Nick Barrowman

Nick Barrowman is a PhD biostatistician with over 20 years of experience in the design and analysis of clinical studies. He is a Senior Statistician at the Clinical Research Unit of the CHEO RI and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers in diverse fields and has also served as President of the Statistical Society of Ottawa and Statistical Consultant for the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Area of Research: Biostatistics

Email Researcher Other Publications

Research Areas

Neurology Emergency Department Research Infectious Disease Mental Health Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent) Surgery Pain Health Data

Related News

Research Projects

1. Empowering Children Through Virtual Reality: A New Alternative to General Anesthesia for MRI

   17/12/2025

   This prospective study evaluated whether a brief virtual reality (VR) simulation could prepare young children for awake MRI scans, reducing the need for general anesthesia. Eighteen children completed a 10‑minute avatar‑guided VR MRI simulation prior to scanning, resulting in successful completion of awake MRIs for all participants and diagnostic‑quality images with minimal motion artifacts. While anxiety levels did not change significantly, caregivers overwhelmingly perceived the intervention as effective, supporting VR as a feasible strategy to facilitate pediatric MRI without sedation.

2. Cephalexin use in a pediatric emergency Department during the shortage of amoxicillin suspension

   12/11/2025

   During a significant shortage of amoxicillin suspension in Canada in late 2022, local guidelines recommended cephalexin as an alternative with restricted use of amoxicillin-clavulanate (AC). The aim of the study was to determine outcomes of patients with a diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM), community acquired pneumonia (AOM) and pharyngitis who were prescribed cephalexin compared to other antibiotics in the emergency department (ED).

3. BRAVA: A randomized controlled trial of a brief group intervention for youth with suicidal ideation and their caregivers

   16/07/2025

   This randomized controlled trial evaluated BRAVA, a six‑week virtual group intervention designed to support adolescents with mild to moderate suicidal ideation and their caregivers. The study found that while both the intervention and control groups showed improvements, BRAVA participants demonstrated greater reductions in perceived stress, depression, and anxiety—benefits that were maintained at three‑month follow‑up. These findings suggest that BRAVA may offer meaningful support for youth experiencing suicidal ideation.

4. Virtual psychoeducation for improvement of pain catastrophizing in pediatric presurgical patients and caregivers: A proof-of-concept study

   03/10/2024

   Youth (n = 43) and caregivers (n = 41) attended a virtual, group-based single-session intervention (SSI). Single-session intervention content addressed pain neuroscience, PC, and adaptive coping strategies for managing pain and PC drawn from cognitive-behavioural, acceptance and commitment, and dialectical behaviour therapy approaches. Participants completed questionnaires assessing PC at preintervention, postintervention, and two weeks postsurgery. Youth mood and anxiety were assessed at preintervention.

5. A randomized, cross-over trial comparing the effect of innovative robotic gait training and functional clinical therapy in children with cerebral palsy; a protocol to test feasibility

   17/01/2023