The Ontario Physiotherapy Association supports research in a number of ways. These include:
Publishing and circulating requests for research participants.
Sending letters of support for members applying for research grants.
Providing a forum for research knowledge dissemination at our conference, InterACTION.
Attending and presenting at conferences.
Want OPA to help you recruit research participants? Complete the form below and we will be in touch about disseminating your research participant request.
Participate in the research requests listed below. Also, share the request with clients/patients as needed.
Submit a proposal to speak at OPA’s conference. Stay tuned for more information about InterACTION 2027.
OPA has a resource to help the physiotherapy community access the latest research through various databases. Check out what’s available to you as an OPA/CPA member.
OPA values evidence-based practice and research that advances the profession and supports health system innovation. Check out current research requests and participate!
We are conducting a study to gain insight from physiotherapists on the definition of exercise, physical activity and therapeutic exercise.
Information learned from this study will lead to the development of consensus definitions of exercise and physical activity within Canada.
The survey is now open and the deadline to participate is March 31, 2026.
If you have any questions regarding the survey, please feel free to reach out to Christina Ziebart at cziebart@uwo.ca
Open to: Physiotherapists
Researchers at the University of Toronto are exploring Canadian physiotherapists’ perspectives on using virtual reality to treat post-concussive dizziness. Registered physiotherapists with concussion treatment experience are invited to complete a brief online survey. (Code: DYLRYHTAP)
Post-concussive dizziness is a leading cause of prolonged concussion recovery. VR offers promising treatment options, yet clinical adoption remains limited. Understanding physiotherapists’ perspectives can help bridge the gap between research and practice.
The survey is now open and the deadline to participate is April 30, 2026.
Contact Sonya Vovan at svovan2@yorku.ca with any questions regarding the study and survey.
Open to: Physiotherapists
Participation in this study involves a one-time online focus group with other physiotherapists exploring the factors that inform your clinical reasoning for therapeutic exercise and physical activity prescription.
Findings will inform development of a framework to support students in developing their clinical reasoning for prescribing therapeutic exercise and physical activity prescription, a core competency in physiotherapy that is difficult for students to develop.
The deadline to participate is April 30, 2026.
Contact Katie Kowalski kkowals7@uwo.ca if you are interested in participating.
Open to: Physiotherapists, Physiotherapist Assistants, and Clients/Patients
This study aims to gather insights from a wide range of patients and healthcare providers involved in shoulder pain management. By understanding different perspectives, we hope to identify opportunities to improve referral pathways and strengthen triage processes for individuals experiencing pain.
Physiotherapists are among the most critical stakeholders involved in the shoulder pain management and their perspectives are critical to capture for a triage process.
The survey is now open and the deadline to participate is August 31, 2026.
Contact Samah Hassan at shass63@uwo.ca with any questions regarding the study and survey.
Open to: Physiotherapists
We are examining how WSIB’s 2023 mandatory Program of Care policy influences physiotherapists’ clinical workflows and decision-making. This study explores practice changes, administrative pressures, and barriers experienced by physiotherapists to better understand how the new policy shapes frontline.
WSIB policies have direct effects on physiotherapists’ autonomy, workload, and ability to deliver high‑quality care. Understanding these impacts is essential for strengthening advocacy, improving practice conditions, and ensuring physiotherapists’ voices guide future policy decisions.
The survey is now open and the deadline to participate is June 30, 2027. It will take 5-10 minutes to complete the survey.
Contact Peining Li at p59li@uwaterloo.ca with any questions regarding the study and survey.
Contact OPA with any questions about supporting your physiotherapy research at physiomail@opa.on.ca.