Research projects funded through the annual University Medical Research Fund (UMRF) grant competition will look at the effect of exercise on Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) treatment for depression, explore personalized musical interventions for depression and anxiety, and gain a better understanding of the use of control interventions in Ontario's mental health care system.Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
The UMRF grant competition is made possible by contributions from the members of The Royal’s Associates in Psychiatry. It was established to foster novel, multi- and inter-disciplinary research at The Royal, which closely integrates research and care, with the goal of improving care, access, quality, and safety.
“Innovation is key to advancing our understanding, and it’s essential that this progress remains deeply connected to client care and guided by the needs and experiences of those we serve,” says Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, president of the University of Ottawa Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR) at The Royal. “The UMRF grant competition helps us move closer to that goal. We are grateful to the associates for their support in making this program possible.”
2024 UMRF recipients
Can exercise prime the response to rTMS treatment in difficult-to-treat major depressive disorder?
Research team: R. Brender, R. Antochi, L. Pilutti, A. Chaves, S. Tremblay, G. O’Hara, A. Berman
Funding: $99,945 over two years
Up to one-third of people who are diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) don’t improve with standard treatments. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and a similar variant called Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) offer new hope to people with TRD. Recent findings by a team at The Royal have uncovered that people who were physically active before starting their TBS treatment showed a much higher success rate in reducing depressive symptoms. The UMRF-funded study will evaluate the impact of participating in a moderate-to-vigorous exercise program four weeks before and during TBS treatment. The hope is that this approach will lead to better treatment outcomes and provide a cost-effective, accessible strategy for managing TRD.
Healing depression and anxiety through personalized music interventions
Research team: G. Northoff, G. Comeau, S. Fogel, S. Trivunovic, T. Beaudoin, J. Hua, A. Wolman, B. Ventura, J. Thompson, G. O’Hara, P. Klar, C. Lyssaker, S. Lechner, Y. Catal
Funding: $100,000 over two years
Music has a powerful influence on our emotions, social connections, and even our health. While previous research explored how music could treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, results have been mixed. This is likely because people respond to music differently based on their mental health symptoms and personal music preferences.
This study aims to create personalized music interventions for people with mild to moderate depression or anxiety through the lens of "timescales." Timescales refer to how the brain perceives the speed or duration of a process. Some of these processes take nanoseconds, while others unfold more slowly. Music mirrors these timescales through short and long rhythmic and melodic patterns. The more aligned musical patterns are with a listener's brain activity, the stronger the response. Interestingly, people who have depression may perceive music as slower, while those with anxiety might feel it's too fast or overwhelming. By tailoring the speed of music to match an individual's brain activity, we may be able to "reset" their brain's perception of time, potentially easing symptoms. This personalized method could offer a new, drug-free way to treat depression and anxiety.
Examining the use of control interventions on mental health inpatients in Ontario between 2011 and 2023.
Research team: S. Gulati, E. Carefoot, J. Bradford
Funding: $99,328 over two years
In hospitals that provide mental health care, control interventions like restraint, isolation, or medication are sometimes necessary to prevent harm. However, these practices are controversial because they can have a negative impact on both clients and staff. While these interventions are considered last resorts, there's a growing focus on finding alternatives and minimizing their use.
This research aims to understand how often these interventions are used in Ontario’s forensic mental health care system, what factors influence their use, and what risks are involved. By studying data from 2011 to 2023, the researchers hope to answer some key questions, such as how often clients experience control interventions, do different hospitals have different rates of use, and what factors (like age, diagnosis, or behaviour) predict the use of these measures.
The goal is to improve safety for both clients and staff, reduce the need for restrictive practices, and promote more client-centered care. The research could lead to better guidelines for reducing harm and improving outcomes in psychiatric settings. Ultimately, the study will help create tools for staff to assess risks and make more informed decisions when managing difficult behaviours.