Inside the briefcase: Take a look

Exercise and arthritis survey attempts to identify barriers to participation

Exercise is a key strategy to help manage arthritis, but upwards of 75% of individuals with arthritis are either not exercising at all, or not exercising on a regular basis. Approximately two-thirds of people with arthritis are women. This survey is designed to help to determine the barriers that may or may not stop women with arthritis from participating in exercise. It is part one of a three part – three year study led by University of Saskatchewan Kinesiologist, Nancy Gyurcsik, PhD. Study parts two and three will examine how women with arthritis cope with identified barriers to exercise, and then determine what kind of exercise and/or education programs have the greatest positive impact on long-term exercise participation and health outcomes such as pain. Dr. Guyrcsik will make the results of the survey available to CAPA members in a later edition of Voices. For more study information contact study coordinator, Dan Fuller, at: tame@usask.ca. The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and should be completed in one sitting. Do not hit the browser back button! All participants and their answers will remain anonymous. (Link to survey: http://www.tamearthritis.net) Anne Dooley

$2.5 million research grant targets Spondyloarthritis

The Arthritis Society recently announced a $2.5 million grant to support an innovative Canadian research project aimed towards improving our understanding and management of the Spondyloarthritis (SpA) family of rheumatic diseases. Approximately 1 in 100 Canadians suffer from SpA. This project will focus on two diseases in this family, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis, which cause a significant burden of illness in this country. [More]

Mary Brachaniec is a regular contributor to CAPA Voices and a member of the KETF representing CAPA and The Arthritis Society. She lives in New Brunswick

Chronic pain profile on the rise
Update from the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis – Knowledge Exchange Task Force

The Knowledge Exchange Task Force (KETF) for the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) met in November 2005 and featured a presentation by Dr. Lynn Breau a CIHR Researcher and IWK Health Centre Complex Pain Team Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Breau explained that about 30% of Canadians suffer from chronic pain that, in many cases, is under treated. She stressed that multi-disciplinary pain clinics, which include Physiotherapy, Psychology and Physician services, provide the best care for chronic pain patients who have not responded to other treatments.

Dr. Jim Henry, IMHA Researcher and Director of the DeGroote Institute of Pain Research and Care at McMaster University, is developing a Community Based Research Project relating to chronic pain management and continues to engage the KETF as project plans proceed.

Dr. Cyril Frank, IMHA Scientific Director, facilitated discussions relating to Knowledge Translation (KT) models and best practices, along with considerations for future KETF activities. While our focus so far has been on chronic pain and its management, another IMHA key strategic priority - research relating to physical activity, mobility and health - may be included as the Task Force progresses. Mary Brachaniec