Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Back 'n Motion is a London-based health services company that offers physiotherapy, massage therapy, lasertherapy, acupuncture treatment and health care products to its clients. Its holistic approach to health includes aunique smoking cessation program called Break Free. Unlike many of its competitors, Back 'n Motion'sprogram combines Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) with multiple coaching sessions. The programcurrently is offered to individual consumers and, based on anecdotal evidence, the company believes its successrate to be higher than that of its competitors. Back 'n Motion would like to license its program commercially toother North American health care providers and clinics. In order to successfully market the program, thecompany needs an independent, third-party evaluation of the effectiveness of Break Free. Fanshawe College'sSchool of Language and Liberal Studies will partner with the firm on this study. Working with PrincipalInvestigator Dr. Michael Boisvert, a student researcher will design a program evaluation using a mixedmethodology that combines participant surveys and semi-structured interviews. A final report on the outcomeswill be provided to the company along with a presentation on design methodologies. By participating in thisproject, the Fanshawe student will gain experience and greater understanding of qualitative and quantitativeresearch methodologies, survey design, data analysis, and conducting research with human participants. Resultsof this project are critical to the partner in fulfilling the company goal of licensing its product. A validated,third-party study will give it a competitive edge over other smoking cessation programs on the market.