AN INVESTIGATION FOR THE OPTIMAL TIMING OF A CLEFT PALATE REPAIR
Principal Investigator:
Co-investigators:
Collaborators:
David Fisher, MD
Simone Fischbach, SLP
Paula Klaiman, SLP
John Daskalogiannakis, DDS
Paolo Campisi, MD
Maggie Harkness, OT
Alison Miller, RN
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to determine the ideal time for a cleft palate repair, by
comparing the effectiveness of early cleft palate repair and SickKids routine cleft palate
repair. The information from this study will help your child’s surgeon and the Cleft Lip
and Palate team decide when children with isolated cleft palate should have a cleft
palate repair.
Research Start Date: June 2009
Expected End Date:
How this research makes a difference:
The outcome of this study will be added to the growing knowledge base for cleft palate
care. It is anticipated that the study will benefit future patients affected by cleft palate
in regards to feeding, speech and language development, as well as orthodontic
outcomes.
Number of Children Enrolled to Date: 36
How can I find out more about this project? Contact: Alison Miller 416 813-7492 ext. 4
COMPARISON OF TESTS OF SENSORY OUTCOME AFTER NERVE INJURY IN CHILDREN
Principal Investigator:
Co-investigators:
Collaborators:
Emily Ho, OT
Howard Clarke, MD
Greg Borschel, MD
Yumiko Hao, OT
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to establish a reliable protocol for evaluating the sensation
of the hand after a peripheral nerve injury in children. This study as two aims:
1) To see if tests that measure the feeling in the hand are able to get the same
results when the testing is repeated
2) To find out the relationship between feeling in the hand and the use of the hand
in children
Research Start Date: September 2012
Expected End Date: September 2014
How this research makes a difference:
Establishing the reliability of these tools will help the surgeons and therapists to better
assess the function of the nerve after injury. This will help families and children with
nerve injuries to understand how this type of injury affects the feeling and function of
the injured hand. This information is important in helping professionals to provide the
best education and treatment to help these children to do the best they can.
Number of Children Enrolled to Date: 1
How can I find out more about this project? Contact: Emily Ho, 416 813-8270
Grants Received
Ho, ES (2012) Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists Research Fund Occupational
Therapy Research Grant Award, Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists.
Ho, ES (2012) Perioperative Services Innovation Grant, The Hospital for Sick Children
CONCURRENT VALIDITY OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS OUTCOME MEASURE
Principal Investigator:
Co-investigators:
Collaborators:
Emily Ho, OT
Howard Clarke, MD
Erin Fraser, OT
Chris Curtis, PT
Mary Harris, RN
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this project is to establish the construct validity of the Brachial Plexus
Outcome Measure (BPOM) Self-evaluation Scale. Establishing the construct validity of
the BPOM will support the use of this tool in this population to measure functional
upper extremity deficits to make decisions regarding non-operative and operative
treatment options for children with OBPP. The secondary purpose of this study is to
evaluate the parent-child agreement on self-evaluation of upper extremity function and
appearance in this population.
Research Start Date:
Expected End Date:
July 2013
December 2015
How this research makes a difference:
This study will help us understand how parents and children feel about their brachial plexus
injury. This information will help us to better support families through decision making regarding
elective surgery for their child’s arm. This study will also help us to validate the Brachial Plexus
Outcome Measure (BPOM) that is an assessment tool that measures how a child perceives
their own upper extremity function and appearance.
Number of Children Enrolled to Date:
How can I find out more about this project? Contact: Emily Ho 416 813-8270
OUTCOMES IN OBSTETRICAL BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY
Principal Investigator:
Co-investigators:
Collaborators:
Howard Clarke, MD
Sevan Hopyan, MD
Chris Curtis, PT
Emily Ho, OT
Alison Anthony, PT
Mary Harris, RN
Study Purpose:
To evaluate the motor and functional outcome of children with obstetrical brachial
plexus palsy over time.
Research Start Date: September 2006
Expected End Date: Ongoing
How this research makes a difference:
This study will help health professionals to evaluate the interventions that are provided
for children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. This will benefit current and future
families and children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy to optimize functional
outcome.
Number of Children Enrolled to Date: 1200
How can I find out more about this project? Contact: Dr. Howard Clarke 416 813-6444
SENSORY FUNCTION OF CHILDREN WITH OBSTETRICAL BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY
Principal Investigator:
Co-investigators:
Collaborators:
Emily Ho, OT
Howard Clarke, MD
Study Purpose:
To determine the sensory outcome of children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy
(OBPP) who had surgical reconstruction of the brachial plexus in infancy. Children with
OBPP between 6 to 18 years will be evaluated for their sensory threshold using the
Semmes Weinstein Monofilament WEST assessment. Functional sensation will be
evaluated using a test of stereognosis, Faces Pain Scale - Revised edition, and a
questionnaire regarding sensory symptoms.
Research Start Date: July 2012
Expected End Date: December 2014
How this research makes a difference:
This study will help families and children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy to understand
how this type of injury affects the feeling and function of the injured arm and hand. This
information is important in helping professionals provide the best education and treatment to
help these children do the best they can. Further, this information will help families who are
considering nerve surgery on the brachial plexus of their infant understand what to expect in
regards to the feeling in their child’s injured arm and hand.
Number of Children Enrolled to Date: 51
How can I find out more about this project? Contact: Emily Ho 416 813-8270