Joy C Macdermid

• BScPT MSc Phd
• Chair at Western University

Objective Several rehabilitation interventions have been proposed to support people with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). However, the full spectrum of these interventions remains unclear, partly due to the complexity of PCC, which encompasses a broad range of symptoms affecting multiple organ systems and health domains. This scoping review aimed to...

Background Firefighters are routinely exposed to significant work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) which can sometimes be career-ending due to the workplace stressors and the physical demands of the job. Shoulder disorders are the third most frequent WRMSDs that cause pain, disability, and morbidity in the general working population. Howe...

Background Given the chronic immune activation and inflammatory milieu associated with Long COVID and HIV, we assessed the prevalence of Long COVID in adults living with HIV; and investigated whether adults living with HIV were associated with increased chance of developing Long COVID compared to adults living without HIV Methods In this systemati...

Introduction: La pandemia de COVID-19 introdujo varias prácticas de salud pública nuevas, como el uso de mascarillas, el distanciamiento social, el lavado de manos más frecuente y la desinfección de superficies. La aplicación de estas medidas preventivas podría haber afectado especialmente a las madres solteras. Objetivo: Los objetivos de este estu...

Background and Purpose Fear of falling (FoF) is a persistent anxiety regarding the risk of falling, which can even impact individuals without a history of falls. Fear of falling has been associated with decreased physical functioning and increased risk of falls. Most interventions have focused on reducing FoF in healthy older adults. This study aim...

Introduction Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are used widely to collect patient perspectives on their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) after stroke. Existing reviews on PROMs typically report the psychometric properties but rarely focus on the content validity. We performed a structured review of the content of items of stroke-speci...

Background Traditionally, health information has been created from the perspective of the providers with minimum patient consultation, hindering engagement and adherence. The rate of shoulder replacements has increased over the past decade, is associated with shorter hospital stays, and patients are relying on education to be able to participate in...

Purpose Distal radius fractures (DRF) that occur from a fall from level ground are considered fragility fractures and may be the first indication that someone has compromised bone mineral density and is at risk of having osteoporosis. Women at about 50 years of age experience a dramatic increase risk of these fractures. Rehabilitation after DRF foc...

Rationale: The integration of evidence-based practice (EBP) into rehabilitation education programs has been widespread, but little is known about how graduates' EBP competencies evolve over time. Aims and Objectives: To explore how and why the use of EBP by occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) evolves during the first 3 years...

Emerging evidence suggests that sex-and gender-based factors may influence responses to exercise post-stroke. The Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines (2016) published international standards for terminology and considerations for research design and trial reporting. The extent to which sex- and gender-based considerations have been...

OBJECTIVES: To (1) investigate whether different labels for neck pain after a motor vehicle crash (MVC) influenced recovery expectations and management beliefs, (2) explore reasons for low recovery expectations and greater likelihood for lodging a claim, and (3) explore the moderating effect of neck pain history and sociodemographic characteristics...

Purpose Enhancing workplace communication and support processes to enable individuals living with disabilities to sustain employment and return to work is a priority for workers, employers, and community stakeholders. The objective of this study was to evaluate a new resource that addresses support challenges, the Job Demands and Accommodation Plan...

Distal radius fracture (DRF) is arguably the most common upper extremity fracture resulting from a fall accident. These clinical practice guidelines (CPG) were developed to guide all aspects of the management of DRF by physical therapists and other rehabilitation practitioners, such as certified hand therapists. This CPG employed a systematic revie...

Background This study reviews and meta-analyzes the responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) Index for various patient populations and treatment durations. Methods A comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL identified studies on the responsiveness or MCID...

Purpose: To summarize and critically appraise the quality of studies investigating psychometric properties of pinch strength assessment. Methods: Medical literature up to February 2024 was searched for studies reporting on at least one measurement property of pinch strength assessment. The quality of the evidence and the risk of bias were rated...

Background The current literature supports the effectiveness of exercise, education, and self-management interventions for the long-term management of persistent low back pain. However, there is significant uncertainty about the implementation of interventions related to barriers, facilitators, and patient’s preferences. This study will evaluate th...

Introduction Knee OA (KOA) can lead to pain, loss of muscle strength, and changes in gait. Knee stiffness is a classic feature of KOA that can increase the risk of falls but has been understudied. Objective To evaluate the impact of knee stiffness, the factors influencing the severity of stiffness, and the repercussions on participation for patien...

Purpose This scoping review with expert insight aims to map outcome measures following supercharged end-to-side anterior interosseous nerve to ulnar nerve transfer procedures, integrating clinical, patient-reported, and electrodiagnostic measures. It also explores surgical rationale and recovery trajectories, aiming to standardize methodologies and...

LAY SUMMARY In this study, the utility of a new self-report scale to capture experiences of discrimination or violence among a sample of Canadian military Veterans with chronic pain was evaluated. The Intersectional Discrimination Index — Major (InDI-M) was administered through an online survey along with other scales to measure experiences of pain...

Given its significant environmental footprint, healthcare sustainability is paramount. This study delves into the contributory role of hand therapy, assessing hand therapists’ comprehension, implementation and barriers to sustainable practices, focusing on orthotic fabrication. A global survey distributed via social media and professional networks...

Purpose Public safety personnel, including first responders, are regularly exposed to physical, social, and psychological risks and occupational requirements. These risks and requirements extend beyond the employee and may also impact the families (for example, work-family conflict, compassion fatigue). Despite recent attention directed at the popu...

Gender expression may be associated with exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations for exercise in the general population. Exercising for challenge and enjoyment are associated with the instrumental traits typically held by individuals with masculine gender expressions. Conversely, exercising for weight loss to receive validation from others...

Research indicates a positive relationship between physical literacy and healthy aging; however, there is no consensus on the components required to become a physically literate adult. The objective of this study was to understand how physical literacy for adults with chronic conditions is characterized from the perspective of healthcare profession...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of remote rehabilitation interventions for people living with chronic musculoskeletal pain and depression. DESIGN: A systematic review with network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials. LITERATURE SEARCH: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS ME...

Purpose: Telerehabilitation is emerging as a means for delivering stroke rehabilitation to address unmet lower extremity rehabilitation needs. However, there is currently limited and low-quality evidence supporting the use telerehabilitation interventions for lower extremity recovery after stroke. Thus, we developed an exercise-based telerehabilit...

BACKGROUND Technology-based solutions to support the mental health needs of workers are on the rise, as evidenced by the growing body of research related to e-mental health applications (apps) implemented with workers or within the context of workplaces. This expanding landscape of evidence related to mental health apps underscores the necessity to...

Purpose: To explore distal radius fracture (DRF) patients' and hand therapist/occupational therapist/physiotherapists' perceptions of integrating home and family work roles (HFWR) into rehabilitation. Methods: Eighteen patients and eleven therapists completed a semi-structured telephone interview three months after DRF. Reflexive thematic analys...

Aims Physical literacy is an emerging strategy to increase participation in movement activities for children and youth, however little is known about how to frame physical literacy for aging adults. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how adults with multiple chronic conditions describe physically literacy for adults and to underst...

Purpose The aims of this study were to describe cultural diversity among physiotherapists, to understand the challenges to the delivery of physiotherapy to equity-seeking communities, and to measure and assess factors associated with cultural competency. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey (57-items) of Canadian physiotherapists that ass...

The objective of the study was to examine the relationship and impact of comorbidity, pain, and function on quality of life in people aged 50-65 with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UED), controlling for sex, occupational status, and age. This was a cross-sectional study. We performed hierarchical linear regression models to assess the e...

Background No patient-reported instrument assesses patient-specific information needs, treatment goals, and Personal Meaningful Gain (PMG, a novel construct evaluating individualized, clinically relevant improvement). This study reports the development of the Patient-Specific Needs Evaluation (PSN) and examines its discriminative validity (i.e., it...

Background Arthritis leads to disabilities impacting patients’ physical and mental health. Objective To synthesize the evidence on measurement properties of the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for people with upper extremity arthritis. Design Overview of systematic reviews (SRs). Methods We performed an electronic search of 6 databases...

We used cluster analysis to determine the profiles of individuals who sustained wrist fractures. We found two groups: (1) young and active and (2) older and less active. This information may be used to identify individuals who require further bone health interventions to optimize healthy aging. Distal radial fractures (DRF) are the most common of a...

Single motherhood is associated with higher demands in home and family responsibilities that may exist in similar sized households with grandparents. These demands can compete with opportunities and resources for maintenance of healthy behaviours. This may have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic since supports outside the home may have b...

Background Posture mechanics during fire suppression tasks are associated with musculoskeletal injuries in firefighters. Methods This study uses the Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) ergonomics tool to describe and evaluate the postures of 48 firefighters during 3 simulated tasks: (a) hose drag, (b) hose pull, and (c) high-rise pack li...

Purpose This scoping review uniquely aims to map the current state of the literature on the applications of wearable sensors in people with or at risk of developing upper extremity musculoskeletal (UE-MSK) conditions, considering that MSK conditions or disorders have the highest rate of prevalence among other types of conditions or disorders that c...

Purpose Firefighters perform dangerous and physically demanding work, increasing their risk of musculoskeletal injuries that can lead to work absences. Return-to-work procedures can help firefighters return-to-work sooner and safely. The purpose of this study was to explore what firefighters understand about return-to-work procedures in their workp...

Background People with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) commonly report a fear of movement that can worsen symptoms and increase disability. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) is used to evaluate fear of movement and (re)injury, but findings have been inconsistent in different populations. Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties...

Importance: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) frequently compromise independent functioning. Objective: To analyze occupational performance post-DRF using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and related interviews, guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). COPM score was compared with stan...

Purpose This study is the second part of a cross-sectional questionnaire aiming to identify Canadian physiotherapists needs and strategies for physiotherapy associations to improve cultural competence in physiotherapy. Methods We conducted a descriptive qualitative analysis of one open-ended question of a cross-sectional questionnaire. We used ind...

Importance Current rehabilitation guidelines for patients with post–COVID-19 condition (PCC) are primarily based on expert opinions and observational data, and there is an urgent need for evidence-based rehabilitation interventions to support patients with PCC. Objective To synthesize the findings of existing studies that report on physical capaci...

Background: Painful sensitivity in the hand is commonly seen with neuropathic pain, interfering with daily activities including rehabilitation. However, there are currently several terms used to describe the problem and a lack of guidance on what assessments should be used. Purpose: To gather expert opinion a) identifying current and common termino...

Background: Patients who identify as 2SLGBTQIA + report negative experiences with physiotherapy. The objectives were to evaluate student attitudes, beliefs and perceptions related to 2SLGBTQIA + health education and working with individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQIA + in entry-level physiotherapy programs in Canada and to evaluate physiotherapy pr...

Background Our objective was to summarize, synthesize, and integrate the evidence evaluating the effectiveness of biophysical agents compared to other conservative treatments, for the management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods This was an overview of systematic reviews (SRs). We searched several online databases and obtained SRs relating...

Background: Telerehabilitation is increasingly being used to meet the rehabilitation needs of situations where face-to-face therapy is not possible. Nevertheless, reports on barriers and facilitators of implementing this method from the perspective of therapists still need to be made available. Purpose: To investigate the experiences of hand the...

Background: Proximal humerus fracture (PHF) is a common upper extremity injury. PHF often causes prolonged disability and interferes with independent function. Purpose: This study reviewed and summarized prognostic factors of recovery following PHF and classified them within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health...

Background Individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ report worse health outcomes than heterosexual/cisgender counterparts, in part due to poor experiences with healthcare professionals. This may stem from inadequate 2SLGBTQIA+ health and inclusiveness training in health professional student education. The purpose of the study was to evaluate knowledg...

The act of searching and retrieving evidence falls under the second step of the EBP process—tracking down the best evidence. The purpose of this study is to understand the competencies of clinicians accessing electronic databases to search for evidence on pain management using a mixed methods approach. Thirty-seven healthcare professionals (14 occu...

Purpose: Breast cancer survivors may experience a variety of disabilities that could potentially compromise their independent functioning. This study aimed to examine their perspectives and experts on their functioning and interpret concepts with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the Item-Perspective...

Objectives: A rising number of systematic reviews have been conducted on various conservative ‎managements of CRPS targeting different rehabilitation interventions and objectives. To summarize and critically appraise the body of evidence on conservative management of the CRPS, and to provide an overall picture of the current state ‎of the literatu...

LAY SUMMARY This study aimed to understand how well published research on pain management in Veterans considered reporting results based on sex and gender differences. The review identified studies that included active duty military or Veterans with pain who were treated with various methods published from January 2000 to May 2022. Studies about pa...

Inconsistent reporting of outcomes in clinical trials of treatments for whiplash associated disorders (WAD) hinders effective data pooling and conclusions about treatment effectiveness. A multidisciplinary International Steering Committee recently recommended 6 core outcome domains: Physical Functioning, Perceived Recovery, Work and Social Function...

Background The purpose of this study was to describe the diagnostic performance of the Neuropathic Pain Subscale of McGill [NP-MPQ (SF-2)] and the Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) questionnaire in differentiating people with neuropathic chronic pain post total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Methods This stu...

Objective: To investigate patient and clinician preferences regarding a preoperative educational program for patients undergoing shoulder replacement surgery. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey of patients awaiting shoulder replacement surgery and clinicians. The survey was comprised of 41 questions for patients and clinicians, re...

Background Occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) are expected to provide evidence-based services to individuals living with disabilities. Despite the emphasis on evidence-based practice (EBP) by professional entry-level programs and professional bodies, little is known about their EBP competencies upon entry to practice and over...

Background As the field of pain evaluation grows, newer and more targeted tools are being published for patient-centric evaluation of specific aspects of the pain experience. The Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ) is intended to capture alterations in bodily awareness or perception. To date only region-specific (back, neck, shoulder, k...

Objective The purpose of this study was to summarize and evaluate the research on the accuracy of provocative maneuvers to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods The MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched, and studies that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of at least 1 provocative test for CTS were selected. Study ch...

In this clinical trial, patients were randomized to receive a pedicled vascularized bone graft, based on the 1,2-intercompartmental supraretinacular artery, or a non-vascularized iliac crest graft. Fixation was done with K-wires. Union and time to union were assessed using CT scans at regular intervals. Twenty-three patients received a vascularized...

Background: Multiple options for patient reported outcome measures are available to assess patients with hand, wrist and elbow impairments. This review of systematic reviews (overview) evaluated the evidence on these outcome measures. Methods: An electronic search of six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, ILC, the Cochrane Central Register of C...

Background: The Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) is a single item patient reported outcome measure (PROM) of function, in where patients rate how normal they feel in relation to a specific joint or problem. Although validated for some orthopedic conditions, it is not yet validated for a population with shoulder pathologies; nor have oth...

Introduction Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) measures the underlying relationships between questionnaire items and the factors (“constructs”) measured by a questionnaire. The Home and Family Work Roles Questionnaire has not been assessed using EFA; therefore, our objective was to identify the factors measured by this questionnaire. Methods We re...

Background Participation is considered a critical outcome of successful rehabilitation and should be evaluated. Objective We aimed to evaluate the structural validity of the Participation Behaviour Questionnaire (PBQ) in people with hand injuries. Methodology The PBQ contains 30 items that measure participation as conceptualized in the ICF. PBQ w...

Objectives: To summarize and critically appraise the body of evidence on conservative management of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: We conducted a literature search from inception to November 2021 in the following databases: Embase, Medline...

Introduction: Impaired cognitive function can co-exist in chronic respiratory diseases. However, it is not clear if peak expiratory flow (PEF) impacts changes in cognitive function. Our objective was to explore whether peak expiratory flow moderates trajectories of memory, visuospatial abilities, and executive function in individuals with chronic...

Background: There is a paucity of research assessing cultural competency among Canadian chiropractors. Therefore, the aims of this study were to (1) measure cultural competency among Canadian chiropractors, (2) understand chiropractors' perspectives of challenges and attitudes regarding the delivery of chiropractic services to equity-seeking commu...

Background: Public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., border services personnel, correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, police, public safety communicators) are frequently exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events. Such events contribute to substantial and growing challenges from posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs), including bu...

Background Little is known about the diversity of the chiropractic profession with respect to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and community of practice. This knowledge is important as profession representation of key equity seeking groups may impact quality of care and access for vulnerable communities. The aim of this cross-sectional s...