Upper Limb/Neck

Contact Information

Joy MacDermid

Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext: 22524
Fax: (905) 524-0069
Office: Rm.429, IAHS
Email: macderj@mcmaster.ca

Theme Researchers (more information about the theme researchers can be found by clicking on their names below)

Vickie Galea
Anita Gross
Joy MacDermid
Norma MacIntyre
Michael Pierrynowski
Jean Wessel
Linda Woodhouse

Upper Limb/Neck

This research theme addresses issues around physical impairment and disability arising from conditions that affect the upper limb and neck. Topics under investigation include development of improved methods of clinical assessment and treatment, as well as studies that identify predictors of disability. Study designs include lab-based studies of physical impairment, clinical trials, and cohort studies. A common focus across studies is measuring and understanding the biologic, personal, work, and environmental factors that contribute to development of pain and disability in the hand, arm, and neck, and identifying the most effective rehabilitative interventions to mitigate these problems. Research groups address neck pain from a biological approach (HaNSA) and through Cochrane reviews (COGS).

Current Projects

Neck Pain
1.1 delineation of clinical methods to assess neurologic changes (sensibility)
1.2 validation of outcome measures
1.3 relationships between biology and function
1.4 clinical trials (modalities and manual treatments)
1.5 prognosis for chronic pain and work loss
1.6 systematic reviews

2.0 Shoulder Disorders
2.1 delineation of clinical methods to assess strength and functional endurance
2.2 validation of outcome measures
2.3 relationships between biology and function
2.4 clinical trials (surgery/rehabilitation)
2.5 impact of waiting for surgery
2.6 prognosis of adverse work outcomes
2.7 systematic reviews

3.0 Elbow
3.1 delineation of clinical methods of pain and disability in tennis elbow, cubital tunnel and fractures
3.2 relationships between biology and function
3.3 clinical trials (surgery, rehab for tennis elbow)
3.4 prognosis for chronic pain and work loss
3.5 systematic reviews

4.0 Wrist/hand (fracture, nerve injury, carpal tunnel syndrome)
4.1 delineation of clinical methods to assess impairments, pain
4.2 validation of outcome measures
4.3 modeling physical, social, environmental contributors to post-fracture disability
4.4 clinical trials (surgery/rehabilitation)
4.5 systematic reviews
4.6 understanding physical impairment and disability in RA and OA
4.7 prevention of post-fracture risks of loss of independence

Research Products and Summaries

Example publications:

MacDermid, JC, Ghobrial M, Quirion KB, St-Amour M, Tsui T, Humphreys D, McCluskie J, Shewayhat E, Galea V. Validation of a new test that assesses functional performance of the upper extremity and neck (FIT- HaNSA ) in patients with shoulder pathology. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2007 May 17;8(1):42

MacDermid JC, Wessel J, Humphrey R, Ross D, Richards RS, Roth JH: Validity of self-report measures of pain and disability for persons who have undergone arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the hand. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Epub, 2006.

MacDermid JC, Holtby R, Razmjou H, Bryant D, JOINTS Canada. All-arthroscopic versus mini-open repair of small or moderate-sized rotator cuff tears: A protocol for a randomized trial [NCT00128076]. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2006, 7:25

MacDermid JC, Solomon P, Prkachin K: The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index demonstrates factor, construct and longitudinal validity. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2006, 10; 7(1):12.

Tools/Products:

FIT- HaNSA Protocol

Pain and Disability Scales and User Manuals:

Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) Measure

Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) Measure

Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) & Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) User Manual

Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE) Measure

Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE) User Manual

Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Measure

Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) User Manual

Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) Measure – German Version

Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE) Measure – German Version