Volunteers needed — we want your fingernails!

Members of the Kinesiology and Physical Education department are conducting a study to examine the effects of intervention programs on children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The study is entitled ‘Strength-Based Interventions for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders’ and involves the development and evaluation of an exercise and a computer game-based neurofeedback program for affected children.

One thing the study is looking at is the effect of the programs and FASD on cortisol, a hormone that regulates the body’s stress response. We are seeking volunteer children (age 6–14) without physical or mental disabilities, and their parents to serve as control participants for the cortisol measures.

To measure cortisol, fingernail samples will be collected from both you and your child on 1 occasion only. The collection is simple — just save us the nail clippings the next time you cut your own and your child’s fingernails.

Steroid medications interfere with the measurement of cortisol and so we ask that any child/caregiver currently taking steroid medications (eg. for asthma) not volunteer for this study.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Kathy Keiver, KPE
Dept. of Kinesiology and Physical Education
University of the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford campus)
Kathy.Keiver@ufv.ca
604-504-7441 Ext. 4132

Alison Pritchard Orr
Dept. of Kinesiology and Physical Education
University of the Fraser Valley (Chilliwack campus)
Alison.Pritchardorr@ufv.ca
604-504-7441 Ext. 2219

03/12/2014