Multisystem and Musculoskeletal Team

Our Focus

The Multisystem/Musculoskeletal research team at KITE Research Institute is a multidisciplinary team committed to prevention and recovery of injury, illness, pain, or other medically complex conditions. Methodologies and research specialties include: biomechanical analyses of human movement, biomedical engineering, physical medicine and rehabilitation, implementation science, clinical epidemiology, and kinesiology. Our research scope includes: people with disabilities, trauma, post-surgery, transplant, post-ICU, long-covid, cancer rehabilitation, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, low-back pain, myofascial pain and arthritis. We are focused on developing solutions to support clinical care, ease demand on the healthcare system, and assist independent living.

Our Goals

To prevent injury, support recovery following injury or illness, and help individuals regain function and independence.

Ongoing Studies

  • Improving accessibility standards for people with disabilities
  • Preventing falls through improved environmental design
  • Understanding balance recovery mechanisms following perturbations in challenging environments
  • Dissemination and Implementation of clinical practice guidelines
  • Employ implementation science methodology to advance healthcare in primary care (Project ECHO), and use of creative and innovative methods to patient education
  • Determining the predictive value of patient pain phenotypes to patient outcomes after total knee replacement surgery

Upcoming Events

September 23, Noon, Hybrid - UC 2nd floor auditorium and zoom; link to register

Recent Publications Highlights

  • Rand, M., Pelchat, J., Levine, I. C., Montgomery, R. E., Greene, R. M., King, E. C., ... & Novak, A. C. (2024). Efficacy of Installation of Temporary Bathing Transfer Aids by Older Adults. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 10, 23337214241237119.
  • Gosine, P., Komisar, V., & Novak, A. C. (2024). The effect of handrail cross-sectional design and age on the speed and quality of reach-to-grasp reactions to recover balance. Human factors, 66(1), 56-70.
  • Collins, M., Levine, I. C., Gosine, P. C., Montgomery, R. E., Nirmalanathan, K., & Novak, A. C. (2024). A comparison of minimum segment models for the estimation of centre of mass position and velocity for slip recovery during a bathtub transfer task. Gait & Posture, 109, 153-157.
  • Greene, R., Levine, I. C., Guay, M., & Novak, A. C. (2023). Biomechanical Demands and User Preference Associated with Wall-Mounted and Rim-Mounted Grab Bars. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 00084174231186066.
  • Levine, I. C., Montgomery, R. E., & Novak, A. C. (2023). Grab bar use influences fall hazard during bathtub exit. Human factors, 65(8), 1821-1829.
  • Komisar, V., & Novak, A. C. (2023). Effect of handrail height and age on trunk and shoulder kinematics following perturbation-evoked grasping reactions during gait. Human factors, 65(2), 200-211.

Team Leads

Alison Novak

Lead

Andrea Furlan

Associate Lead

Lindy Romanovsky

Clinical Lead

Scientist Members

David Langelier

Dinesh Kumbhare

Karl F. Zabjek

Luc Tremblay

Steven Dilkas

Veronica Wadey

Trainee Members

Monika Kataria