The effects of intermittent exposure to hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of an acute soft tissue injury

This study examined the effects of intermittent exposure to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) for the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It is apparent in the literature that a great deal of controversy exists in using this form of therapy to treat tissue injuries. It was hypothesized that subjects exposed to hyperbaric oxygen would recover from DOMS faster than subjects exposed to normoxic air. Sixteen sedentary, female university students participated in the study and were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. All subjects performed 300 maximal voluntary eccentric contractions (30 sets of 10 repetitions/minute) of their non-dominant leg (110° - 35° of knee flexion) at a slow speed (30° per second) on the KinCom Dynamometer, to elicit muscle damage and injury. HBO treatments consisted of 100% oxygen for 60 minutes at 2.0 ATA while the control group received 21 % oxygen at 1.2 ATA for the same amount of time. Both groups received treatment immediately after the induction of DOMS and each day after for a period of 4 days [day 2 post-exercise thru day 5 post-exercise]. Dependent variables (perceived muscle soreness, isokinetic strength, quadriceps circumference, creatine kinase (CK), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed baseline (preexercise, day 1), 4 hours post-exercise (day 2), 24 hours post-exercise (day 3), 48 hours post-exercise (day 4) and 72 hours post-exercise (day 5). MRI [T2 relaxation time/STIR]) was assessed baseline (day 1), 24 hours post-exercise (day 3) and 72 hours post-exercise (day 5). Isokinetic strength (p<0.05) and perceived soreness (p<0.05) indicated significance for injury to the quadricep muscle for both groups but no difference was seen between groups (p=0.102, p=0.571 respectively). Quadricep circumference was measured at the 10 and 20 cm reference point above the superior portion of the patella. The 10cm girth measurement indicated significance (p<0.05) for muscle injury but there was no difference between groups (p=0.815); 20 cm measurement showed no significance (p<0.05) for both within and between groups (p=0.677). No significance was evident for serum CK (p<0.05), both within and between groups (p=0.647). MDA analysis revealed no significance (p<0.05) both within and between groups (p=0.580). Analysis of IL-6 demonstrated no significance (p<0.05) for both within and between groups (p=0.111). Finally, MRI analysis for T2 weighted imaging of the rectus femoris, vastus medius and vastus lateralis showed no statistical significance (p<0.05) between groups for treatment effects (p=0.800, p=0.361, and p=0.806 respectively). Similarly, analysis of the STIR images indicated no statistical significance (p<0.05) for the same three muscles (p=0.796, p=0.580, and p=0.265 respectively). The findings of this study suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy was not effective in the treatment of exercise-induced muscle injury as indicated by the markers evaluated.Education, Faculty ofKinesiology, School ofGraduat

Concussion Awareness Training Tool for Parents, Players & Coaches : Evaluation Report

The purpose of this evaluation for CATT was to determine if attitudes and knowledge were significantly improved among parents with a child registered in an organized sport following completion of CATT. Parents were recruited to complete pre and postintervention surveys designed to measure changes in attitudes and knowledge around concussion recognition and management. The survey was administered using FluidSurveys (www. fluidsurveys.com), a secure Canadian online survey company. Participants completed the survey before the intervention (before completing CATT) and subsequently completed the same survey again 3 to 4 months post intervention. A total of 35 parents completed the study. The recruitment period for this study was extended due to low response rates.Medicine, Faculty ofPediatrics, Department ofOther UBCUnreviewedFacultyResearche

Too Hot for Tots! : Evaluation of a Paediatric Burns Prevention Resource

The aim of this study is to evaluate Too Hot for Tots! in its ability to change knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) around the perception of burn risk, and to highlight burn prevention efforts that can be taken by parents and caregivers of children less than 5 years of age. The objectives of this evaluation are to determine: 1) if the Too Hot for Tots! video and brochure package presented in a public health setting effectively promotes change in parental KAP regarding burns prevention in the home; and 2) if the Too Hot for Tots! brochure package is as effective in promoting change as compared to a presentation in a public health setting as a primary resource.Medicine, Faculty ofPediatrics, Department ofOther UBCUnreviewedFacultyResearche

Concussion Awareness Training Tool for School Professionals : Evaluation Report

The purpose of this evaluation for was to determine if knowledge and attitudes were significantly improved among school professionals following completion of the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) online course.Medicine, Faculty ofPediatrics, Department ofOther UBCUnreviewedFacultyResearche

Getting the Message Across : The Role of Technology-Enabled Knowledge Translation in Sports Medicine Research

An editorial message on the role of technology-enabled knowledge translation in sports medicine research.Medicine, Faculty ofPediatrics, Department ofReviewedFacult

Improving and standardizing concussion education and care : a Canadian experience

Concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury, is an acute urgent public health issue that has the potential for serious long-term consequences if not recognized immediately. It is a complex injury affecting the brain both structurally and functionally as a result of neurological deficits that occur when the brain is jostled inside the skull. This particular injury is unique in that no two concussions are alike, as each patient responds differently. One may take a significant hit and recover uneventfully in days, while another may take a seemingly minor hit and yet still be recovering months later. There are no diagnostic tools currently available to assess a concussion and, as a result, diagnosis is not an exact science. Every concussion needs to be treated on a case-by-case basis, usually taking into consideration previous history, circumstance of injury and presenting signs and symptoms.Medicine, Faculty ofOther UBCPediatrics, Department ofReviewedFacultyUndergraduat

Vanderhoof Safe Babies Project : Survey Analysis Summary

The information provided in this report provides a summary of the data analysis conducted from three surveys administered to parents in the community as part of the Vanderhoof Safe Babies Project.Medicine, Faculty ofPediatrics, Department ofOther UBCUnreviewedFacultyResearche

Motor Vehicle Collision Fatalities in British Columbia : A Retrospective Review

The purpose of this study was to undertake a three year (2003 – 2005) retrospective review of all motor vehicle collision (MVC) fatalities in the province of British Columbia using mortality data from the BC Coroner’s Service (BCCS). The objective was to identify the contextual factors associated with MVC fatalities and to determine whether there was any added value in supplementing the current Traffic Accident Statistics (TAS) data with additional data extrapolated from BCCS case files.Medicine, Faculty ofPediatrics, Department ofOther UBCUnreviewedFacultyResearche

BC Hockey Concussion Policy Evaluation : Concussion Awareness Training Tool for Team Officials

The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the uptake of the concussion educational materials and the CATT online training, promoted as part of the district concussion protocol. A total of 111 Richmond School District employees completed an online survey. Three-quarters of respondents had seen the Concussion Awareness, Response, and Management poster in their school or office. Among these, 94% agreed that they would refer to this resource and 19% had already used this resource in response to a potentially concussive incident.Medicine, Faculty ofPediatrics, Department ofOther UBCUnreviewedFacultyResearcherUndergraduat