
Virginia Wright, PhD
Research
Centre for Leadership:
Child Development
Research Focus:
Dr. Wright focuses on developming and validating outcome measures, as well as the effectiveness of interventions in pediatric rehabilitation. Includes gross motor measures, quality of movement, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, prosthetics, and life satisfaction.
Research/Trainee/Volunteer Opportunities:
Please visit the SPARK Lab's Work with Us page for information about current opportunities.
Education & Profession
Education:
- Ph.D., Health Research Methodology, McMaster University
- M.Sc., Design, Measurement and Evaluation, McMaster University
- B.Sc. (Physical Therapy), University of Toronto
Professional Memberships:
- Member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
University Positions / Affiliations:
- Associate Professor (status), Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto
- Assistant Professor (part-time), School of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton.
Honours and Awards:
- Bloorview Children's Hospital Foundation Chair in Paediatric Rehabilitation, 2012 - 2017
- Ann Collins Whitmore Award ($1000) as the top Canadian University research paper for 2010/1011 for: “Refining the response scale of the ABI Challenge module to enhance its ability to measure change in children and youth with an ABI.” The finalist competition was held at Canadian Physiotherapy Association Congress, May 2012. (V Wright as clinical research supervisor).
- Macarthur C, Venkatesh S, Warren D, Doerr T, Pringle D. Research and Program Evaluation Course. MScPT degree. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto.
- Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Career Development Award (2007 - 2011)
- 2008 Exceptional Achievement Award (Research). Department of Physical Therapy. University of Toronto.
Innovation
Assessment Measures Developed:
- Challenge Module. A measure of advanced motor skills for children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- Acquired Brain Injury Challenge Assessment (ABI-CA).
- Quality Function Measure (QFM) for ambulatory children with CP.
- Prosthetic Upper Extremity Functional Status Index (PUFI).
- Juvenile Arthritis Functional Status Index (JASI).
- Barefoot Gait Assessment (BGA) for ambulatory children with CP.
Current Projects
Appointments at Holland Bloorview
- Evaluating current questionnaires of client and caregiver involvement in appointments
- Ratings of experiences in appointments
- What do children and youth/parents think about their appointments at Holland Bloorview?
BeFAST or BeSTRONG
BeFAST Study
Concussion Assessment and Evaluation
- Establishing cut-points for the response options of the HeadsUP Test, a new measure for use with youth post-concussion
- The Heads Up Test Project: Development of the items for an advance motor skill test for youth who have had a concussion
Concussion Baseline Testing Study
Concussion Management and Rehabilitation
Feelings about balance (parents)
Implications for Physical Rehabilitation
Life satisfaction
Lokomat intervention study
Mobility
- How does a ride-on toy power participation in a preschooler?
- Evaluation of a new walking skills test for young children who need support to walk
Paediatric ASPL knee joint
Physical Skills Measurement
The Adult Low Cost (LC) Knee
TimeTogether
Publications
Click to see Dr. Wright's Publications in the SPARK Lab.
Contact Info
Contact Information:
Bloorview Research Institute
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
150 Kilgour Road Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8
Tel: 416-424-3824
Fax: 416-425-1634
Contact Email:
vwright@hollandbloorview.ca