. (2025). Long-term impact of physical activity and sports participation on implant integrity in resurfacing hip arthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review. HIP International. https://doi.org/10.1177/11207000251315941

Wideman, T.H. (2025). Editorial: In-between wisdom. The International Journal of Whole Person Care, 12(1). https://ijwpc.mcgill.ca/article/view/590/725

Piscitelli, D., Khayat, J., Feldman, A.G., & Levin, M.F. (2025). Clinical Relevance of the Tonic Stretch Reflex Threshold and μ as Measures of Upper Limb Spasticity and Motor Impairment After Stroke. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968325131868

Price, M.J., Wiltshire, G., Billany, R.E., & Janaudis-Ferreira, T. (2025). Editorial: Exercise and transplant sport—the journey to a more active life. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1564320

Mazer, B., Haynes, S., Ficara, V., Streib, A., St-Jean, S., Spiridigliozzi, A.M., Minichiello, R., & Feldman, D.E. (2025). Rehabilitation service utilization among individuals with long COVID in Laval, Canada. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2459894

Alharbi, H., Higgins, J., Leonard, G., Boissy, P., Vincent, C., Leclerc, J., Milot, M.H., & Boudrias, M.H. (2025). Museum-Based Art Therapy Program in the Chronic Phase of Stroke: A Feasibility Pilot Study, Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2024.2418153

Rodrigues, L., Moncion, K., Angelopoulos, S.A., De Las Heras, B., Sweet, S., Eng, J.J., Fung, J., MacKay-Lyons, M., Tang, A., & Roig, M. (2025). Psychosocial Responses to a Cardiovascular Exercise Randomized Controlled Trial: Does Intensity Matter for Individuals Post-stroke?. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2025.01.468

Vakil, P., Ferré, P., Higgins, J., Beaulieu, L.D., Milot, M.H., & Boudrias, M.H. (2025). Descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study of rehabilitation care for poststroke users in Québec during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open, 15(1):e082602. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082602

Ianni, L., Camden, C., Campbell, W., Colquhoun, H. & Anaby, D. (2025). Occupational Therapist-Teacher Collaboration in Inclusive Education in Québec: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. doi: 10.1177/00084174241310078.

Osman, A., Radman, D., Belchior, P., & Gelinas, I. (2025). A systematic review of psychometric properties of questionnaires assessing activities of daily living among older adults with neurocognitive disorders. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 72(1), e13013. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.13013.

Nematollahi, S., Rampakakis, E., Amara, M., … & Dahan-Oliel, N. (2024). Health-related quality of life in 205 children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Quality of Life Research. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11136-024-03808-8

Deshommes, T., Freire, G., … Gagnon, I.J., … & Moore, L. (2024). Low-Value Clinical Practices in Pediatric Trauma Care. JAMA Network Open, 7(10). e2440983. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.40983

Leemans, L., Nijs, J., Wideman, T.H., den Bandt, H., Moens, M., Joos, E., & Beckwee, D. (2024). Do measures of central sensitization relate to movement-evoked pain in people with chronic low back pain? A longitudinal prospective study, Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 28(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2024.101138

Zafran, H. (2024). “This is the World I Thought It Was.” Working with Emergent Adults Living at the Intersections of Queer and Racialized Identities During a Time of Anti-Trans Politics and Genocide. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2024.2431823

Lim, T.H., … Bussières, A., & Al Zoubi, F. (2024). Non-Pharmacological Spine Pain Management in Clinical Practice Guidelines: A Systematic Review Using AGREE II and AGREE-REX Tools. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2024.12729

Kuhlmann, N., Thomas, A., Incio-Serra, N., & Blain-Moraes, S. (2024). Piece of Mind: knowledge translation performances for public engagement on Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1439362

Duquette-Laplante, F., Jutras, B., Gravel, J., Beauchamp, M.H., Ratelle, J., Gagnon, I., & Koravand, A. (2024). Central auditory processing and cognitive abilities after mild traumatic brain injury in school-aged children. International Journal of Audiology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2024.2424871

Ganji, M.F., Nematollahi, S., Sehat, M., & Holakouie-Naieni, K. (2024). Epidemiological landscape in Iran: A qualitative analysis of strengths, weaknesses, and growth potential. Public Health, 237, 397-402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2024.10.039

Scratch, S., .. Gagnon, I., Caron, J., Reed, N., & Biddiss, E. (2024). Return-to-Play With R2Play: Protocol for Evaluating Cross-Site Feasibility, Face Validity, and Content Validity of a Multidomain Concussion Assessment Tool for Youth. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2024-0106

Lazarowitz, R., Taqi, D., Lee, C., Boruff, J., McBain, K., Majnemer, A., Bussières, A., & Dahan-Oliel, N. (2024). Knowledge Translation Interventions to Increase the Uptake of Evidence-Based Practice Among Pediatric Rehabilitation Professionals: A Systematic Review. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2024.2421854

Gervais-Hupé, J., Filleul, A., … Wideman, T.H., … Lasnier, N., & Hudon, A. (2024). “How can we help you?”: results of a scoping review on the perceived needs of people living with chronic pain regarding physiotherapy. MBC Health Services Research, 24(1401). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11805-3

Bandara, S., Phiri, M.M., Magati, P., Drope, J., Adams, A., Hunt, M., & Lencucha, R. (2024). Contextual factors impacting WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control implementation in Africa—a scoping review. Health Promotion International, 39(6). https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daae155

Rajda, C.M., Desabrais, K., & Levin, M.F. (2024). Relationships Between Cognitive Impairments and Motor Learning After Stroke: A Scoping Review. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. https://doi.org/10.1177/15459683241300458

Ledoux, A.A., Sicard, V., … Gagnon, I., … (2024). Symptom Recovery in Children Aged 5 to 12 Years With Sport-Related and Non–Sport-Related Concussion, JAMA Network Open, 7(12):e2448797. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.48797

Tremblay, S.M., Lal, S., Ferro, M.A., & Anaby, D. (2025). Services Addressing Mental Health Needs of Youth in Physical Rehabilitation: Perspectives of Clinicians, Youth and Family Members. Child Care Health Dev, 51(1):e70019. doi: 10.1111/cch.70019.

Mak, S., Hunt, M., Razack, S., Root, K., & Thomas, A. (2024). Stakeholder Perspectives on Retention Strategies for Rehabilitation Professionals: A Qualitative Study. Qualitative Health Research. doi:10.1177/10497323241286387

Soilis, N., Bhanji, F., & Kinsella, E.A. (2024). Virtual reality simulation for facilitating critical reflection and transformative learning: pedagogical, practical, and ethical considerations. Advances in Simulation, 9(49). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41077-024-00319-x

Bpmom. M., Racette, E., … Thomas, A., Omer Dyer, J., … & Rochette, A. (2024). Le déploiement des compétences en téléréadaptation en contexte de pandémie de COVID-19 : le vécu des ergothérapeutes du Québec. Revue Francophone de Recherche en Ergotherapie, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.13096/rfre.v10n2.5949

Morales Fajardo, K., Yan, X., Lungoci, G., Sanchez, M.C., Mitsis, G.D. & Boudrias, M.H. (2024). The Modulatory Effects of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Brain Oscillatory Patterns in the Beta Band in Healthy Older Adults. Brain Sciences, 14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121284

Gefen, N., Mazer, B., Krasovsky, T., & Weiss, P.L. (2024). Novel rehabilitation technologies in pediatric rehabilitation: knowledge towards translation. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17483107.2024.2445017

Tanaka, S., Shinonaga,A., … Takane, R., & Robbins, S.M. (2024). Pain Catastrophizing Is Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Hip Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Musculokeletal Care, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.70034

Vingron, N., Karoza, L.A., … Vo, M., & Kehayia, E. (2025). How words can guide our eyes: Increasing engagement with art through audio-guided visual search in young and older adults. The Mental Lexicon. https://doi.org/10.1075/ml.24024.vin

Teel, E.F., Dobney, D., Friedman, D., Grilli, L., Beaulieu, C., & Gagnon, I.J. (2025). A Concussion Management Policy Change Promoted Earlier Initiation of Rehabilitation Services and Improved Clinical Recovery Outcomes in Concussion. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2024-0097

Robbins, S.M., Renaud, P., & Ugbolue, U.C. (2025). Kinematic Alterations with Changes in Putting Distance and Slope Incline in Recreational Golfers. Bioengineering, 12(1), 69. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12010069

Jaber, F., Hoang, M.A., Feldman, D. E., Saunders, S., & Mazer, B. (2025). Factors associated with changes in employment in individuals with long COVID. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, https://doi.org/10.1177/105198152413004

MacKinnon, C., Castro-Barquero, C., Kontis, A., Patrice, V., Nadarajah, M., & Janaudis-Ferreira, T. (2025). Perspectives of Rehabilitation Professionals on Long COVID Interventions to Facilitate Return-to-Work. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, doi: 10.1177/00084174241312510

Croteau, F., Briand, J., Junge, R.S., Roberge, J., & Robbins, S.M. (2025). Torque Strength Targets: Sex and Sport Differences in Knee and Shoulder Profiles Among Amateur Athletes. JOSPT Open, 3(2). doi:10.2519/josptopen.2025.0095

Fall 2024

Veras, M., … Auger, L.P., Ahmed, S., Boychuck, Z., … & Kairy, D. (2024). A rapid review protocol of physiotherapy and occupational therapy telerehabilitation to inform ethical and equity concerns. Digital Health, 10(1-9). DOI: 10.1177/20552076241260367

Slominska, A.M., Kinsella, E.A., … Ho, J., & Sandal, S. (2024). Losing Much More Than a Transplant: A Qualitative Study of Kidney Transplant Recipients’ Experiences of Graft Failure. Kidney International Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2024.07.011

Lencucha, R., & Cunguara, B. (2024). “Just suffering. That’s it!”: Perspectives of Tobacco Farming Households on Tobacco Growing and Alternatives in Mozambique Households on Tobacco Growing and Alternatives in Mozambique. Southern African Journal of Policy and Development, 7(2). https://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/sajpd/vol7/iss2/5

Maschke, C., O'Byrne, J., … & Blain-Moraes, S. (2024). Critical dynamics in spontaneous EEG predict anesthetic-induced loss of consciousness and perturbational complexity. Communications Biology, 7(946). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06613-8

Fucile, S., Snider, L., O'Brien, K., Smith, L., & Dow, K. (2024). A parent-administered sensorimotor intervention for oral feeding in infants born preterm: A randomized clinical study. Dev Med Child Neurol. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.16046

Gagnon, I. (2024). Chez l’enfant c’est différent ! Nouveautés et avancées dans l’évaluation et la prise en charge de la commotion cérébrale chez l’enfant et l’adolescentChildren are different! New developments and advances in the assessment and management of concussion in children and adolescents. Journal de Traumatologie du Sport, 41(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jts.2024.07.002

Liu, L.Y., Sangani, S., Patterson, K.K., Fung, J., & Lamontagne, A. (2024). Application of an Auditory-Based Feedback Distortion to Modify Gait Symmetry in Healthy Individuals. Brain Science, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080798

Shepherd, H.A., … Gagnon, I., … & Babul, S. (2024). Concussion Awareness Training Tool for Youth: Impact on Concussion Knowledge, Beliefs, and Reporting Intentions, Health Education & Behavior, 1(11). DOI: 10.1177/10901981241263577

Grosboillot, N., Gallou-Guyot, M., Lamontagne, A., Bonnyaud, C., Perrot, A., Allali, G., & Perrochon, A. (2024). Towards a Comprehensive Framework for Complex Walking tasks: Characterization, Behavioral Adaptations, and Clinical Implications in Ageing and Neurological Populations. Ageing Research Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2024.102458

Ippersiel, P., Preuss, R., Wideman, T.H., & Robbins, S.M. (2024). Pain-related threat and coordination in adults with chronic low back pain during a lifting task: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102923

Ippersiel, P., Preuss, R., Kim, B., Giannini, C., & Robbins, S.M. (2024). Pain catastrophizing and trunk co-contraction during lifting in people with and without chronic low back pain: A cross sectional study. European Journal of Pain. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.4717

Kayeye, A., Triantafyllou, I., Mathur, S., & Janaudis-Ferreira, T. (2024). The impact of high intensity training and sports on recipients of solid organ transplants: a narrative review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 6, https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1439399

Langevin, P., Schneider, K.J., Katz-Leurer, M., Chevignard, M., Grilli, L., Crampton, A., & Gagnon, I. (2024). Evolution of dizziness-related disability in children following concussion: a group-based trajectory analysis. Brain Injury. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2024.2393635

Cassidy, A., …. Anaby, D., … Thornton, S., & Imms, C. (2024). A stakeholder-involved adaptation of pathways and resources for engagement and participation (PREP) material with young adults with complex disability in Australia: an implementation feasibility study. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2397083

Khalili, R., Kehayia, E., & Roig, M. (2024). Exercise and Language Performance in Healthy Aging, Stroke and Neurodegenerative Conditions: a Scoping Review. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 27(3); 324-4. https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.27.707

Zaccagnini, M., Bussières, A., Nugus, P., West, A., & Thomas, A. (2024). The scholarly and practice profile of respiratory therapists in Canada: A cross-sectional survey. Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy. https://doi.org/10.29390/001c.122345

Hunt, M., Okhowat, A., Krishnaraj, G., McClelland, I., & Schwartz, L. (2024). Laying the Groundwork: Insights from Organisational Ethics for Humanitarian Innovation. Journal of Humanitarian Affairs. https://doi.org/10.7227/JHA.115

Mahmoudi, E., Yejong Yoo, P., Chandra, A., Cardoso, R., Denner Dos Santos, C., Majnemer, A., & Shikako, K. (2024). Gamification in Mobile Apps for Children With Disabilities: Scoping Review. JMIR Serious Games, 12:e49029.

Kinsella, E.A., Smith, K.S., & Chrestensen, A. (2024). “I seemed calmer, clearer, and better able to react to challenging situations”: phenomenological reflections on learning about mindfulness in health professions education. Advances in Health Sciences Education, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-024-10363-x

Rochette, A., Vermeulen, P., Omer Dyer, J., Hallé, M.C., Gingras, M., Mingant, A., Parisien, M., & Thomas, A. (2024). Deployment of professional expertise during a period of disruption: A phenomenological study of rehabilitation clinicians. J of Eval Clin Pract. doi: 10.1111/jep.14150

Menezes, C.M., Tucci, C., … Bussières, A., … & Aleissa, S. (2024). SPINE20 Recommendations 2024 -Spinal Disability: Social Inclusion as a Key to Prevention and Management. Spine. https://doi.org/10.1177/2192568224129022

Thomas, A., Zafar Iqbal, M., Roberge-Dao, J., Ahmed, S., Bussières, A., Debigaré, R., Letts, L., MacDermid, J.C., Paterson, M., Polatajko, H.J., Rappolt, S., Salbach, N.M., & Rochette, A. (2024). Perspectives on how evidence-based practice changes over time: A qualitative exploration of occupational therapy and physical therapy graduates. J Eval Clin Pract. doi: 10.1111/jep.14200

Contact

Have questions or comments?
Contact research coordinator Erin Douglas, erg.

researchcoordinator.spot [at] mcgill.ca (SPOT Research Coordinator)

 


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