Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were compared to age-matched typically developing controls in the context of phase synchrony statistics acquired through magnetoencephalography. Subjects performed a “low-attention” task, pressing a button to a single, repeated auditory tone, and this was contrasted to an “oddball” task where they were required to button press only to deviant tones. The differences in task outcomes were primarily thought to relate to differences in sensory and executive attention. Regardless of task condition, ASD subjects showed greater magnitudes of synchrony between the parietal hemispheres which variably extended across frequencies. Additionally, for ASD subjects, increases in synchrony from the “low-attention” task to the “oddball” task were observed; whereas an opposite tendency occurred for controls. Furthermore, rates of fluctuation of phase differences showed more stable parietal synchrony within ASD across the hemispheric midline. Implications including the possibility of coordination as an indicator of ASD are discussed.

This thesis aimed to test the relationship between resident satisfaction and staff satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional design, administrators, staff and residents from 24 LTC homes were surveyed. Logistic regression models predicting high resident satisfaction were developed with a primary focus on the relationship to direct care staff satisfaction, while controlling for facility, staff and resident characteristics (and facility-level clustering). Regression models were developed for overall staff satisfaction and three other domains of job satisfaction. The odds of high overall resident satisfaction decreased by 27% and 31% for each 1-unit increase in overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with workload, respectively. In contrast, the odds of high overall resident satisfaction increased by 5.56 times for each 1-unit increase in mean staff satisfaction with work content. LTC homes may be able to improve staff and resident experiences concurrently by encouraging direct care staff to enter into meaningful relationships with residents.

Objective: To describe the walking characteristics of a sample of ambulatory subjects with sub-acute incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Methods: 52 subjects were included in a secondary analysis of clinical and spatiotemporal measures of walking. The study sample was described as a whole and subsequently divided into subgroups on the basis of 3 clinical factors (etiology, severity, and neurological level of injury) and 4 gait factors (gait aid, velocity, symmetry, and variability). Results: Clinical and spatiotemporal parameters were highly variable across the study population. Sub–groups with unique gait features were best identified by velocity and variability. Conclusions: Spatiotemporal measures of walking provide augmented description of walking in the sub-acute iSCI population. Sub-grouping by gait factors warrants further investigation with respect to their ability to act as predictors and modifiers of treatment effect.

Aerobic exercise such as cycling is known to elicit a post-exercise hypotensive (PEH) response. However, it is not known if swim exercise produces a similar effect in normotensive individuals. We tested the hypothesis that an acute bout of swimming would elicit a PEH response that is less compared to an equivalent bout of cycling. 10 trained and 11 untrained normotensive (SBP/DBP < 120/80 mmHg) individuals (23±1 years) underwent 30 min intensity-matched cycling and swimming sessions to assess changes in BP and cardiovascular responses. While PEH was similar between modalities within groups, the magnitude and temporality of change in BP following swimming was significantly different (p < 0.01) between groups, with untrained participants showing a significant PEH response. Attenuation of PEH in trained individuals was reflective of a significant increase in sympathetic outflow and slower vagal reactivation, suggesting training in an aquatic environment leads to alterations in post-exercise BP regulatory mechanisms.

The purpose of this thesis is to apply the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) framework to a provincial osteoporosis management program to describe unit level factors that may have influenced implementation among participating inpatient rehabilitation units. A toolbox of measures was proposed to operationalize the frameworks elements of evidence, context and facilitation. A cross-sectional survey was completed with clinicians responsible for championing the program and their managers. Results demonstrated that leadership behaviours, organizational climate traits and champion behaviours varied among practice environments indicating that attention to unit level factors outlined by the PARiHS framework could increase the uptake of research evidence in practice. The proposed toolbox could be utilized as a diagnostic and prescriptive tool to identify potential implementation barriers, and guide the selection of appropriate tools/strategies to overcome them. Furthermore, it will enable future studies to provide further empirical support for the PARiHS framework

Background: Systematic reviews (SRs) should be kept up-to-date to maintain importance in informing health care policy and practice. However, updating policies and practices of health care organizations (HCOs) that fund or conduct SRs are either unclear or non-existent. Objective: To examine updating policies and practices of relevant HCOs. Primary Research Design: An exploratory Internet survey of 195 HCOs within the international SR community. Results: The completed response rate was 58% (n=114) across 26 countries. Although 57% of organizations reported to have a formal updating policy, 59% reported updating practices as irregular. Moreover, 54% estimated more than half of their respective SRs were likely out dated. Resource constraints were a prominent barrier. Most (70%) supported centralizing updating efforts across institutions or agencies. Significance: This research provides a baseline glimpse of the state of updating among HCOs globally involved in evidence synthesis and therefore adds to a limited body of knowledge.

Pre-hypertension (pre-HT) (Blood Pressure (BP) ≥120/80mmHg to ≤ 140/90mmHg) increases the risk of developing hypertension (HT). BP reductions following acute exercise are known as post exercise hypotension (PEH). BP and perhaps PEH shows a daily circadian rhythm. Purpose: To compare the magnitude of PEH after morning and evening aerobic exercise in adults with pre-HT. Hypothesis: The magnitude of PEH will be larger after evening versus morning exercise. Participants: Pre-HT men and women 50-65 years old. Study Design: Participants engaged in cycling exercise (60% VO2max) on two occasions: 1.5 and 11 hours following waking. Cardiovascular function was assessed for 30 minutes pre and one hour post exercise. Results: 1) Systolic PEH responses affected by TOD differed by gender. 2) Baseline Heart Rate Variability and its response to exercise differed gender but not TOD. The inconsistent significant gender and TOD differences of PEH and its mechanisms suggest that this group.

Aerobic exercise is recommended as a lifestyle intervention to reduce blood pressure (BP) in individuals with elevated BP (SBP/DBP >120/80 mmHg). However, the BP response is highly variable after both acute (SBP/DBP: –27 to 9/-8 to 7mmHg) and chronic aerobic exercise (-20 to 9/ -11 to 11.3mmHg). We attempt to identify those who are resistant or responsive to training based on their responses to acute (one-bout) exercise. 17 prehypertensive (120 to 139/80 to 89mmHg) males and females (45-60yrs) underwent acute exercise assessments before and after an 8-week walking/jogging program. The magnitude of change in BP after acute exercise significantly correlated (r=.89, p < .01) with the magnitude of change in resting BP after the training. The antihypertensive mechanisms (total peripheral resistance, baroreflex sensitivity) for acute exercise were not correlated to those for chronic exercise. Central cardiovascular controls may link BP reductions after both acute and chronic exercise.

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were compared to age-matched typically developing controls in the context of phase synchrony statistics acquired through magnetoencephalography. Subjects performed a “low-attention” task, pressing a button to a single, repeated auditory tone, and this was contrasted to an “oddball” task where they were required to button press only to deviant tones. The differences in task outcomes were primarily thought to relate to differences in sensory and executive attention. Regardless of task condition, ASD subjects showed greater magnitudes of synchrony between the parietal hemispheres which variably extended across frequencies. Additionally, for ASD subjects, increases in synchrony from the “low-attention” task to the “oddball” task were observed; whereas an opposite tendency occurred for controls. Furthermore, rates of fluctuation of phase differences showed more stable parietal synchrony within ASD across the hemispheric midline. Implications including the possibility of coordination as an indicator of ASD are discussed.

This thesis aimed to test the relationship between resident satisfaction and staff satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional design, administrators, staff and residents from 24 LTC homes were surveyed. Logistic regression models predicting high resident satisfaction were developed with a primary focus on the relationship to direct care staff satisfaction, while controlling for facility, staff and resident characteristics (and facility-level clustering). Regression models were developed for overall staff satisfaction and three other domains of job satisfaction. The odds of high overall resident satisfaction decreased by 27% and 31% for each 1-unit increase in overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with workload, respectively. In contrast, the odds of high overall resident satisfaction increased by 5.56 times for each 1-unit increase in mean staff satisfaction with work content. LTC homes may be able to improve staff and resident experiences concurrently by encouraging direct care staff to enter into meaningful relationships with residents.