For healthcare professionals
Kessler Foundation conducts rehabilitation research for individuals living with stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other neurological conditions. If you have patients who may be interested in learning about research opportunities, please share this resource with them.
Filter and search for open study opportunities below.
To evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) as an additional treatment to toxin injection for spasticity or muscle spasms. This therapy involves high intensity sound waves that are delivered to the body using an external device.
Individuals with stroke often have problems with hand and arm function that affect their activities of daily living. Also, most individuals who have had a stroke do not have long-term rehabilitation support after they leave the hospital. Therefore, the investigators aim to study how well a program of brain stimulation and hand exercises can be delivered at home, and how it may improve arm function in people with stroke. The program combines brain stimulation and hand exergaming using a wearable device for improving hand and arm functions.
This study is testing a new treadmill-based walking training system that uses real-time visual feedback to help children and young adults with hemiplegic cerebral palsy practice taking more symmetrical steps. Participants will walk on a treadmill while following visual stepping targets, and researchers will evaluate how the system affects walking patterns and gather feedback about the user experience. Compensation is provided.
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 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 assesses the comfort, fit, and ease of using a motor powered ankle foot orthosis brace in adults who have had a lower limb injury.
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 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.
Every discovery begins with people. It’s accelerated by those who choose to take part, and donors who choose to act.
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. To learn more, read our article “3 Reasons to Join a Research Study.”
Tell us a little more about yourself so that our recruitment team can help you enroll in a study that is right for you.
