Filter and search for open study opportunities below.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a potential treatment for elbow and wrist spasticity, or muscle spasms, known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy, which uses high-intensity sound waves delivered from outside the body through an external device.
This study is designed to see whether a remote, home‑based walking program can be safely completed by individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury and whether it may help improve thinking and memory. The information learned from this study will help researchers understand if walking‑based exercise programs can be a useful approach to support brain health after injury.
The purpose of this research study is to determine if a low-intensity electromagnetic field from a wearable device can help improve hand and arm movement after stroke.
The purpose of this research study is to assess the effects of receiving transcutaneous spinal stimulation while performing walking exercises compared to completing walking exercises without spinal stimulation.
This study aims to improve balance control in individuals with traumatic brain injury, a common challenge affecting mobility and stability.
This study evaluates the usefulness of an upper extremity assistive device called MyoPro in improving upper extremity activities in people with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).
This study aims to expand the knowledge and capacity for neuromodulation to improve the debilitating effects of severe spasticity (spasms, tonic muscle activity and/or clonus) in persons with spinal cord injury.
This study demonstrates that epidural stimulation may be a method for improving stepping, standing and bladder function in people with spinal cord injury. This type of stimulation is given near the spinal cord through a device that is placed inside the body during a surgery.
This study examines brain and behavioral changes during thinking and physical tasks in individuals with traumatic brain injury. Participants perform exercise tests using an exercise bike, receive two MRI scans, and complete tests of thinking skills and questionnaires.
This study aims to understand the safety and practicality of providing stimulation to the spinal cord through the skin (referred to as "transcutaneous stimulation") in people who are receiving inpatient rehabilitation. The study will also determine if combining stimulation with therapy that involves the upper limbs can improve participants' ability to use their hands, arms, and trunk during inpatient treatment at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.
This study investigates how standing and sitting balance control is altered after spinal cord injury and how a new type of robotic assistive device may be used to improve muscle function.
In this pilot study, we want to study the neural mechanism of walking in able-bodied subjects and iSCI subjects who have some control of muscles below the level of injury (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) D).
Using the Eyes to Study the Brain
This study explores a new set of hands-free tests that will assess ability to learn new information and how quickly participants process information. These new tests use a system that measures the movement of your eye (an "eye tracking system") to record responses to various thinking tasks.
FAQs About Joining a Research Study
Rehabilitation research studies are designed to help people with neurological and physical conditions become as independent as possible in everyday activities, restore function and mobility, enhance memory and learning, and improve quality of life.
First, check out our list of research studies that are now enrolling participants. Once you find a study that interests you, complete the “Join a Study” form found on each study page. Then a member of our research recruitment team will reach out to discuss the study and determine whether you are eligible to participate.
Our scientists seek to improve memory and learning, mobility, and long-term outcomes, including employment, for people with neurological and physical disabilities including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and autism. We also study the role of caregivers who assist individuals with disabilities with daily activities, and we help people return to the workplace after disabling illnesses or injuries.
We offer a number of tele-studies that can be completed from your home, while others may require you to visit one of two Foundation locations in East Hanover, NJ, or West Orange, NJ. In some cases, we may be able to travel to your home or provide reimbursement for travel to our offices.
Some studies are completed in one day, while others may need volunteers to be available for follow up from six weeks to more than a year.
To achieve results that help as many people as possible, participants of all ages and ethnicities are needed in our studies.
Yes, absolutely! People without disabilities can serve as controls in research studies. Comparing the results between people with and without disabilities helps researchers prove the efficacy of their interventions.
Participating in our research studies is completely voluntary, and if at any time anyone is uncomfortable or unable to continue the study, they are able to withdraw.
Most of our studies provide compensation to volunteers for participation. The amount paid varies for every study. Some studies reimburse participants for travel or cover Uber Health or Lyft Concierge rides.
Each individual has their own motive for participating, but volunteers are vital to the ongoing rehabilitation research at Kessler Foundation. Their assistance helps scientists identify new treatments and interventions that can change the lives of loved ones and others with disabilities and debilitating health conditions. These scientific advances are made possible when people like you volunteer for research.
Tell us a little more about yourself so that our recruitment team can help you enroll in a study that is right for you.
