Research

ReBEL Research

Welcome to the ReBEL lab, where we are dedicated to advancing the field through cutting-edge studies, innovative interventions, and the pursuit of improved quality of life for individuals on their journey to recovery and well-being.

Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke survivors often encounter physical and cognitive impairments that impact their functional independence and overall quality of life. Our lab is designing and implementing a stroke-specific yoga program for use across Nova Scotia. By harnessing the mind-body connection of yoga, this approach seeks to enhance walking, balance, and mental health in stroke survivors.

Our team is also developing a virtual reality rehabilitation game for use with an omnidirectional treadmill (a treadmill that allows the user to move in 360 degrees). We will conduct a pilot randomized trial investigating the feasibility and effectiveness of virtual reality training on the omnidirectional treadmill for chronic stroke survivors. Through these research projects, we hope to pave the way for more effective and engaging stroke rehabilitation practices.

HIV Rehabilitation

Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy, many people with HIV continue to face various physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges that can significantly impact their daily lives. Many people living with HIV experience an atypical aging process. At ReBEL, we are interested in studying the rehabilitation needs of people living with HIV in order to develop comprehensive strategies to improve the overall quality of life and functional outcomes for these individuals. By examining the multifaceted needs of this population, we will identify evidence-based rehabilitation interventions tailored to address HIV-related deficits. Through collaborative efforts with healthcare providers and community organizations, we aim to optimize rehabilitation programs and promote holistic well-being for people living with HIV.

Our Research Partners

ReBEL Publications

  1. Quigley A, Brouillette MJ, Fellows L, Mayo N. (2024). Use of the Patient Generated Index to Identify Physical Health Challenges among People Living with HIV: A Cross-sectional Study. Physiotherapy Canada, e20230054.

  1. O’Brien KK, Ibáñez-Carrasco F, Solomon P, Chan Carusone S, Stewart A, Bayoumi AM, Brown DA, Quigley A, Ahluwalia P, Erlandson KM, Vera JH, Bergin C, Hanna SE, Swinton M, Torres B, McDuff K, Da Silva G, Bradford G, Islam S, Price C, Lindsay JD, Murray C, McClellan N, Krizmancic K, Anand P, Yates T, Baltzer Turje R, McDougall P, Maksimcev V, Harding R. Short-Form HIV Disability Questionnaire Sensibility, Utility and Implementation Considerations in Community-Based Settings: A Mixed Methods Study. Journal of the International Association of Providers in AIDS Care (JIAPAC). Accepted
  2. McArthur C, Duhaime G, Gonzalez D, Theou O, Kehler S, Quigley A. (2023) Older adults, clinicians, and researchers’ preferences for measuring adherence to strength and balance exercises. BMC Geriatrics. 23(530).
  3. Quigley A, Myezwa H and McArthur C (2023) Editorial: Equity, diversity, and inclusion in rehabilitation sciences. Front. Rehabil. Sci. 4:1334054.

  1. McArthur C, Alizadehsaravi N, Quigley A, Affoo R, Earl M, Moody E. 2022. A scoping review of methods for engaging long-term care residents with dementia in research and guideline development. BMJ Open.(Accepted)
  2. Quigley A, Kaur N, Askari S, Mayo N. 2022. How much does presenteeism change in response to interventions or alterations in health status? A systematic review and meta-analysis using the COSMIN methodology. Journal of occupational rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-022-10082-3

  1. McArthur C, Quigley A, Affoo R, Earl M, Moody E. 2021. Protocol for a scoping review on the methods for engaging long-term care residents with dementia in research and guideline development. BMJ Open;11:e051602. https://doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051602
  2. Quigley A, Brouillette MJ, Fellows L, Mayo N. 2021. Action for Better Brain Health Among People Living with HIV: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. BMC Infectious Diseases. 21:843. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06540-7

  1. Quigley A, Brouillette MJ, Gahagan J, O’Brien KK, MacKay-Lyons M. 2020. ‘The Feasibility and Impact of a Yoga Intervention on Cognition, Physical Function, Physical Activity, and Affective Outcomes Among People Living with HIV: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial’. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care. Volume 19: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325958220935698
  2. O’Brien KK, Ibanez-Carrasco F, Solomon P, Harding R, Brown D, Ahluwalia P, Carusone SC, Baxter L, Emlet C, Restall G, Casey A, Ahluwalia A, Quigley A, Terpstra A, Ononiwu N. 2020. ‘Research priorities for rehabilitation and aging with HIV: a framework from the Canada-International HIV and Rehabilitation Research Collaborative (CIHRRC)’. AIDS Research and Therapy, 17(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-020-00280-5
  3. Quigley A, MacKay-Lyons M, Eskes G. 2020. ‘Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Narrative Review of the Evidence, Possible Mechanisms, and Recommendations for Exercise Prescription’. Journal of Aging Research. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1407896

  1. Quigley A, MacKay-Lyons M. 2019. ‘Physical deficits among people living with HIV: A review of the literature and implications for rehabilitation’. Physical Therapy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2019.1701763
  2. Quigley A, O’Brien KK, Brouillette MJ, MacKay-Lyons M. 2019. ‘Evaluating the Impact and Feasibility of a Yoga Intervention on Cognition and Balance in People Living with HIV: Protocol for a Randomized Pilot Trial’. JMIR Research Protocols 8 (5). https://doi.org/10.2196/13818

  1. Quigley A, Baxter L, Keeler L, MacKay-Lyons M. 2018. ‘Using the Theoretical Domains Framework to Identify Barriers and Facilitators to Exercise Among Older Adults Living with HIV’. AIDS Care. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2018.1499860
  2. Quigley A, O’Brien KK, Parker R, MacKay-Lyons M. 2018. ‘Exercise and Cognitive Function in People Living with HIV: A Scoping Review’. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1432079

ReBEL

Going against the grain to change the brain