Program and Year: 2019 – Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF)
Project Title: Project title: An integrative approach to understanding shoulder movement across the lifespan.
Faculty: Faculty of Kinesiology & Recreation Management, University of Manitoba
Synopsis:
Dr. Scribbans’ innovative research program will explore how muscles and connective tissue (e.g. fascial) influence movement of the shoulder complex, if they are altered in different populations (e.g. females versus males, with aging, etc.) and how they respond to different treatment interventions (e.g. myofascial release).
What will the impacts/benefits of this research be to Manitoba/Canada?
Shoulder pathologies significantly impact an individual’s ability to function daily resulting in reduced independence, health status, quality of life, and psychological stress due to pain, disability, and reduced earning capacity. Over 50% of the Canadian population will develop a rotator cuff pathology (RCP) in their lifetime, and more than a third of patients do not experience positive outcomes to surgical and conservative treatments. A more complete understanding of the shoulder complex in normal and pathological shoulders across the sexes and ages will provide insight into the pathogenesis of rotator cuff pathology and other shoulder pathologies.
This enhanced understanding will identify modifiable biological targets that will inform the development of more effective preventative and rehabilitative strategies and improve the identification of at-risk individuals to reduce the incidence and duration of shoulder disorders like RCP. Collectively, outcomes from the proposed research program will improve the diagnosis, rehabilitation and prevention of RCP, resulting in improved shoulder function and a reduced risk of future shoulder injury for Manitobans and all Canadians.
What do you hope to achieve at the end of your Research Manitoba funded project?
The equipment jointly funded by Research Manitoba and CFI is essential to the long-term success of my research program by allowing for a wide range of research streams investigating how the skeletal and fascial systems influence movement. Over the next 5 years, I will use the equipment along with my existing equipment to support an integrative research program aimed at expanding our knowledge of shoulder movement by delineating the role of fascial anatomy and physiology, neuromuscular function and upper limb kinematics in different populations and in response to different treatment interventions.
Knowledge regarding the function of and interaction between the muscular and fascia systems will elucidate modifiable risk factors and targets for preventative and rehabilitative strategies to reduce the incidence and duration of musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder complex.
How did the funds you received from Research Manitoba advance this research and/or your career?
This question is a little challenging to answer as we have not yet purchased all of the equipment and it is not yet being used. This usually takes several years, and is being complicated/extended because of the pandemic.
I can comment on how I expect that these funds will advance my research program and career.
Only a few musculoskeletal researchers have access to Shear Wave Elastography ultrasound, one of the pieces of equipment purchased with the awarded funds, and those who do, use the technology for research programs investigating other body regions, with distinct anatomy and function compared to the shoulder. Internationally, there are currently no research programs that have access to 3D motion analysis, SWE ultrasound and high-density electromyography concurrently. Thus, my research program would be the first to possess this unique combination of infrastructure. As the muscular and fascial systems work in concert to dynamically stabilize the shoulder during movement, it is imperative that future research uncovers the function of and interaction between these systems. The requested infrastructure will allow innovative integrative musculoskeletal research that will generate new information that will inform novel therapies and interventions strategies for musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder complex.
Did you receive additional funding for this project as a result of your Research Manitoba?
Not yet! We are still in the process of purchasing the equipment that this award funded (with CFI).