Browsing by Author "Culos-Reed, S. Nicole"

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    Aerobic Exercise and Hippocampal Plasticity in Young Adults with Depression
    (2014-06-26) Courtright, Allegra; MacMaster, Frank; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
    Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant public health problem. Exercise has shown promise in reducing symptoms and promoting brain plasticity in MDD. A relationship between symptom severity, hippocampus volume and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) concentration, a marker of neuron density/viability, has been shown. The relationship of these variables to fitness (as assessed by volume of oxygen uptake - VO2 max) is underexplored. In this study, unmedicated, inactive young adults with MDD and healthy controls underwent neuroimaging, fitness and clinical assessments at baseline and after 12-weeks. After 12-weeks of aerobic exercise, VO2max increased and depression scores decreased relative to baseline in participants with MDD. No changes in hippocampal volume or NAA levels were observed, compared to controls. This finding may have resulted from small samples and high variability on the measures of interest. Depression symptom decreases were not related with VO2max changes or exercise compliance.
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    Affect and Mindfulness as Predictors of Change in Mood Disturbance, Stress Symptoms, and Quality of Life in a Community-Based Yoga Program for Cancer Survivors
    (Hindawi Limited, 2013) Ekkekakis, Panteleimon; Carlson, Linda E.; Mackenzie, Michael J.; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Paskevich, David M.
    Little attention has been paid to the psychological determinants by which benefits are accrued via yoga practice in cancer-related clinical settings. Using a longitudinal multilevel modeling approach, associations between affect, mindfulness, and patient-reported mental health outcomes, including mood disturbance, stress symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQL), were examined in an existing seven-week yoga program for cancer survivors. Participants (N = 66) were assessed before and after the yoga program and at three- and six-month follow-ups. Decreases in mood disturbance and stress symptoms and improvements in HRQL were observed upon program completion. Improvements in mood disturbance and stress symptoms were maintained at the three- and six-month follow-ups. HRQL exhibited further improvement at the three-month follow-up, which was maintained at the six-month follow-up. Improvements in measures of well-being were predicted by initial positive yoga beliefs and concurrently assessed affective and mindfulness predictor variables. Previous yoga experience, affect, mindfulness, and HRQL were related to yoga practice maintenance over the course of the study.
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    Affect and Mindfulness as Predictors of Change in Mood Disturbance, Stress Symptoms, and Quality of Life in a Community-Based Yoga Program for Cancer Survivors
    (2013-05-23) Mackenzie, Michael J.; Carlson, Linda E.; Ekkekakis, Panteleimon; Paskevich, David M.; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
    Little attention has been paid to the psychological determinants by which benefits are accrued via yoga practice in cancer-related clinical settings. Using a longitudinal multilevel modeling approach, associations between affect, mindfulness, and patient-reported mental health outcomes, including mood disturbance, stress symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQL), were examined in an existing seven-week yoga program for cancer survivors. Participants were assessed before and after the yoga program and at three- and six-month follow-ups. Decreases in mood disturbance and stress symptoms and improvements in HRQL were observed upon program completion. Improvements in mood disturbance and stress symptoms were maintained at the three- and six-month follow-ups. HRQL exhibited further improvement at the three-month follow-up, which was maintained at the six-month follow-up. Improvements in measures of well-being were predicted by initial positive yoga beliefs and concurrently assessed affective and mindfulness predictor variables. Previous yoga experience, affect, mindfulness, and HRQL were related to yoga practice maintenance over the course of the study.
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    Aging Female Athletes: The Challenges of Performance, Policy and the Pursuit of Health
    (2016-02-02) Job McIntosh, Christiane; Dr. Brown, Douglas; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Dr. Vertinsky, Patricia; Dr. Doyle-Baker, Patricia
    The growing population of older competitive athletes presents an opportunity for exploring the ways older people negotiate the social construction of aging. It also presents an opportunity to explore the function of high-performance physical activity in aging. This dissertation seeks to investigate the narratives of women (60+) as they discuss their pursuit of sport and activity at the highest levels. Specifically, I explore how older women construct and maintain an athletic identity, in a Canadian sporting culture where policies supporting both sport for participation and sport for performance have impacted opportunities. For women beyond menopause, it is evident that individuals can achieve significant health and strength benefits from exercise and participation in sport. In Masters Championships, in a variety of sports, senior women athletes are demonstrating that they do not need to accept a major decline of aerobic power and muscle strength as an inevitable feature of aging. They are demonstrating that they are capable of conditioning their bodies through rigorous training regimens (Kirby & Kluge, 2013; Pfister, 2012). They are a testament to the remarkable resilience of the human body when it is properly maintained and to the role of sport in successful aging (Akkari, Machin & Tanaka, 2015; Baker, Horton & Weir, 2010; Bülow & Söderqvist, 2014). This research highlights how the experiences and embodied knowledge of the participants in my study have facilitated their continued participation in sport and the maintenance of an athletic identity across the course of their lives. Specifically, I explore the ways participants maintain their sporting bodies and athletic identities. My findings show that my participants tend to identify as outsiders within the current Canadian sporting context. They also reveal that healthy living discourses were an important motivation for prolonged involvement in sport. A considerable focus of this dissertation is directed at understanding how participants construct and maintain identities that address the discourses of sport for performance and sport for health. In doing this I show that Masters sport provides a site for the formation of multiple interpretations and constructions of sporting identities throughout the course of one’s life.
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    Barriers, Facilitators, and Experiences with Exercise Among Individuals of South Asian Heritage Living with and Beyond Cancer
    (2022-07-08) Bansal, Mannat; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Bridel, William; King-Shier, Kathryn; Chowdhury, Tanvir Turin
    Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the physical activity (PA) experiences, as well as needs, barriers, and facilitators to exercise, among individuals of South Asian heritage diagnosed with cancer. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used for this study. Individuals of South Asian heritage were recruited via a mix of convenience sampling and purposive sampling, with outreach via radio, posters in community settings, and via participants in current exercise oncology studies. Inclusion criteria included being over the age of 18; diagnosed with any cancer type and stage; pre, during, or post-treatment; able to speak English, Hindi, or Punjabi; and self-identified as South Asian. Data for this study was collected via semi-structured interviews conducted in either Hindi, Punjabi, or English. Interviews were transcribed verbatim in the original language and then analysed using conventional content analysis. The codes created through analysis were then translated and back-translated to ensure accuracy. Codes were then organized into themes and categories. Results: Eight participants were recruited, with 5 interviews in Punjabi and 3 interviews in English. The three themes that were created from the participant interviews include: 1) Culture, 2) Informational Needs, and 3) The Nature of Exercise Oncology Programming. Within these themes, categories included PA needs, barriers, and facilitators. Conclusion: Participants’ perspectives provided insights into the PA experiences, barriers, facilitators, and needs of people of South Asian heritage living with and beyond cancer. The results can be used to inform the tailoring of exercise oncology resources to better support physical activity for this population.
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    Co-Creating the international Pediatric Oncology Exercise Guidelines (iPOEG) Toolkit with End-Users
    (2021-07-16) McLaughlin, Emma; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Guilcher, Gregory; Zwicker, Jennifer; Laing, Catherine
    The international Pediatric Oncology Exercise Guidelines (iPOEG) support movement among children and adolescents affected by cancer. Knowledge translation efforts are needed to ensure that those who will use and/or benefit from the iPOEG have access to it. This thesis used an integrated knowledge translation approach within the Knowledge to Action (KTA) Framework, to engage end-users (i.e., professionals and patients/families) to: (i) identify the types of resources needed, (ii) co-create resources and content, and (iii) co-create dissemination plans. End-users indicated requiring resources such as posters, infographics, social media posts, and videos, and co-created resource content covering quick tips to get active and movement-related education and information. End-users suggested disseminating the finalized resources (i.e., iPOEG Toolkits) using multiple modalities, including champions within each end-user group, education sessions, group discussions, emails, and social media. Co-creating the iPOEG Toolkit and dissemination plan represents an important phase within the KTA to promote the reach of the iPOEG.
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    EXERCISE in pediatric autologous stem cell transplant patients: a randomized controlled trial protocol
    (BioMed Central, 2012-09-10) Khan, Faisal M.; Chamorro-Vina, Carolina; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Guilcher, Gregory M.T.; Mazil, Karen; Schulte, Fiona S. M.; Wurz, Amanda; Williamson, Tanya; Reimer, Raylene A.
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    Exploring the Relationships between Yoga Practice, Affect and Attention Regulation, Health Outcomes and Program Adherence in Cancer Survivors
    (2012-11-16) Mackenzie, Michael; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
    Yoga practice has been reported to lead to improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQL), psychological functioning, and symptom indices in cancer survivors. Yoga is defined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as a path towards, “stilling the fluctuations of the mind (YS I.2).” Importantly, meditative states experienced within yoga practice are correlated to neurophysiological systems that moderate both positive affect and internalised attention. Despite preliminary findings, little attention has been paid to the psychophysiological mechanisms by which benefits are accrued via yoga practice. The impetus for the present studies was to explore the mechanisms by which yoga practice stills the fluctuations of the mind in cancer survivors. Three studies examined: 1) the clinical significance of patient–reported outcomes in yoga interventions for cancer survivors; 2) longitudinal associations between yoga participation, affect, and mindfulness as predictors of mood, stress and HRQL outcomes in an ongoing community-based yoga program; 3) associations between valence, activation, attention, perceived exertion, cardiac activity, and participant descriptions of a single yoga session for cancer survivors. The clinical significance review confirmed yoga practice was related to clinically significant improvements in HRQL, psychological health, and symptom experience. Longitudinal findings suggest improvements in mood, stress and HRQL were related to affect and attention (mindfulness) regulation, but not previous yoga experience. Previous yoga experience, affect and mindfulness were related to yoga practice maintenance. Lab study findings suggest both affect and attention improved in a single yoga session and were related to cardiac activity. Participant descriptions confirmed these findings and further suggested regulation of attention via breath awareness elicited positive affective responses to yoga. This research develops current theory in yoga practice, affect and attention regulation by modelling processes and outcomes, resulting in a detailed exploration of yoga in cancer settings. Examining these proposed theoretically-based mechanisms for yoga’s salutary effects enables greater understanding not only of “if” yoga works, but also “how.” This knowledge can be used to develop innovative yoga interventions with the express aim of improving mental health and HRQL in cancer survivors.
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    Head and Neck Cancer Survivors' Exercise Preferences and Barriers Before and After Participation in an Exercise Intervention
    (2016) Jackson, Colleen; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Lau, Harold; Bridel, William; Pelletier, Guy; Moules, Nancy
    Purpose: This study examined the exercise preferences and barriers of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors in relation to exercise experience. Methodology: Participants from the ENHANCE trial (n=22) completed questionnaires on exercise preferences and barriers, which were further explored in semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants (n=17). Results: Before participation in the ENHANCE program, lack of interest and time were the primary exercise barriers. After participation, there was a significant decrease in typical barriers including lack of interest (p=.008)), exercise not a priority (p=.039), and not in routine (p=.004). Participants also reported significant increases in preferences for engaging in exercise at a cancer centre (p=.031), and with other survivors (p=.016). Four higher-order themes emerged from interview data analysis pertaining to preferences (exercise types, company, supervision, and logistics), and three higher-order themes regarding barriers (physical, psychological and external). Significance: The results identify key factors for effective HNC exercise program design.
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    Non-Surgical Management of the Medial Collateral Ligament of the Knee: Understanding Adherence to Bracing Treatment
    (2022-11-04) Hunter, Dana Jaclyn; Mohtadi, Nicholas G; Black, Amanda M; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Lun, Victor M.Y.
    This thesis used a multimethod study design informed by principals of patient-oriented research to understand the predictors, facilitators, and barriers to adherence to a six-week knee bracing protocol for acute medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries. The quantitative component aimed to measure adherence to the treatment and explored potential demographic and clinical predictors of adherence (i.e., age, diagnosis, pain, brace satisfaction, overall knee score). The qualitative component used semi-structured interviews with patients to provide an in-depth exploration of barriers and facilitators to brace-wearing. The interview guide and analysis were considered within a postpositivist worldview and were informed by two patient partners with relevant recent experience with non-surgical management of the MCL. Grounded theory was used to inductively create categories, codes, and themes to provide an understanding of brace-wearing adherence. The findings from the quantitative study yielded no significant predictors of adherence at any phase. The qualitative study produced a patient-centered model of brace-wearing adherence and demonstrated how the complex balance between the factors affected patients’ decision to wear the brace. Five core categories were identified to classify the diverse facilitators and barriers to brace-wearing: patient factors, clinical context, treatment factors, injury factors, and external factors. Patient-specific facilitators were crucial to increasing brace-wearing, especially having a strong desire to heal, experience with similar treatments, a good understanding of the purpose of the treatment, being of older age, and using positive coping mechanisms. Other facilitators of brace adherence were identified as positive social support, frequent clinical follow-ups, building effective relationships with clinicians, and higher brace satisfaction (i.e., ease of use and efficiency). Key contributors to reduced brace-wearing adherence were recognized as low treatment satisfaction (i.e., treatment duration and brace discomfort), certain sleeping habits, symptom improvement, and interpersonal hindrances (e.g., negative affect, low resilience, depression, anxiety).
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    Objective Causes of Cancer-Related Fatigue: Roles of Neuromuscular Dysfunction and Sleep Disorders
    (2016) Medysky, Mary; Millet, Guillaume; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Lianne, Tomfohr; Chester, Ho
    Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common and debilitating symptom of cancer-treatment, described as a severe, feeling of fatigue, not improved by rest. A number of factors contribute to the occurrence of CRF. It has been observed using a variety of subjective scales, focusing on the psychological aspect. Few studies have assessed if neuromuscular function is related to CRF. It is unclear if sleep disorders, are associated with CRF. The purposes of this thesis were to 1) examine if neuromuscular variables are related to subjective feelings of fatigue and 2) determine if sleep disturbances are associated with CRF in cancer patients and survivors. Independent t-tests found no significant differences between subjective fatigued and non-fatigued groups in both neuromuscular and sleep parameters. However, sleep efficiency had a medium significant correlation with FACT-F scores (r= 0.31, p<0.05). While the results should be considered preliminary, it is suggested that sleep but not resistance to acute muscle fatigue due to exercise plays a role in CRF.
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    Physical Activity and Nutrition in Head and Neck Oncology: Developing a Patient-Oriented, Clinic-Supported Program
    (2015-09-18) Capozzi, Lauren Caroline; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
    Head and neck cancer is a debilitating disease associated with a variety of acute and chronic symptoms and treatment-related side effects. Effective rehabilitation programs are necessary to improve patient physical and psychosocial outcomes following diagnosis. In recent years, the role of physical activity in improving patient physical and psychosocial functioning following a cancer diagnosis has become apparent. With improved rates of survival, in particular within subgroups of head and neck cancer such as the human papilloma virus positive group, the role of physical activity is of interest The purpose of the present research was to: 1) review existing head and neck cancer and physical activity literature; 2) evaluate the feasibility of a group-based resistance training pilot program in managing symptoms and side effects following diagnosis; 3) assesses differences in physical activity participation between human papilloma virus positive versus human papilloma virus negative head and neck cancer patients; 4) examine the physical and psychosocial impact of a 12-week physical activity and lifestyle intervention during and immediately following radiation therapy; 5) and summarize the key findings from these studies to provide updated conclusions regarding the role of physical activity for head and neck cancer survivors. This work highlights the role of physical activity and a health behaviour change intervention in head and neck cancer patients from the point of diagnoses onwards. Although the randomized controlled trial conducted revealed no significant added benefit of a lifestyle intervention on lean body mass maintenance during radiation treatment, it is clear from the pilot work and reviewed literature that physical activity plays a valuable role in head and neck cancer survivorship. With low physical activity participation following diagnoses, especially among human papilloma virus negative head and neck cancer patients, targeted evidence-based clinic and community based programs designed to support patients with physical activity adoption and adherence are required. Ongoing work will be valuable in further clarifying the specific role of physical activity for these patients and how it can be tailored for maximized symptom and side effect management, ultimately improving head and neck cancer survivorship.
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    Physical activity for adolescent cancer survivors: project TREK
    (2006) Keats, Melanie Rose; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
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    Physical activity for lung cancer survivors
    (2010) Devonish, Julia Adele; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
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    The role of peers and the recreational environment in adolescent emotional safety
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2022-03-04) Wong, Janet B.; McDonough, Meghan H.; Bridel, William; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole
    Emotional safety is important for facilitating positive outcomes in afterschool programs. Emotional safety is not clearly conceptualized, and participants’ understandings of, and experiences with how the social and built environment contribute to emotional safety in afterschool programs is not well established. This qualitative case study examined early and middle adolescents’ experiences with their peers and the program environment, and how those experiences contributed to their feelings of emotional safety, from the perspective of both youth and staff working in afterschool recreational programs. Ten adolescents between the ages of 11 and 15 along with 10 staff at two afterschool programs in low-income urban neighbourhoods were interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Adolescents described emotional safety as being understood and not feeling like they had to hide their authentic selves. Youth felt emotionally safe among trusted peers and staff who would protect them, when they felt free and had choices, and when they were in spaces where they felt comfortable. Findings have implications for youth afterschool programming and among staff who work with youth.
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    Social support and body image in group physical activity programs for older women
    (Human Kinetics, 2022-07-23) Patterson, Michelle C.; McDonough, Meghan H.; Hewson, Jennifer; Culos-Reed, S. Nicole; Bennett, Erica
    Physical declines with aging may negatively impact women’s body image. Group physical activity can be a source of social support that may improve body image. We examined how social support experienced in group physical activity programs impact older women’s body image. Guided by interpretive description, 14 women aged 65 and older who participated in group physical activity classes were interviewed. While women experienced both positive and negative body image, body image was generally positively impacted by physical activity. Four themes described social support processes that affected body image in the physical activity context: fitting in and being inspired through identifying with others; what is discussed, and not discussed; providing comfort, understanding, and acceptance; and skilled and empathetic interactions with instructors. Understanding how social support in group physical activity can promote positive body image throughout aging can inform practical guidelines for facilitating and improving support in this context.