Ruth Barclay, PhD, MHSc, BMR (PT)

Research

Dr. Ruth Barclay’s research explores health-related quality of life, community ambulation, and participation in stroke recovery and aging populations. She also investigates response shift in health-related quality of life, and winter walking - a topic particularly relevant to mobility in colder climates. Barclay is studying the use of telerehabilitation and is currently Riverview Health Centre Chair in Telerehabilitation.

Barclay is site investigator for 3 telerehabilitation-based multi-site randomized controlled trials. She is a member of CanStroke Recovery Trials platform. She received funding from Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Her work contributes to improving rehabilitation strategies, enhancing mobility, and promoting independence in aging populations and individuals recovering from stroke.

Research affiliations

  • Riverview Health Centre Chair in Telerehabilitation
  • Research affiliate, Riverview Health Centre
  • Research affiliate, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba
  • Member, CanStroke Recovery Trials platform
  • Member, International Society for Quality of Life Research
  • Member, Cochrane Collaboration

Keywords

  • Community ambulation
  • Older adults
  • Quality of life
  • Response shift
  • Stroke rehabilitation
  • Telerehabilitation
  • Winter walking

Undergraduate research opportunity: Undergraduate Research Awards 2026

Summary of expected work
This learning opportunity will allow the applicant to assist with numerous ongoing research studies and experience multiple rehabilitation research methods. 

The applicant will have the opportunity to create visuals and infographics based on quantitative and qualitative study results, assist with qualitative analysis, initiate literature searches, summarize related research articles, perform data input, and be exposed to the day to day running of multi-site randomized controlled trials. Ongoing studies focus on telerehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation and outdoor walking for people with outdoor walking difficulties. 

The applicant will gain an appreciation of rehabilitation research and gain research experience and skills.

Award contribution: $1,000

Biography

Ruth Barclay is a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Manitoba. Barclay has clinical experience as a physiotherapist, particularly in stroke rehabilitation. She has presented her research internationally at conferences focused on quality of life, aging, and physiotherapy.

She earned a PhD in community health sciences from the University of Manitoba in 2008, a Master of Health Sciences from McMaster University in 1995, and a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in physical therapy from the University of Manitoba in 1987.

Awards

  • Regional poster award winner, North America Caribbean Region, World Physiotherapy conference, Tokyo Japan, May 2025
  • Outstanding Poster Award - Annual Conference of the International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL), Prague, Czech Republic, October 2022
  • Faculty of 1000 Recognition:
    • The article "Response shift: a brief overview and proposed research priorities" published in Quality of Life Research in 2009 was distinguished for its exceptional significance within its field by the F1000 Faculty.
  • International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL) 2009 Article of the Year Award:
    • Conferred for the outstanding contribution of the article "Response shift: a brief overview and proposed research priorities," featured in Quality of Life Research journal.
    • Awarded during the ISOQOL conference in October 2010, held in London, UK.

Contact us

College of Rehabilitation Sciences
P304 - 770 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2 Canada

cors.info@umanitoba.ca
204-789-3897
204-789-3927