ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember your browser. We use this information to improve and customize your browsing experience, for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media, and for marketing purposes. By using this website, you accept and agree to be bound by UVic’s Terms of Use and Protection of Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the above, you must not use this website.

Skip to main content
People Departments Maps Buildings Rooms A-Z
University
of Victoria
ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ Library
Sign in Online tools Sign out
Faculty of Graduate Studies

Jamie Morrison

  • BSc (ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ, 2023)
Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Master of Science

Topic

Three-Dimensional Multiple Object Tracking and its Effects on Functional, Cognitive, and Biological Outcomes in TBI Survivors: A Patient-Oriented Study

School of Medical Sciences

Date & location

  • Wednesday, June 4, 2025
  • 2:00 P.M.
  • Medical Sciences Building, Room 310

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

  • Dr. Brian Christie, School of Medical Sciences, ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ (Supervisor)
  • Dr. Jodie Gawryluk, School of Medical Sciences, UVic (Member)
  • Dr. Sandy Shultz, School of Medical Sciences, UVic (Member)

External Examiner

  • Dr. Sam Liu, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, UVic

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Mauricio Garcia-Barrera, Department of Psychology, UVic

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability worldwide; however, accessible interventions to support recovery at chronic time points are limited. Cognitive training is a promising therapeutic avenue due to its low cost and accessibility. Three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) is a visuospatial cognitive training task that engages working memory, distributed attention, and complex motion integration – functions that are commonly impacted after TBI. This study explored the effects of a five-week, at-home 3D-MOT intervention for moderate to severe TBI survivors. This research was conducted in a patient-oriented manner with the Victoria Brain Injury Society. Thirty participants were randomized into the intervention or control group. Estimation statistics were used to report mean differences, confidence intervals, and effect sizes, aligning with a patient-oriented approach to emphasize clinical relevance. Self-reported functional outcomes, neuropsychological assessments, and telomere length as a biomarker of aging were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up in the 20 participants who completed the study. The intervention group exhibited medium to large effect size improvements in daily life challenges, TBI symptom severity, perceived stress, attention as measured on the Digit Span Forward, and executive function as measured on the Verbal Fluency FAS Test, that persisted at follow-up. Improvements in short- and long-term verbal memory and retrieval, as measured by the California Verbal Learning Test – Second Edition, were observed at one-month follow-up, but not immediately post-intervention. No change in telomere length following 3D-MOT intervention was observed. Control participants did not show meaningful improvements on any of these outcomes. Participant feedback highlighted the acceptability and perceived benefit of 3D-MOT, supporting its potential to be used as a therapeutic tool for TBI recovery.

Back to oral exams