Grant program empowers interdisciplinary, client-shaped mental health research
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – August 17, 2021: Today, The Royal announced the winners of its Translation of Research into Care (TRIC) Grant, made possible by a $200,000 investment by Canada Life. The TRIC Grant program supports interdisciplinary research projects that have the potential to improve care at The Royal. The six teams receiving funding through the TRIC Grant competition will improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness. The winning research projects also support the meaningful engagement of clients and families—a key factor driving mental health solutions.
“When clients are engaged in care and research we see consistently better outcomes,” Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, president of the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal and vice president of research at The Royal, said. “The TRIC Grant enables deeper integration of clinicians, scientists, clients and their families in a manner that truly facilitates bench-to-bedside research. Through our strategy, Co-creating access, hope and new possibilities, we are redefining how lived expertise can inform and shape care, education and research that advances our understanding of mental health and substance use disorders. I believe that programs like TRIC result in more intentional collaboration and more powerful exploration that has a resounding impact on client care.”
Together, donors like Canada Life and The Royal’s scientists, clinicians, staff, clients and caregivers are working shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure that those struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders receive the care they need, when and where they need it.
“At Canada Life, we believe in supporting the well-being of Canadians and in the value of expertise,” said Debbie Down, director of community relations for Canada Life. “That’s why we’re thrilled to support the innovative TRIC program, because it will bring together experts who can help make a tangible, positive impact in the mental health journey of Canadians every year. We know that mental health diagnosis, treatment and prevention play a vital part in creating strong and healthy communities.”
As one of Canada’s leading academic health science centres, scientists with The University of Ottawa Institute for Mental Health Research at The Royal specialize in complex and treatment-resistant mental illness conducting innovative work leading to the development of more personalized and alternative treatment options. Parties interested in learning more about the IMHR and opportunities to invest in the future of mental health research should contact foundation@theroyal.ca.
The 2021 TRIC Grant Recipients
Below are the recipients of the 2021 TRIC Grant. Each winning team will receive a $30,000 one-year grant.
Cognitive remediation in forensic mental health care
Research team: Patrizia Pezzoli, Caitlin Carter, Steve Michel, Melissa Bolton, Michael Seto, Synthia Guimond, Sanjiv Gulati, Joan Garrow, Brian Merkley, Sarah Telford, Steven Mair, Rebecca Stewart
This study will explore how computerized cognitive remediation can improve executive functions in former forensic inpatients being reintegrated into the community. Specifically, this study will examine the effect of cognitive remediation on variables that are critical for forensic rehabilitation, namely aggression, treatment noncompliance, and daily functioning. Cognitive remediation is an evidence-based training method that could be integrated into forensic health care practice. In the long term, the expected cognitive, behavioural, and functional improvements associated with cognitive remediation have the potential to result in improved well-being and reduced recidivism rates.
Stellate ganglion block in the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Outcome evaluation, integration in care, and mechanism of action
Research team: Jakov Shlik, Rebecca Gomez, Anne Bailliu, Clifford Cassidy, Shelley Hale, Charles Cory Taylor, Daniel James
This innovative study will facilitate access to stellate ganglion block (SGB) treatment for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by establishing a clinical pathway for SGB as an adjunct intervention to the available treatments for PTSD. This project will also allow for evaluation of client experiences in order to optimize the application of SGB. Moreover, this study will investigate the biomarkers conceivably predicting the efficacy of SGB and its mechanism of action using brain imaging. SGB provides a novel intervention for PTSD potentially leading to rapid symptom and distress reduction, which can facilitate care (e.g., better results in therapy, reduction of polypharmacy, and, importantly, client satisfaction, boosting hope and outlook for recovery).
Predictors of clozapine treatment
Research team: Lauri Tuominen, David Attwood, Alexandra Baines, Clifford Cassidy, Domenic Ielo, Reggie Taylor, Rami Hamati, Cecelia Shvetz
Using a novel semi-structured interview and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) application as a brief, simple and non-invasive alternative to more invasive imaging techniques, this study will investigate the psychosocial and biological marker used to determine clozapine adherence and response. Clozapine is the gold-standard antipsychotic agent for the treatment of otherwise treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Still, only 75 percent of individuals adhere to clozapine treatment and furthermore, only 40 percent show positive response. Currently, clinicians do not have tools to predict adherence or treatment outcomes of clozapine treatment. Therefore, treatment is based on trial and error, which is time consuming and expensive. Ability to predict adherence and response to clozapine treatment would improve efficiency; reduce costs and risks due to unnecessary interventions; and lead to earlier initiation of successful therapy and benefits in personal and social function.
Development and implementation of the functional prescription program in forensic rehabilitation
Research team: Guillaume Tremblay, Michael Seto, Jonathan Gray, Matt Leblanc, Marc Caron, Nicole Rodrigues
To help clients succeed in their community reintegration, this study will develop a prescription ‘script’ that outlines the daily tasks, and life skills, that both the client and team have identified as targets to ensure successful progression in their rehabilitation journey. This script will allow both the client and staff to objectively monitor a client’s adherence to the agreed upon expectations related to activities of daily living and forensic rehabilitation. The project will develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the script by following clients at multiple times during the year to measure their progression into recovery. The goal of the project is to share the script as a tool with other programs to assist in the provision of efficient and effective client centred care, offered with clarity and consistency, while mitigating risk.
Development and evaluation of a virtual psychoeducation program for bipolar disorder
Research team: Kelsey Collimore, Vidi Gouthro, Amol Vaze, Jennifer Phillips, Laura MacLaurin, Glenda O’Hara, Michele Langlois
This study will develop and evaluate a virtual psychoeducation program for bipolar disorder (e.g., videos, online modules), based on evidence-based protocols, in line with best practice guidelines with client, family, and clinician experiences incorporated. This study directly bridges research to practice through the adoption of best practice guidelines. This study will systematically provide access to health education using a virtual approach to increase access and efficiency, with attention to sustainability, improving access to care, and adhering to the philosophy of a hospital without walls.
Implementation and evaluation of improved access to medical imaging for geriatric clients of The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Research team: Tim Lau, Lisa McMurray, Lauri Tuominen, Clifford Cassidy, Katie Dinelle, Sherri Cannon, Janet Cosier, Jean-Paul Soucy
This study will implement a workflow, image eligible clients, and evaluate clinical outcomes of on-site access to medical imaging (MRI and PET) for clients of The Royal who have inconclusive clinical symptoms of dementia. Knowing that depression has very different treatment pathways from dementia and that specific dementias have specific treatments, improved diagnosis means improved efficacy and safety for the client. This client-centred approach will improve client comfort, ease and likelihood of access.
About The Royal
The Royal is simple: to help more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. The Royal combines the delivery of specialized mental health care, advocacy, research and education to transform the lives of people living with complex and treatment-resistant mental illness. The Royal includes mental health centres in Ottawa and Brockville, community mental health services at Carlingwood Mall, and four satellite offices. The Royal’s Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic treats Canadian Forces, veterans and RCMP, and is the only OSI clinic within a specialized academic mental health centre. The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, brings together leading clinicians, scientists and technology to investigate the brain circuitry linked to anxiety and depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and suicidal ideation. Hosting a world leading-edge technology in molecular imaging targeted solely to mental health, The Royal is an innovative powerhouse — putting the nation’s capital at the forefront of unlocking the secrets of the brain — the last frontier. The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health raises funds that support The Royal’s work. The Royal places a sharp focus on awareness building through the You Know Who I Am campaign and public education initiatives such as Conversations at The Royal and Is It Just Me? Conversations about Youth Mental Health. For more information, please visit theroyal.ca.
About The Canada Life Assurance Company
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