Research Priorities on HIV, Aging and Rehabilitation – Open Access Publication from the 5th CIHRRC International Forum on HIV and Rehabilitation Research

Posted on 2023-12-09

On May 20, 2023, 35 stakeholders including people living with HIV, researchers, clinicians, educators and representatives from community organization came together to exchange research evidence and identify research priorities in HIV, aging and rehabilitation.  This publication builds on the Framework of Research Priorities in HIV, Aging and Rehabilitation.

Click here for the open access article online.
Click here for the pdf version of the article.

14th International Workshop on HIV & Aging 2023

Posted on 2023-09-11

The 14th International Workshop on HIV & Aging will take place in Washington DC, United States from 26-27 October, 2023. This will be a hybrid workshop. See more information, including information on scholarships, check out the conference website here!

Workshop Date: 26-27 October 2023
Location: Washington DC, United States
Format: Hybrid
Registration (Standard Fee Deadline: 22 October): http://bit.ly/3qU9LpA
Website: https://academicmedicaleducation.com/meeting/international-workshop-hiv-aging-2023

14th International Workshop on HIV & Aging 2023

The 14th International Workshop on HIV & Aging will take place in Washington DC, United States from 26-27 October, 2023. This will be a hybrid workshop. See more information, including information on scholarships, check out the conference website here!

Workshop Date: 26-27 October 2023
Abstract Submission Deadline – August 4, 2023 –  https://academicmedicaleducation.com/meeting/international-workshop-hiv-aging-2023
Registration (Early Registration Fee Deadline) – July 26, 2023 – http://bit.ly/3qU9LpA
Format: Hybrid – Washington, DC, United States and Online

Registration: https://bit.ly/3QxpaEH

Participants Needed: Partnered Rehabilitation E-Survey – A Research Study Examining the Evaluation of Partnered Rehabilitation research between Researchers and Knowledge Users

Posted on 2023-07-26

My name is Brenda Tittlemier. I am a physiotherapist and PhD candidate at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB, Canada. I am conducting an e-survey as part of my PhD to determine if partnered rehabilitation research is evaluated, describe how it is evaluated, and identify and describe the perceived effects of partnered rehabilitation research. For my survey, I define partnered rehabilitation as a collaboration between researchers and knowledge users, i.e., intended users of research, throughout the rehabilitation research process.

I am currently recruiting participants! If you are a researcher or a knowledge user involved in rehabilitation research, you could be eligible to participate in my e-survey.

To determine your eligibility and for more information on my survey, please click on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2LXYH8X

Survey closes in six weeks on September 4^th, 2023.

Thank you!
Brenda Tittlemier (she/her)
umtittle@myumanitoba.ca
PhD Candidate, MSc, BMR (PT)
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB Canada

New Publication! Factors Influencing Early Implementation of an online community-based exercise intervention with adults living with HIV

Posted on 2023-07-26

Congratulations to Dr. Tizneem Jiancaro on the recent publication from her postdoctoral research examining the implementation of an online tele-coaching community-based exercise intervention with adults living with HIV.  This study was done in collaboration with the Toronto YMCA and involved online semi-structured interviews with adults living with HIV in Toronto, Canada to explore factors that influenced the early implementation phase of online forms of community-based exercise.

The article is openly accessible here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2023.1176960/full

New Publication: Experiences engaging in exercise from the perspectives of women living with HIV

Posted on 2023-06-27

Congratulations to Nora Sahel-Gozin on the recent publication of her MSc thesis in PLOS ONE!

Nora completed online semi-structured interviews with women living with HIV in Toronto, Canada to explore experiences engaging in exercise, specifically, i) nature and extent of exercise, ii) components that characterize exercise experiences, iii) facilitators and barriers, and iv) strategies for uptake and sustainability of exercise.

The article is openly accessible here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0286542.

We encourage you to take a look at the findings from this excellent work!

 

5th CIHRRC International Forum on HIV and Rehabilitation – University of Manchester – May 20, 2023

Posted on 2023-05-15

The 5th International Forum on HIV and Rehabilitation Research: Ageing with HIV in an Uncertain World is quickly approaching!

Link to Online Program:  https://bit.ly/3zeDWZG

Online Survey Opportunity – Healthy Sexuality and HIV/STBBI Prevention: Building Carer Capacity

Posted on 2023-05-04

Realize is a national charitable organization (www.realizecanada.org) which fosters well-being among people living with HIV and other episodic disabilities in Canada through research, education, policy and practice.

Realize is currently conducting a survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BCC-HIV) to gather information on respondents’ knowledge, comfort level, skills and previous training related to HIV, sexuality, disability and aging. They are looking to engage students and future or practicing healthcare and/or social service providers. Responses will be used to develop and update Realize’s educational tools and trainings.

The Healthy Sexuality and HIV/STBBI Prevention: Building Carer Capacity survey takes only 10 minutes to complete but responses will go a long way in helping Realize ensure equitable access to HIV and sexual health supports. Survey participants can opt to be entered into a draw for a $100 e-gift card of their choosing!

Please share this information about the survey widely (e.g., e-newsletters, websites, social media, forwarding to colleagues). A promotional flyer is also included below.  If you post to social media, please also consider tagging Realize – @HIVandRehab.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kate Murzin at kmurzin@realizecanada.org.

REMINDER and UPDATED PROGRAM – 5th CIHRRC International Forum on HIV and Rehabilitation – Manchester, UK – May 20, 2023

Posted on 2023-04-01

Our 5th International Forum on HIV and Rehabilitation Research: Ageing with HIV in an Uncertain World is quickly approaching!

Join us in-person on May 20, 2023 at the University of Manchester to learn about rehabilitation-focused research in HIV and ageing. Please see revised Program at a Glance below for event details, including our spectacular line-up of expert speakers and the topics to be covered.

   

The Forum is open to community members living with HIV, researchers, clinicians, students and trainees, with an interest in HIV, ageing and rehabilitation.

Registration is FREE and lunch is provided to all attendees.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ageing-with-hiv-in-an-uncertain-world-tickets-514325209547, or scan the QR code on the poster below.

If you have any questions about the Forum or registration, please don’t hesitate to contact cihrrc@utoronto.ca, graeme.donald@manchester.ac.uk, or kelly.birtwell@manchester.ac.uk.

Please share the event info with your contacts as well!

MScPT Student Research Published! Wireless physical activity monitor use among adults living with HIV

Posted on 2023-02-16; Updated 2023-07-26

A group of University of Toronto Master of Science in Physical Therapy students recently examined the extent of wireless physical activity monitor (WPAM) use among adults living with HIV engaged in a community-based exercise intervention study. As part of this project, the students also examined associations between WPAM use and various contextual factors, described physical activity level as measured by a WPAM and a self-reported physical activity questionnaire, and explored associations between these two measures of physical activity among adults living with HIV.

Click here to access the openly acccessible article in BMJ Open: *Turner JR, *Chow J, *Cheng J, *Hassanali F, *Sevigny H, *Sperduti M, Chan Carusone S, Dagenais M, O’Brien KK. Wireless physical activity monitor use among adults living with HIV in a community-based exercise intervention study: a quantitative longitudinal observational study.  BMJ Open. April 5, 2023.  https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e068754.full

We also encourage you to access the PDF poster fact sheet.

Congratulations to the graduates on their hard work!

 

5th CIHRRC International Forum on HIV and Rehabilitation – Manchester, UK – May 20, 2023

Posted on 2023-01-16

The 5th International Forum on HIV and Rehabilitation Research: Ageing with HIV in an Uncertain World will be held in Manchester, United Kingdom (In-Person) on Saturday May 20, 2023 at the University of Manchester, Jean McFarlane Building (Rm G306) from 830-500pm.

   

Building on the success of past CIHRRC Forums, this event will include a dynamic agenda with Dr. Patty Solomon as Keynote Speaker.

Dr. Patty Solomon, Professor Emeritus, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario Canada

Rehabilitation and HIV – Can the Past Inform the Future? 

An award-winning educator and researcher, Dr. Solomon is among the first rehabilitation scientists to develop a research program focussing on HIV, disability and the role of rehabilitation.  A founding member of CIHRRC, she has been on the Board of Directors of two HIV Community Service Organizations and also collaborated with a team to examine HIV and disability in a global context.

Please refer to Program at a Glance below for additional event speaker topics.

PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE

Who can Attend?

The Forum is open to community members living with HIV, researchers, clinicians, students and trainees, with an interest in HIV, ageing and rehabilitation. Please share the event info with your contacts!

Forum Registration

Please click here or scan QR code on poster below to register online for the Forum (£25). A light breakfast and lunch are included with registration. Registration fees are waived for community members living with HIV. If you are interested in one of these free tickets, please email graeme.donald@manchester.ac.uk or kelly.birtwell@manchester.ac.uk.

LINK TO REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ageing-with-hiv-in-an-uncertain-world-tickets-514325209547

Acknowledgements: This Forum is funded by a University of Manchester-University of Toronto partnership grant. We also acknowledge support from the Canada-International HIV and Rehabilitation Research Collaborative (CIHRRC), Rehabilitation in HIV Association (RHIVA), and Gay Men’s Health Collective (GMHC) (filming).

         

 

 

New Publication – Perceptions of physical activity and exercise among older adults living with HIV

Posted on 2023-01-02

Congratulations to CIHRRC members, Levin Chetty, Saul Cobbing and Verusia Chetty, on their recent publication in AIDS Research and Therapy. Their study used in-depth semi-structured interviews to explore the perceptions of older people living with HIV about physical activity and exercise, and highlighted the factors that hinder adherence to physical activity and exercise in this population. Many study participants indicated that they would love to engage in structured physical activity programmes, but did not know where, when or how to begin. The research team concluded that creating a suitable environment with proper supervision and instruction by suitably qualified health professionals are essential when developing a community-based exercise programme for older people living with HIV.

If interested in learning more, we encourage you to access the open access publication here.

Canadian HIV/AIDS and Chronic Pain Society Opens its Doors – December 1, 2022

Posted on 2022-12-12

On December 1, 2022, the Canadian HIV/AIDS and Chronic Pain Society officially opened its doors! The Canadian HIV/AIDS and Chronic Pain Society will collaborate with persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), populations at risk, AIDS Service organizations, peer and frontline workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, government, and multi-level stakeholders to improve knowledge and access to HIV and comorbidity pain treatment, care, and support in Canada. The group will also advocate for research funding, partnerships, and government assistance for chronic pain and HIV research.

The Canadian HIV/AIDS and Chronic Pain Society is a diverse Board of Directors, 8 out of 9 with lived experience of chronic pain and HIV, and all HIV+, experienced advocates and community-based researchers: Michael Parsons, Guy-Henri Godin, Shelly Tognazzini, Brenda Gagnier, Adrian Betts, Richard Baker, Donald Turner, Christian Hui, and Colleen Price.

Chronic Pain and HIV is a silent epidemic, having bio-psychosocial impacts. It is an invisible disability, and it can be detrimental to health-related quality of life, medication adherence and mental health and wellness.

We do not know the number of people living with HIV impacted by chronic pain in Canada. There is no epi-data, no dedicated research funding, and a very dire lack of services, programs, guidelines, and policies regarding our pain treatment, care, and support. It is estimated that over half of PLWH suffer from chronic pain in their lifetime, and this prevalence increases to 83% in some populations (Parker, R. et al. & Madden, V. et al.).

Now Available: September HIV in Motion Community of Practice Presentation Recording

Posted on 2022-12-01

The 8th HIV in Motion Community of Practice (CoP) session took place on September 13, 2022. At this session, Nora Sahel-Gozin, CIHRRC member and MSc graduate from the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, presented on her research that involved interviews with women living with HIV about their experiences with exercise, body image, cultural expectations, stigma, seeking a gym buddy, and staying active. The CoP also included a roundtable discussion with community members, clinicians and researchers on HIV and exercise.

In case you missed it, the session recording is now available here or on the HIV in Motion video library (along with previous CoP session recordings).

Frailty and frailty screening: A qualitative study to elicit perspectives of people living with HIV and their healthcare professionals

Natalie St. Clair-Sullivan and colleagues, including CIHRRC members Jaime Vera and Richard Harding, published a qualitative study on perspectives of people with HIV and their healthcare professionals on frailty and frailty screening. “Frailty was described as a series of losses around mobility, social inclusion, independence and mental acuity, which could happen at any age.” Read the article here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/hiv.13419

Exploring Experiences Engaging in Exercise from the Perspectives of Women Living with HIV: a Qualitative Study

Nora Sahel-Gozin, a graduate of the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, conducted interviews to explore the experiences engaging in exercise from the perspectives of women living with HIV. Check out her poster here:

https://cihrrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Nora-Poster-CIHRRC-Website.jpg

HIV & Aging Workshop

The 13th International Workshop on HIV & Aging will take place online from 13-14 October, 2022. See more information, including information on scholarships, check out the conference website here! The deadline to apply for a scholarship is October 6th, 2022.

Workshop Date: 13-14 October 2022

Format: Virtual

Registration: https://bit.ly/3QxpaEH

HIV in Motion Launches a New Website!

Posted on September 13, 2022

HIV In Motion Launches a New Website. Click here to access: https://hivinmotion.ca.

HIV in Motion is a Community of Practice (CoP) that provides a dynamic space for stakeholders to learn, exchange ideas, promote dissemination in academic and community ways, promote uptake and evaluation of learning and results about movement, physical activity, and exercise for persons living with HIV among, and with, people living with HIV.

Visit HIV in Motion for access to a wealth of information on all things related to HIV, physical activity and exercise. The site hosts a video library of speaker sessions and podcasts and updates on the HIV in Motion Research Study.

CIHRRC is a founding partner and collaborator of HIV in Motion.

Special thanks to Gay Men’s Health Collective for leading the website re-development!

Click here to access the new website: https://hivinmotion.ca. 

The HIV In Motion Study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research Program (FRN-170102).

Poz Women Exercise! A FREE online HIV in Motion event September 13, 2022

Posted on June 20, 2022

When: Tuesday, September 13, 2022 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM EDT

Register: Click here

Keynote speaker: Nora Sahel-Gozin

Nora will present her research which involved interviews with women living with HIV about their experiences with exercise, body image, cultural expectations, stigma, seeking a gym buddy, and staying active.

HIV in Motion is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research Program (FRN-170102).

International Workshop on HIV and Aging – October 13-14 2022

Posted on June 20, 2022

The 13th International Workshop on HIV & Aging will take place online from 13-14 October, 2022. See more information, including information on abstract submission process, check out the conference website here, or view the International Workshop on HIV & Aging Flyer! Abstracts are due by 22 July, 2022 at 23:59 EDT.

 

HIV Recent Publication: “Prevalence, severity, and risk factors of disability among adults living with HIV accessing routine outpatient HIV care in London, United Kingdom (UK): A cross-sectional self-report study”

Posted on May 13, 2022

Congratulations to the dedicated research team on their new publication on the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of disability among adults living with HIV in an outpatient setting in London, UK.

The article is accessible at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0267271

Congratulations to the research team for all their efforts and contributions to this research!

 

HIV in Motion Community of Practice – Love it or leave it (in a drawer): what the evidence has to say about Fitbits and other Wireless Physical Activity Monitors – Upcoming session on May 17th from 12-2pm EDT.

On May 17th, 2022 from 12-2pm EDT the HIV in Motion Community of Practice will be hosting an online webinar as a part of the HIV in Motion Community of Practice Quarterly Series. The presenters will be discussing the pros and cons of Fitbits and other Wireless Physical Activity Monitors.

Keynote speaker: Tizneem Jiancaro (PhD) – Department of PT, University of Toronto

Panel:

• Recent Fitbit users/study participants
• Tizneem Jiancaro
• Helen Trent (coach at YMCA of Greater Toronto)
• Darren Brown (PT, PhD) – Kobler Rehabilitation Class, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust

Balance demonstration: by Helen Trent

Link to register: https://bit.ly/RegisterHIMfeb17-2022

Acknowledgements

This session is organized by the HIV in Motion Community of Practice.
Sponsored by: Canadian Association for HIV Research and Canadian Association for Global Health. The HIV in Motion Research Study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

 

Recent Publication: “Considerations for developing and implementing an online community-based exercise intervention with adults living with HIV: a qualitative study”

Posted on 2022-04-17

A group of MScPT students at the University of Toronto published results of a qualitative study examining the need for, and utility of online community-based exercise (CBE) interventions with adults living with HIV and identify factors to consider in developing and implementing an online CBE intervention with adults living with HIV.

The article is openly accessible at:  Considerations for developing and implementing an online community-based exercise intervention with adults living with HIV: a qualitative study

The PDF can be directly accessed at:  https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/12/4/e059294.full.pdf

Congratulations to the research team for all their efforts and contributions to this research!

HIV in Motion Community of Practice Webinar Session – Exercising Together – Team-Based Physical Exercise and HIV  – February 8, 2022 –  Links to Access Speakers and Sessions

Posted on 2022-04-17

On February 8, 2022 the HIV in Motion Community of Practice hosted an online webinar as a part of the HIV in Motion Community of Practice Quarterly Series. 

The aim of this session was to discuss the evidence and experiences with team-based / group-based / peer-based forms of physical activity in the context of HIV.  This session included a dynamic panel discussion with physiotherapists, fitness personnel and community members living with HIV from Canada, United Kingdom and United States who discussed the evidence and experiences with peer-, group- and team-based forms of exercise and physical activity.

Keynote Speaker: Natalie St. Clair-Sullivan – Physiotherapist, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital, United Kingdom. Lead Physiotherapist for the Kings Cross Steelers Rugby Club (UK)

Click here to access:

• Keynote session with Natalie St. Clair-Sullivan – Evidence on Team / Group-Based Exercise in HIV:  http://bit.ly/GroupSportsHIM
• HIV in Motion Stretching Demonstration Video. https://bit.ly/YMCAannamariaSTRETCHING

Acknowledgements

This session was organized by the HIV in Motion Community of Practice.
Sponsored by: Canadian Association for HIV Research and Canadian Association for Global Health. The HIV in Motion Research Study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

 

New Publication: “Validity of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) Among Adults Living with HIV” 

Posted on 2021-12-11

Congratulations to the dedicated research team on their new publication looking at the construct validity and responsiveness of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) for measuring physical activity (PA) in adults living with HIV.

See below for publication details and link to open-access article:

Noguchi, K. S., O’Brien, K. K., Aubry, R. L., Carusone, S. C., Avery, L., Solomon, P., Ilic, I., Pandovski, Z., Zobeiry, M., & Tang, A. (2021, 2021/12/01/). Construct Validity and Responsiveness of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity in Adults Living With HIV. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 3(4), 100164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2021.100164

 

Recent Publication: “Disability and self-care living strategies among adults living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic”

Posted on 2021-11-22

We encourage you to check out this new open access publication in AIDS Research and Therapy, which provides an understanding of disability and self-care strategy use among adults living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article can be accessed at: https://aidsrestherapy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12981-021-00413-4.

The PDF can be directly accessed at: https://rdcu.be/cBGbg.

Congratulations to the research team for all their efforts and contributions to this research!

 

Upcoming HIV in Motion Community of Practice Session – November 2, 2021

Posted on 2021-10-23

The final HIV in Motion Community of Practice (CoP) session of 2021 is quickly approaching! On November 2 at 12-2PM EDT, a fabulous group of speakers will be discussing “Mindfulness, Physical Exercise & HIV”. Speakers include:

• HIV in Motion Ambassador: Glen Bradford (Manager Peer Navigation Services, AIDS Vancouver)
• Community Based Support: Weam Charafeddine (ASAAP member)
• Dr. Graeme Donald (Lecturer in Nursing, University of Manchester, UK)
• Dr. Kelly Birtwell (Primary Care Research, University of Manchester, UK)

REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/HIVinMOTIONcOpNov2_2021

The HIV in Motion CoP sessions take place quarterly and welcomes persons living with HIV, community leaders, academics, students, researchers, and practitioners, both clinical and organizations interested in physical activity and exercise. You can join to listen in, to share your work and views, and to support others.

For more information or to join HIV in Motion, contact our Engagement Coordinator, George Da Silva at george.dasilva@utoronto.ca.  Also, feel free to check the HIV in Motion website: http://bit.ly/HIVinMOTIONsite.

We hope to see you on November 2!

 

Final Webinar in The CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN) Chronic Pain and HIV: Research, Capacity Building and Knowledge Translation Webinar Series

Posted on 2021-10-13

CIHRRC is looking forward to the third and final webinar in The CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN) Chronic Pain and HIV: Research, Capacity Building and Knowledge Translation Webinar Series.

This webinar series explores the bio-psychosocial impacts of chronic pain among people living with HIV, and topics such as measurements, pain management, and wellness. People living with HIV, researchers, and chronic pain experts facilitate sessions designed to train researchers and community members to foster new research questions, priorities, and projects on chronic pain and HIV in Canada. A large proportion of people living with HIV also live with chronic pain. There is a great need for research in the field. In addition to raising awareness and sharing knowledge on chronic pain among people living with HIV, the goal of the webinar series is to advance this research agenda within the CTN and in Canada; to attract researchers, trainees, and community members to the field; and to promote the creation of new, diverse research teams. Interested individuals may join research subcommittees post webinar.

The third webinar of the series focuses on physiotherapy and models of care. Carolann Murray, Dr. Kelly O’Brien and Kyle Vader will present “Episodic Disability, Chronic Pain, and Physiotherapy: Advancing Models of HIV Care” on October 28, 2021 at 11am-1pm PT/ 2-4pm ET. 

The webinar is free and registration can be completed at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/178863033147

If you have any questions, ideas or concerns, please contact Mina Kazemi at mina.kazemi@wchospital.ca

 

Webinar Speaker Bios: 

Carolann Murray, PT, Casey House, Toronto, Ontario

Carolann has been working as a registered physiotherapist for over 32 years in rehabilitation with complex populations. She has practiced in a multitude of clinical settings including: acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, community clinics and private practice. Carolann has worked in Canada and New Zealand. For the last three years she have been the physiotherapist for the day health program at Casey House Hospital. Casey House, located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, provides inpatient and outpatient care for people living with HIV. Carolann works collaboratively with a large inter-disciplinary outpatient team including nurses, registered massage therapists, recreational therapists and social workers. Carolann sees clients on a one-to-one basis and she has designed and implemented an exercise class, now running virtually, in collaboration her physiotherapy colleague. In addition to the exercise classes Carolann started a Nordic pole walking group. Their newest program is an online chronic pain management module.

Carolann is involved in several research projects touching upon various topics including: the role of physiotherapy for people living with HIV in a community based setting, clients’ experiences with the exercise class at Casey House and the evaluation of a patient reported outcome measure the HIV Disability Questionnaire. The focus of Carolann’s practice is to help people living with HIV improve their quality of life through movement and exercise. Carolann recognizes that physical activity and exercise have a positive impact on physical health, mental health and helps decrease social isolation.

Kyle Vader, PT, PhD Candidate

Kyle Vader is a physiotherapist in an interprofessional chronic pain clinic at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and a PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Science at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. His research focuses on improving the quality of care and health outcomes of people living with chronic muscle, bone, and joint pain. He holds multiple leadership positions, including as Institute Advisory Board member for the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Kelly O’Brien, PhD, PT

Kelly is a physiotherapist and Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Episodic Disability and Rehabilitation. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, at the University of Toronto. Kelly’s research is focused in the area of episodic disability, chronic disease and rehabilitation, specifically characterizing the episodic nature of disability experienced by people aging with chronic disease, and examining the implementation of community-based rehabilitation interventions to improve health outcomes for people living with chronic disease. Kelly co-founded the Canada-International HIV and Rehabilitation Research Collaborative (CIHRRC) (https://cihrrc.ca), an international network of over 100 stakeholders with an interest in addressing research priorities and translating evidence in HIV and rehabilitation research.

Kelly, Kyle and Carolann are collaborating on various research projects involving HIV and rehabilitation.

 

New Publication – “Examining the impact of a community-based exercise intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility and physical activity among adults living with HIV: A three-phased intervention study”

Posted on 2021-09-27

 

Registration Open for the 3rd Canadian HIV & Aging Symposium and Community UnConference – HIV and Aging WELL: WE Live & Learn Together

Posted on 2021-09-16

 

Upcoming Online HIV in Motion Community of Practice Session on HIV, Cognition & Exercise

Posted on 2021-09-04

CIHRRC is proud to promote the upcoming online HIV in Motion Community of Practice (CoP) session with a focus on HIV, Cognition & Exercise, which is taking place on September 14^th, 2021 from 12-2pm EDT. Registration is available at: https://forms.office.com/r/gAcqnXjpJS.

The great group of panelists for this session include:

• • Dr. Jaime Vera, Assistant Professor in HIV Medicine at the Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School;
  • Dr. Adria Quigley, McGill University, Gilead/CTN Postdoctoral Fellow and Yoga Guru; and
  • Heads Up, Community Based expert

The HIV in Motion CoP is open to people living with HIV, academics, students, researchers, and practitioners, both clinical and organizations interested in physical activity and exercise.

If you missed any of the previous CoP sessions, which are hosted up to four times a year, you can listen to the Podcasts by clicking on ‘Event Recordings 2020-2021’ on our main website: http://bit.ly/HIVinMOTIONsite. We look forward to seeing you on September 14^th!

 

CIHRRC endorsing Workshop on Healthy Aging with HIV!

Posted on 2021-06-28

CIHRRC is proud to be endorsing the Workshop on Healthy Living with HIV 2021 organized by the Virology Education and the European AIDS Treatment Group.

This annual workshop is designed to build a community of HIV-treating expert care providers focusing on promoting a full and healthy life for all patients. Concentrating not only on viral suppression like most other HIV conferences, this meeting encourages clinical and community settings where all treatment decisions are considered to optimize health for PLWH throughout their lifetime.

Join this program from 1-2 October 2021 and contribute towards building a community of HIV-treating expert clinicians focusing on promoting a full and healthy life for all PLWH! The Abstract submission is now open and the deadline is August 30 2021.

To register for the Workshop on Healthy Living with HIV or to submit an abstract to the workshop, please visit: https://academicmedicaleducation.com/healthy-living-hiv-2021 .

 

New CIHRRC E-Update Spring 2021 – Launched!

Posted on 2021-06-14

The 12th International Workshop on HIV and Aging will be held virtually on September 23 and 24, 2021. This workshop will be an opportunity to present and discuss the latest biological knowledge and strategies that may improve the future of people aging with HIV.

If you would like to submit an abstract, the abstract deadline is Friday June 25, 2021.  The workshop accepts abstracts that have been presented at previous conferences.  Information about abstract submission can be found here: https://academicmedicaleducation.com/hiv-aging-2021?tab=4

New CIHRRC E-Update Spring 2021 – Launched!

Posted on 2021-05-14

CIHRRC is pleased to launch our most recent Spring 2021 E-Update! A lot has happened over the past year and we are excited to share all the work CIHRRC members have been doing!

This Spring 2021 E-Update introduces the new CIHRRC members, and features the latest research, updates and knowledge translation events. Browse our Spring 2021 E-Update here: CIHRRC-E-Update_Spring-2021-FINAL-CIRCULATED-REVISED-May-13-2021.

Strengths and Challenges of Implementing Physiotherapy in an HIV Community-Based Care Setting – Published!

Posted on 2020-03-31

Congrats to Kyle Vader (PhD Candidate, Physiotherapist and CIHRRC Member) and the co-authorship team on their recent publication “Strengths and Challenges of Implementing Physiotherapy in an HIV Community-Based Care Setting: A Qualitative Study of Perspectives of People Living with HIV and Healthcare Providers” in the Journal of International Association of Providers of AIDS Care. 

This research describes the strengths and challenges of implementing a physiotherapy program at a interprofessional HIV day health program in Toronto, Canada. Click here to check out the open access publication: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2325958221100562

CIHRRC Launches a New Website!

Posted on 2020-03-16

Canada-International HIV and Rehabilitation Research Collaborative (CIHRRC) Launches a New Website. Click here to access: https://cihrrc.ca

CIHRRC is an international research collaborative that includes people living with HIV, researchers, clinicians, representatives from community-based HIV service organizations, and policy stakeholders with an interest in HIV and rehabilitation research. The Collaborative was established in 2009 as a partnership among researchers, clinicians, community members and organizations in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK), originally referred to as the Canada-United Kingdom (UK) HIV and Rehabilitation Research collaborative (CUHRRC).

Since its inception, the Collaborative has expanded to include over 100 members from countries whereby individuals living with HIV experience similar types of issues related to disability and rehabilitation.
The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto, is a founding partner and collaborator of CIHRRC and the CIHRRC International Forums on HIV and Rehabilitation Research.

Special thanks to Gay Men’s Health Collective for leading the website re-development!

Click here to access the new website: https://cihrrc.ca

For more details on the evolution of CIHRRC as an international research collaborative, see the following: O’Brien KK, Solomon P, Ibáñez-Carrasco F, Chegwidden W, McDonnell E, Brown D, Harding R, Bergin C, Worthington C, Tattle S, Baxter L. Evolution of an international research collaborative in HIV and rehabilitation: community engaged process, lessons learned, and recommendations. Progress in community health partnerships: research, education, and action. 2018;12(4):395-408.
For more information about CIHRRC, please contact: kelly.obrien@utoronto.ca.

Experiences of People Living with HIV in Community-Based Exercise: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study – Published!

Posted on 2020-03-01

We are pleased to announce the publication of a new Manuscript ‘Experiences of People Living with HIV in Community-Based Exercise: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study’ published in the Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care by CIHRRC Members Patty Solomon, Kelly O’Brien, Soo Chan Carusone, Aileen Davis and Rachel Aubry!

This manuscript is the first to come out of the CIHR Funded Community-Based Exercise (CBE) Study and highlights the strengths of a community exercise program such as ability to improve confidence and motivation through a personal fitness coach, as well as the concerns of implementing a CBE intervention including stigma and episodic health challenges with HIV.

See the open access manuscript here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2325958221995344