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Rotman Research Institute Annual Report 2015-2016
BRAIN HEALTH MAINTENANCE &
REHABILITATION
"We believe RWST can support people before their ability to
perform everyday tasks significantly declines," says Dr.
Dawson. "RWST helps people learn an overall strategy to
manage specific tasks in their everyday life. This strategy can
then be transferred to new difficulties that may arise."
The intervention has shown promising results. Dr. Dawson
has run a pilot study using RWST with older adults with self-
identified cognitive decline, where 61.5 percent of
participants' goals were achieved. Participants were also able
to apply problem-solving skills to other tasks. She has also
run a clinical trial using the intervention with patients who
have suffered from acquired brain injuries, including stroke.
Earlier this year, Dr. Dawson demonstrated that this training
could be incorporated into programming offered at seniors'
centres in the community. In late 2016, she is launching a
clinical trial in collaboration with Baycrest's Wagman Centre
staff and community members to evaluate RWST among
older adults with self-identified minor cognitive issues, with
support from a Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Project Grant. Her study will also evaluate the program's
feasibility when conducted by staff at seniors' centres.
