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!
Open to: Physiotherapists, Physiotherapist Assistants
The aim of the survey is to understand: 1) current physical activity practices in Long-Term Care (e.g., types of programs and supports, who receives physical activity supports, volume and intensity of physical activity); and 2) recommendations for physical activity implementation in Long-Term Care.
In Ontario, most residents in Long-Term Care (LTC) do not receive adequate physical activity programming despite benefits to physical function and falls risk. There are no specific policies or guidelines related to provision of physical activity.
The deadline to participate is June 30, 2026.
Contact Grace Liu grace.liu@uwaterloo.ca if you are interested in participating.
Open to: Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, OTAs, PTAs, Communication Disorders Assistant (CDA), other rehabilitative care professionals
The Rehabilitative Care Alliance is conducting an environmental scan of emergency departments (EDs) across Ontario to better understand how rehabilitative care professionals are currently integrated into ED models of care. This work builds on a comprehensive literature review and focus groups conducted with subject matter experts from across the province. Findings from these activities guided the development of this provincial survey. When complete, survey findings will help the RCA better understand current approaches to integrating rehab within EDs and identify opportunities for future planning. Together with the literature review and focus group findings, survey results will shape the development of a guidance document and related resources for rehabilitation models of care in emergency departments.
The survey will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
The deadline to participate is Friday, July 17, 2026.
If you have any further questions, please email Gabrielle Sadler, Project Manager gabrielle.sadler@uhn.ca.
Open to: Physiotherapists, Physiotherapist Assistants, Clients, Caregivers
This study uses a participatory, multi‑step approach to identify accessibility, acceptability, and feasibility needs in telerehabilitation for people with acquired brain injury. Findings will guide the co‑design of an equitable, feasible telerehabilitation program.
People with acquired brain injury face major barriers to rehabilitation. Co‑designing equitable telerehabilitation services grounded in lived experience will help physiotherapists deliver accessible, acceptable, high‑quality care and reduce health inequities.
The deadline to participate is July 31, 2026.
Contact Nathalie Todam Ng ntodamng@uottawa.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
This interprofessional online focus group study aims to bring together family doctors, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, audiologists, and other allied health professionals working in primary care to discuss how primary care settings can support individuals living with hearing loss in partnership with audiologists.
Growing research evidence is also showing the impacts of untreated hearing loss on the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of older adults. Primary care physiotherapists have an important role to play in supporting individuals with hearing loss, especially given the important connections between hearing and balance.
Individuals interested in participating, please email Jana Bataineh at jbataine@uwo.ca.
The deadline to participate is September 1, 2026.
Open to: Physiotherapists
This study is to understand clinicians’ perspectives on using technology in assessing children with motor coordination difficulties. Findings will highlight current practices, identify barriers to adoption, and explore tools for sensorimotor assessment. Information will help guide future research.
This research is important for physiotherapy because it explores how technology can support assessment of children with motor coordination difficulties. It helps identify current practices, barriers, and tools that can improve assessment accuracy and support better clinical decision making.
The deadline to participate is May 31, 2027.
Contact Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo at eniechwiej@uwaterloo.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.