This study aims to (1) characterize healthcare professionals' (HCPs') experiences related to the prevention and management of pressure injuries (PIs) and (2) explore the educational needs of individuals with a past or current history of PIs and their caregivers from the perspective of HCPs. This is a qualitative descriptive study. HCPs (n = 18) were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview guide. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo. Three overarching themes encompassing various dimensions were identified: (1) Facilitators related to PI prevention and management, (2) Challenges related to PI prevention and management and (3) Recommendations for improving patient and caregiver PI education. HCPs identified a greater number of challenges than facilitators related to PI care. This study emphasizes the importance of a patient‐centred and interprofessional approach to patient education for PI prevention and management. Meaningful interventions focused on the patient may improve health literacy and empower patients and caregivers in PI care. Investing in preventive measures and raising awareness are crucial to reducing PI incidence. The findings have implications for HCPs and researchers seeking to enhance patient care and promote effective PI prevention strategies.
Activity-based therapy (ABT) is a therapeutic approach with multiple benefits including promoting neurorecovery and reducing the likelihood of secondary complications in people living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Barriers and facilitators to ABT implementation for SCI rehabilitation have been studied from various perspectives through qualitative research. However, these viewpoints have not been synthesized to identify challenges of and strategies for implementing ABT across the Canadian healthcare system. Thus, the purpose of our study was to examine the current state of ABT in Canadian healthcare settings according to users’ perspectives. Our main objectives were to compare barriers and facilitators to ABT implementation across Canadian healthcare settings according to users’ perspectives and to identify optimal intervention strategies for ABT delivery across the Canadian healthcare system from acute to community care. We searched Scopus, CINAHL, OvidMedline, and other sources. Eligible articles were qualitative or mixed methods studies exploring ABT for adults with SCI in a Canadian healthcare setting. We analyzed qualitative findings through a thematic synthesis followed by a deductive content analysis. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for critical appraisal. Nine articles were included. The thematic synthesis revealed two main themes: (1) factors influencing acceptance and adaptation of ABT across healthcare settings in Canada and (2) proposed solutions. The deductive analysis applied the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to identify limited components of behaviour and appropriate interventions. To address ABT implementation challenges across the Canadian healthcare system, evidence-based interventions should target BCW subcategories of reflective motivation, social opportunity, and physical opportunity.
Falls are a frequent event among older adults and individuals with central neurological conditions. Gaze behaviour (i.e. how individuals use visual input to guide movement) plays a critical role in motor control while walking and likely contributes to fall prevention. However, existing research in this area remains fragmented. This scoping review will aim to identify how gaze behaviour is measured and utilized during gait rehabilitation among older adults and individuals with central neurological conditions. Findings will inform standardized assessment approaches and the development of interventions targeting gaze behaviour to improve walking and reduce fall risk. This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review guidelines and is registered with the Open Science Framework. Studies will be included if they involve older adults (≥ 65 years) or individuals with central neurological conditions and measure gaze behaviour during walking. A comprehensive search strategy was developed in collaboration with a University Health Network Librarian and refined iteratively by the research team. Eight databases (Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, CDSR, Emcare Nursing, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, and CINAHL) were searched from inception to August 2025. Title and abstract screening will be followed by a full-text review to identify articles that meet the inclusion criteria. Data related to study/participant characteristics, methods for eye tracking, intervention, equipment, outcome measures, and key findings will be extracted. Methodological quality of studies will be assessed using the appropriate tool based on study design. Results will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist.
Importance: Gait adaptability is essential for safe walking. Impairments after non-progressive neurological conditions contribute to walking limitations and fall risk. Advances in virtual/augmented reality-based treadmills/walkways have increased interest in gait adaptability assessment and training, making a review timely. Objective: The objectives were as follows: (1) Explore the characteristics and outcomes of physical interventions used to improve gait adaptability for individuals with non-progressive neurological conditions; and (2) Identify the outcome measures and tasks used to track changes with interventions incorporating gait adaptability training. Data Sources: A comprehensive search was conducted in 6 databases: CINAHL Complete, Embase, Emcare Nursing, Medline ALL, PEDro, and Web of Science Core Collection, from inception to September 8, 2025. Study Selection: Studies that involved adults with non-progressive neurological conditions, incorporated walking with environmental/task changes, targeted gait adaptability, and included >2 training sessions were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Study/participant characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted. Methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Downs and Black checklist. Interventions were categorized into 6 groups, and their alignment with 9 gait adaptability domains was evaluated. Outcome measures were identified and classified based on relevance to gait adaptability. Results: Twenty-nine studies (881 participants: 743 stroke, 132 spinal cord injury, 6 acquired brain injury) were included. The most common interventions were skilled overground/community walking and treadmill training with virtual/augmented reality. Obstacle negotiation was the most frequently targeted gait adaptability domain. Interventions that incorporated gait adaptability training led to improvements in walking outcomes such as speed and endurance. The most common outcome measures—10-Meter Walk Test, Timed Up and Go, and 6-Minute Walk Test—do not directly assess gait adaptability. Conclusions and Relevance: Interventions that incorporated gait adaptability training included a broad range of overground and treadmill training approaches, and improved walking ability. Future trials should include measures that directly assess multiple domains of gait adaptability.