PhD Oral Exam - Tristan Castonguay, Health and Exercise Science

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

This thesis advanced the concept of making the rehabilitation process individualized. The overarching goal was to improve rehabilitation outcomes by combining subjective and objective data to create evidence-informed treatment strategies.

Infrared thermography (IRT) was explored as a non-invasive, easily accessible technology capable of capturing asymmetries in skin surface temperature that can be caused by changes in local blood flow, inflammation, or muscular activity.

The critically appraised topic on fractures and meniscus case study demonstrated that IRT can effectively monitor the physiological stages of healing and track recovery over time through serial imaging. While not intended for diagnosis, IRT offers clinicians valuable complementary information to traditional assessments.

The thesis emphasized the importance of a patient-centered approach in rehabilitation. Focus group interviews with athletes experiencing chronic pain revealed three consistent needs: comprehensive care, being listened to, and minimizing reliance on medication. Incorporating these values into clinical practice could help with therapeutic alliance, patient empowerment, and greater adherence to rehabilitation plans, all of which are key determinants of successful outcomes.

Finally, a quasi-experimental study using a capsaicin-induced pain model demonstrated that individuals with high pain catastrophizing exhibited greater pain, temperature, and flare responses than low-catastrophizing individuals. This finding provides objective evidence that psychological traits can influence peripheral physiological responses, reinforcing the necessity of addressing biopsychosocial factors in rehabilitation.

Text Box 48, TextboxTogether, these studies highlight that combining patient-centered care with objective monitoring technologies such as infrared thermography can enhance the precision, adaptability, and effectiveness of rehabilitation, ultimately promoting safer and more individualized recovery pathways.