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Research
Research is at the heart of all ThinkFirst programs. By grounding our program activities in quality, peer-reviewed research, we can develop our educational injury prevention materials and approaches based on the best available evidence.
We also sponsor research about ThinkFirst programs to ensure that they stay current, relevant, and -most importantly- effective at teaching children and youth about the importance of brain and spine health and injury prevention.
Click on the links below for research articles on ThinkFirst programs, and research that is important to our work in injury prevention:
Evaluations of ThinkFirst programs
ThinkFirst for Kids Curriculum
- Evaluation of the ThinkFirst for Kids Injury Prevention Curriculum for grades 7/8. Authors: M. Vassilyadi, C. Duquette, M.F. Shamji, S. Orders, S. Dagenais. Published In: Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences 2009; 36: 761-768.
- Preventing Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries An Assessment of Injury-related Behavioural Intentions in Primary School Children Using Health Scope. (Poster) 2005.
Download - Evaluation of the ThinkFirst for Kids Injury Prevention Curriculum for Primary Students. A. Greene, P. Barnett, J. Crossen, G. Sexton, P. Ruzicka, E. Neuwelt. Published In: Injury Prevention 2002: 8: 257-258.
Download - Partnering for Injury Prevention: Evaluation of a Curriculum-Based Intervention Program Among Elementary School Children. Authors: L. S. Gresham, D. L. Zirkle, S. Tolchin, C. Jones, A. Maroufi, J. Miranda. Published In: Journal of Pediatric Nursing 2001; 16(2): 79-87.
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- Evaluation of the Brain Day Educational Program on the Increase in Safety Knowledge in Canadian Children. J. Josse, J. Russell, M. Bharucha, A. Macpherson. 2007
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A Little Respect: ThinkFirst
- A pilot-phase evaluation confirmed that this instructional DVD effectively taught ski and snowboard safety lessons to school-aged children, and that "A Little Respect" may be a cost-effective way to prevent ski and snowboard injuries in this population. Authors: M. Cusimano, J. Josse. 2006
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Smart Hockey
- Evaluation of the ThinkFirst Canada, Smart Hockey, brain and spinal cord injury prevention video. Authors: D.J. Cook, M. D. Cusimano, C.H. Tator, M.L. Chipman. Published In: Injury Prevention 2003; 9(4): 361-366.
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Prevention of spinal cord injuries caused by diving: Evaluation of the distribution and usage of a diving safety video in high schools. Authors: V.M. Bhide, V.E. Edmonds, C.H. Tator. Published In: Injury Prevention 2000; 6: 154-156.
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ThinkFirst for Teens (USA) Injury Prevention Program: Evidence Based Practice - Are we making a difference? D. Gerhardstein. Published In: SCI Nursing., 24.3 (October) 2007.
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ThinkFirst General
- Spinal Injuries in Canadian Ice Hockey: An update to 2005. Authors: C.H. Tator, C. Provvidenza, J.D. Cassidy. Published In: Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 2009; 19: 451-456.
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Evaluations of ThinkFirst Programs. C. Provvidenza, C. Tator. 2004 (updated 2006).
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An Evaluation of ThinkFirst Saskatchewan: A Head and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program. Author: M.L. Wesner. Published In: Canadian Journal of Public Health 2003;94(2): 115-120.
Download - Catastrophic Sports and Recreation Injuries in Canada: Causes and Prevention, a book edited by Dr. Charles Tator, was published by the University of Toronto Press in December 2008. Through surveys conducted in 1986, 1989, 1992, and 1995, information on the incidence, prevalence, types and causes of catastrophic injuries in over 50 sports and recreational activities in Ontario were collected for this project.
Current Research
- ThinkFirst Ottawa, in conjunction with Dr. Blaine Hoshizaki at the Neurotrauma Impact Science Laboratory at the University of Ottawa, has undertaken a new research project entitled "Needs Assessment for a Toddler Winter Activity Protection Headgear." The purpose of the project is to identify the optimal dynamic characteristics for headgear for toddlers participating in winter activities such as tobogganing.
- ONF Injury Prevention Evaluation (longitudinal study to determine whether gains in safety knowledge and changes in behavioural intention achieved through the TD ThinkFirst for Kids program actually lead to reduced injury incidence rates over time). PI: M. Cusimano.
- ThinkFirst tracks the incidence of spinal cord injuries in all levels of organized hockey, aided by the cooperation of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Findings are periodically reported to Hockey Canada and more broadly through journal publications and media reports.