Research Objective

The MacHANd Group is committed to conducting high-quality research to advance health care. A common focus across studies is measuring and understanding the biologic, personal, work, and environmental factors that contribute to development of pain and disability in the hand and upper extremity, and identifying the most effective interventions to mitigate these problems.

Research Themes

Theme #1Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) that focus on the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, nerve, occupational disorders, articles/resources for EBP, systematic reviews, economic analyses, utilities, randomized controlled trials, and outcome measures.  Study designs include clinical trials and cohort studies. 

Theme #2Lab-based Research, including bench and animal studies, that focus on the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and nerve. 

Research Inquiries

For research inquiries, please contact:

Margaret Lomotan, Research Coordinator

E-mail: lomotam@mcmaster.ca

Telephone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 27328

Associated Labs & Research Institutes

MacHAND (McMaster University Hand, Arm, Neck Disability) Lab

Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (McMaster University) 

Fahnestock Molecular Biology Lab (McMaster University)

Microsurgery Lab (St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton)

Batt Molecular Lab (University of Toronto)

Surgical Outcomes Resource Centre (SOURCE, McMaster University)

Current Projects
  1. Pain
  2. Fractures
  3. Musculoskeletal Disability
  4. Quality of Life
  5. Outcome Measures
  6. Knowledge Transfer and Evidence-Based Practice

Recent Relevant Publications

(MacHANd Authors Bolded)

2015

Alolabi N, Chuback J, Grad S, Thoma A. The utility of hand transplantation in hand amputee patients. J Hand Surg Am. 2015 Jan;40(1):8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.08.048.

Athwal GS, MacDermid JC, Reddy KM, Marsh JP, Faber KJ, Drosdowech D: Does bony increased-offset reverse shoulder arthroplasty decrease scapular notching? Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2015 Mar;24(3):468-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2014.08.015. Epub 2014 Oct 22.

Beauchemin G, MacDermid JC, Bourduas K, Poirier MF, Gaudelli C, Rouleau DM. Translation and validation of the PREE (Patient Rated Elbow Evaluation) to a French version. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2015 Jun;101(4):405-9. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2015.03.012. Epub 2015 Apr 27.

Chin B, Cheung K, Farhangkhoee H, Thoma A. Persistent spontaneous synovial drainage from digital flexor sheath in proliferative tenosynovitis: Two case reports and a review of the literature. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2015 Summer;23(2):108-10. Review

Coroneos CJ, Maizlin ZV, DeMatteo C, Gjertsen D, Bain JR. "Popeye muscle" morphology in OBPI elbow flexion contracture. J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2015 Jun 17:1-6. [Epub ahead of print]

Coroneos CJ, Voineskos SH, Coroneos MK, Alolabi N, Goekjian SR, Willoughby LI, Thoma A, Bain JR, Brouwers MC; Canadian OBPI Working Group. Primary nerve repair for obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI): a meta-analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Jun 15. [Epub ahead of print]

da Silva Rodrigues EK,  de Cássia Registro Fonseca M, MacDermid JC: Brazilian Version of the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE-BR): cross-cultural adaptation, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2015 Jan-Mar;28(1):69-75; quiz 76. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2014.09.008. Epub 2014 Oct 8.

Desjardins-Charbonneau A, Roy JR, Dionne CE,  Frémont P,  MacDermid JC,  Desmeules F: The Efficacy of Manual Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015 May;45(5):330-50. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5455. Epub 2015 Mar 26.

Desmeules F, Boudreault J, Roy JS, Dionne C, Frémont P, MacDermid JC. The efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phys Ther Sport. 2015 Aug;16(3):276-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2014.09.004. Epub 2014 Sep 23..

Dunn W, Griffith JW, Sabata D, Morrison MT, MacDermid JC, Darragh A, Schaaf R, Dudgeon B, Connor LT, Carey L, Tanquary J. Measuring change in somatosensation across the lifespan. Am J Occup Ther. 2015 May-Jun;69(3):6903290020p1-9. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2015.014845.

Hak A, Rajaratnam K, Ayeni OR, Moro J, Peterson D, Sprague S, Bhandari M. A Double-Blinded Placebo Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Short-term Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Reducing Postoperative Pain After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Pilot Study.Sports Health. 2015 Jan;7(1):58-66. doi: 10.1177/1941738114548413.

Hasani FN, MacDermid JC, Tang A, Kho ME. Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric testing of the Arabic version of the Patient-Rated Wrist Hand Evaluation (PRWHE-A) in Saudi Arabia.J Hand Ther. 2015 May 28. pii: S0894-1130(15)00095-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2015.05.003. [Epub ahead of print]

Hong CJ, Kaur MN, Farrokhyar F, Thoma A. Accuracy and completeness of electronic medical records obtained from referring physicians in a Hamilton, Ontario, plastic surgery practice: A prospective feasibility study. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2015 Spring;23(1):48-50.

LeBlanc JE, MacDermid JC, Faber KJ, Drosdowech DS, Athwal GS: Outcomes following Hemiarthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fracture are Significantly Affected by Hand Dominance. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2015 Aug;29(8):379-83. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000000294.

Li YK, Alolabi N, Kaur MN, Thoma A. A systematic review of utilities in hand surgery literature. J Hand Surg Am. 2015 May;40(5):997-1005. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2015.01.020. Epub 2015 Mar 11.

MacDermid JC, Khaldihar L, Birmingham T, Athwal G:  Validity of the QuickDASH in Patients with Shoulder Related Disorders Undergoing Surgery. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 2015 Jan;45(1):25-36. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5033.

MacDermid JC, Silbernagel KG:  Selection of outcome measures in tendinopathy: A framework and summary of selected measures. In press Journal of Orthoapedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 2015.

Mehta SP, MacDermid JC, Richardson J, MacIntyre NJ, Grewal R: A systematic review of the measurement properties of the patient-rated wrist evaluation. Journal of Orthoapedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 2015 Apr;45(4):289-98. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5236.

Mehta S, MacDermid JC, McIntyre N, Richardson J, Grewal R:   Baseline Pain Intensity is a Predictor of Chronic Pain in Individuals with Distal Radius Fracture. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 2015 Feb;45(2):119-27. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5129. Epub 2015 Jan 8.

Mehta S, MacDermid J, Richardson J, MacIntyre N, Grewal R. Reliability and Validity of Selected Measures Associated with Increased Fall Risk in Females over the Age of 45 Years with Distal Radius Fracture - A Pilot Study. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2015 Jan-Mar;28(1):2-9; quiz 10. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2014.09.009. Epub 2014 Oct 7.

Panchapakesan V, Zhong T, Forrest CR, Pusic AL, Thoma A. Psychometrics: Essential for Valid, Reliable, and Responsive Measurement in the Development of Patient-reported Outcome Instruments in Plastic Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2015 Jan 8;2(12):e280. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000197. eCollection 2014 Dec.

Roy JS,  Braën C,  Leblond J,  Desmeules F, Dionne CE, MacDermid JC,  Bureau NJ, Frémont P: Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography, MRI and MR arthrography in the characterisation of rotator cuff disorders: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2015 Feb 11. pii: bjsports-2014-094148. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094148. [Epub ahead of print].

St-Pierre C, Desmeules F, Dionne CE, Frémont P, MacDermid JC, Roy JS. Psychometric properties of self-reported questionnaires for the evaluation of symptoms and functional limitations in individuals with rotator cuff disorders: a systematic review. Disabil Rehabil. 2015 Mar 24:1-20. [Epub ahead of print]

Szekeres M, MacDermid JC, King GJ, Grewal R. The relationship between the Patient-rated Ulnar Nerve Evaluation and the common impairment measures of grip strength, pinch strength, and sensation.J Hand Ther. 2015 Jan-Mar;28(1):39-44; quiz 45. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2014.10.003. Epub 2014 Oct 17.

Szekeres M, MacDermid JC, Rooney J: A New Method for Measuring Forearm Rotation using a Modified Finger Goniometer. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2015 Feb 20. pii: S0894-1130(15)00035-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2015.01.012. [Epub ahead of print].

Vincent JI, MacDermid JC, King GJ, Grewal R. Rasch analysis of the Patient Rated Elbow Evaluation questionnaire. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2015 Jun 20;13:84. doi: 10.1186/s12955-015-0275-8.

2014

Arumugam V, Selvam S, MacDermid JC: Radial nerve mobilization reduces lateral elbow pain and provides short-term relief in computer users. Open Orthopedics Journal. 2014 Oct 17;8:368-71. doi: 10.2174/1874325001408010368. eCollection 2014.

Boudreault J, Desmeules F, Roy JS, Dionne C, Frémont P, MacDermid JC:The efficacy of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2014 Apr;46(4):294-306. doi: 10.2340/16501977-1800.

Chan K, MacDermid JC, Faber KJ, King GJ, Athwal GS. Can we treat select terrible triad injuries nonoperatively? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014 Jul;472(7):2092-9.

Cheung D, MacDermid JC, Walton D, Grewal R: The construct validity and responsiveness of sensory tests in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome doi: 10.2174/1874325001408010100. Open Orthopaedics May 16;8:100-7, 2014

Chiavaras MM, Jacobson JA, Carlos R, Maida E, Bentley T, Simunovic N, Swinton M, Bhandari M. Impact of platelet rich plasma over alternative therapies in patients with lateral epicondylitis (IMPROVE): Protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled study: A multicenter randomized trial comparing autologous platelet rich plasma, autologous whole blood, dry needle tendon fenestration and physical therapy exercises along on pain and quality of life in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Acad Radiol. 2014 Sep;21(9):1144-55

Chiavaras MM, Jacobson JA, Yablon CM, Brigido MK, Girish G. Pitfalls in wrist and hand ultrasound. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2014 Sep;203(3):531-40. doi: 10.2214/AJR.14.12711. Review.

Constand M, Law M,  Bello-Haas V, MacDermid JC: Patient-centered care and distal radius fracture outcomes: A prospective cohort study analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2014.04.001. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2014 Jul-Sep;27(3):177-83; quiz 184. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2014.04.001. Epub 2014 Apr 23.

Daneshvar P, Chan R, MacDermid J, Grewal R.The Effects of Ulnar Styloid Fractures on Patients Sustaining Distal Radius Fractures. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.05.032. Journal of Hand Surgery, 2014 Oct;39(10):1915-20

DeMatteo C, Bain JR, Gjertsen D, Harper JA.‘Wondering and waiting’ after obstetrical brachial plexus injury: Are we underestimating the effects of the traumatic experience on the families? Plas Surg Autumn 2014; 22(3):183-7

Dewan N, MacDermid JC: Effect of box taping as an adjunct to stretching-strengthening exercise program in correction of scapular alignment in people with forward shoulder posture – A randomised trial. ISRN Rehabilitation, Article ID 510137, 12 pages, 2014

Jacobson JA, Chiavaras MM, Lawton JM, Downie B, Yablon CM, Lawton J. Radial collateral ligament of the elbow: sonographic characterization with cadaveric dissection correlation and magnetic resonance arthrography. J Ultrasound Med. 2014 Jun;33(6):1041-8. doi: 10.7863/ultra.33.6.1041.

Kaur M, MacDermid JC, Stratford P, Woodhouse L, Grewal R:  Functional outcomes post-radial head arthroplasty: a systematic review of literature. doi: 10.1177/1758573214524934. Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Epub March 3, 2014 vol. 6:( 2), 108-118, 2014.

Kaur M, Sprague S, Ignacy T, Thoma A, Bhandari M, Farrokhyar F. How to optimize participant retention and complete follow-up in surgical research. Can J Surg. 2014 Dec;57(6):420-7. No abstract available.

Khadilkar L, MacDermid JC, Sinden K, Birmingham T, Athwal G: An analysis of functional shoulder movements during task performance using Dartfish movement analysis software. doi: 10.4103/0973-6042.131847  International Journal of Shoulder Surgery, 8(1):1-9, 2014.

Lalone E, Grewal R,  MacDermid JC: A cohort study of one-year functional and radiographic outcomes following intra-articular distal radius fractures. Hand 9 (2) 237-243, 2014.

Lutz K, Yeoh KM, MacDermid JC, Symonette C, Grewal R. Complications Associated With Operative Versus Nonsurgical Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures in Patients Aged 65 Years and Older. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.04.018. Journal of Hand Surgery (Am) Epub May 29, 2014.

MacDermid JC: Patient-Reported Outcomes: State-of-the-Art Hand Surgery and Future Applications. Hand Clinics 2014 Aug;30(3):293-304. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2014.04.003.

Mehta S, MacDermid JC, Richardson J, McIntyre N, Grewal R: A Structured Literature Synthesis to Identify Measures for Screening the Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Patients Following Distal Radius Fracture. DOI:10.1615/CritRevPhysRehabilMed.2014011647 Critical Reviews in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 26(3-4):145-164, 2014.

Ng WK, Kaur MN, Thoma A. Long-term outcomes of major upper extremity replantations. Can J Plast Surg. 2014 Spring;22(1):9-13.

Shaik SS, MacDermid JC, Birmingham T, Grewal R, Farooq B: Short-term sensory and cutaneous vascular responses to therapeutic ultrasound in the forearms of healthy volunteers. doi:10.1186/2050-5736-2-10 Journal of Therapeutic Ultrasound.  2014 Jun 2;2:10

Somerville LE, Willits K, Johnson AM, Litchfield R, LeBel ME, Moro J, Bryant D. Clinical Assessment of Physical Examination Maneuvers for Rotator Cuff Lesions. Am J Sports Med. 2014 Jun 16;42(8):1911-1919. [Epub ahead of print].

Thoma A. ACP Journal Club. Methylprednisolone injections reduced carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms at 10 weeks and surgery at 1 year. Ann Intern Med. 2014 Jan 21;160(2):JC11. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-160-2-201401210-02011.

Thoma A, Kaur M, Ignacy TA, Levis C, Martin S, Duku E, Haines T. Health Related Quality of Life in Patients undergoing Palmar Fasciectomy for Dupuytren's Disease. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014 Jun;133(6):1411-9.

Thoma A, Kaur MN, Ignacy TA, Levis C, Martin S, Duku E, Haines T. Psychometric properties of health-related quality of life instruments in patients undergoing palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s Disease: A prospective study. Hand (N Y). 2014 Jun;9(2):166-74.

Toliopoulos P, Desmeules F, Boudreault J, Roy JS, Frémont P, MacDermid JC, Dionne CE. Efficacy of surgery for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a systematic review.Clin Rheumatol. 2014 Oct;33(10):1373-83. doi: 10.1007/s10067-014-2563-9. Epub 2014 Mar 30.

Uddin Z, MacDermid JC, Ham HH. Test–retest reliability and validity of normative cut-offs of the two devices measuring touch threshold: Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test and Pressure-Specified Sensory Device. Hand Therapy 2014, Vol. 19(1) 3–10.

Valdes K, MacDermid J, Algar L, Connors B, Cyr LR, Dickmann S,  Lucado AM,  Naughton N: Hand Therapist use of Patient Report Outcome (PRO) in Practice:  Journal of Hand Therapy. 2014 Jul 18. pii: S0894-1130(14)00076-3. DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2014.07.001

Vignesh KN, McDowall A, Simunovic N, Bhandari M, Choudur HN.Efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle treatment of calcific tendinitis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015 Jan;204(1):148-52. doi: 10.2214/AJR.13.11935.

Vincent JI,  MacDermid JC, Michlovitz SL, Rafuse R, Wells-Rowsell C, Wong O, Bisbee L: The Push off Test: Development of a Simple, Reliable Test of Upper Extremity Weight-Bearing Capability. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2014 Jul-Sep;27(3):185-90; quiz 191. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Mar 12.

Voineskos SH, Coroneos CJ, Thoma A, Bhandari M. Measuring and understanding treatment effectiveness in hand surgery. Hand Clin. 2014 Aug;30(3):285-292.

Tools & Measures

Tools or Products of Research

Outcome Measures

Student Opportunities

The MacHANd Group offers research opportunities for residents, fellows, medical students, occupational therapy students, physiotherapy students, and other health sciences students.

Students may develop their own projects or participate in existing research projects.
2013 HHS Video: MacHAND Lab student project under the supervision of Dr. Joy MacDermid.

2014 HHS Video: MacHAND Lab student project under the supervision of Dr. Joy MacDermid.

Please complete the MacHANd Student Internship Inquiry Form and e-mail it to Margaret Lomotan at lomotam@mcmaster.ca

General Information

Mailing Address:

MacHANd (c/o Margaret Lomotan)
School of Rehabilitation Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Institute of Applied Health Sciences,
Room 403, 1400 Main St. W. Hamilton, ON L8S 1C7

Phone:

(905) 525-9140 Ext: 27328


Fax:

(905) 524-0069


Email:

lomotam@mcmaster.ca


Directions:

Directions to IAHS