Johanne Higgins, Ph. D.

Formation

• B. Sc. Ergothérapie, Université Laval (1995)
• M. Sc. Rehabilitation Science, Université McGill (1998)
• Ph. D. Rehabilitation Science, Université McGill (2008)
• Post-doctorat, Département de Médecine Expérimentale, Université McGill (2009)

Principaux projets en cours

• Soulager la douleur chronique chez les aînés à l’aide de la stimulation transcrânienne par courant direct.
• S’entraîner au piano pour mieux composer avec la sclérose en plaques.
• Implanter la technologie et l’intelligence artificielle au quotidien des clientèles de l’IRGLM pour un traitement optimal (dosage, progression, personnalisation) : Ensemble faisons plus!
• Développement et utilisation d’un gant robotisé pour la réadaptation de la main des personnes hémiparétiques.

Publications choisies

• Elfassy C, Wagner L, Janelle C, Hamdy R, Hyer L, Fishman F, Freese K, James M, Zlotolow D, Montpetit K, Higgins J, Snider L, Dahan-Oliel N. Initial psychometric evaluation of an upper extremity Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita-specific measure using Rasch analysis. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2026 Apr 20: S0894-1130(26)00012-8.
• Auger, L.-P.; Quintal, I.; Goulet, K.; Miron, M.; La Charité-Harbec, S.; Rochette, A.; Higgins, J. Adaptation, Cross-Cultural Validation and Assessment of Measurement Properties of the French-Canadian Version of the Knowledge, Comfort, Approach and Attitude Towards Sexuality Scale (KCAASS) for Use in Stroke Rehabilitation.Disabilities 2025, 5, 106.
• Proulx CE*, Louis Jean MT, Higgins J, Gagnon DH. Bridging Research and Practice: A Preliminary Detailed Analysis of Current Upper Limb Occupational Therapy Dose and Content in Publicly Funded Post-Stroke rehabilitation. Soumis à Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Juin 2025.
• Vakil P, Ferré P, Higgins J, Beaulieu LD, Milot MH, Boudrias MH. Descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study of rehabilitation care for poststroke users in Québec during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open. 2025 Jan 28;15(1):e082602. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082602. PMID: 39880428; PMCID: PMC11781130.
• Elfassy C, Wagner L, Higgins J, Montpetit K, Snider L, Dahan-Oliel N. Stakeholder engagement in the development of an upper extremity outcome measure for children with rare musculoskeletal conditions. Res Involv Engagem. 2023 Aug 8;9(1):64. doi: 10.1186/s40900-023-00479-6. PMID: 37553603; PMCID: PMC10408044.
• Akremi H*, Higgins J, Guediri A, Aissaoui R, Nadeau S. Seated postural organization during bilateral upper limb symmetric and asymmetric pushing tasks in individuals after stroke compared to healthy controls. Gait Posture. 2023 Jul;104:83-89. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.06.011. Epub 2023 Jun 17. PMID: 37343399.
• Proulx C*, Higgins J, Vincent C, Hewko M, Vaughan T, Gagnon D, Dany User-centered development process of an operating interface to couple a robotic glove with a virtual environment to optimize hand rehabilitation following a stroke. J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng. Apr. 2023.
• Hernandez A, Bubyr L, Archambault P, Higgins J, Levin MF, Kairy D. VR-based rehabilitation as a Feasible and Engaging Tool for the Management of Chronic Post-Stroke Upper Extremity Function Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. 27;10(3):e37506. doi: 10.2196/37506. 2022. PMID: 36166289; PMCID: PMC9555337.
• Allègue DR*, Higgins J, Sweet SN,Archambault PS, Michaud F, Miller W, Tousignant M, Kairy D. Rehabilitation of upper extremity by telerehabilitation combined with exergames in chronic stroke survivors: Preliminary findings from a feasibility clinical trial. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2022 Jun 22;9(2):e33745.
• Auger L-P, Masse J, Higgins J. Sexuality in Occupational Therapy: A Call to Action. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2022;85(9):627-628. doi:10.1177/03080226221107769
• Proulx CE*, Louis Jean MT, Higgins J, Gagnon DH, Dancause N. Somesthetic, Visual, and Auditory Feedback and Their Interaction Applied to Upper Limb Neurorehabilitation Technology: A Narrative Review to Facilitate Contextualization of Knowledge. Frontier in rehabilitation science. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fresc.2022.

Orientation des recherches

• Étude des mécanismes neurophysiologiques qui sous-tendent la récupération du membre supérieur post-AVC
• Étude des mécanismes neurophysiologiques en musculo-squelettique et douleur
• Utilisation de la stimulation cérébrale non invasive
• Utilisation de la musique pour la réadaptation
• Développement et validation de mesures avec méthodologie statistique contemporaine