Filter and search for open study opportunities below.
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 evaluates the effects of epidural stimulation of the spinal cord and task-specific training on motor control, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, bowel, bladder, and sexual function in individuals with spinal cord injury.
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 fully remote study gathers input from family caregivers of people with SCI to better understand their needs and improve future support services and resources.
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 evaluates a new assessment for spatial neglect. People with spatial neglect often pay much more attention to one side of the body while ignoring the other side even though they have no difficulty seeing.
This study examines the use of spinal stimulation applied through the skin (referred to as transcutaneous spinal stimulation) in treating orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when moving from lying flat on your back to an upright position) in individuals with a recently acquired spinal cord injury, during inpatient 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.
This study compares the effect of a combined cognitive rehabilitation and exercise approach on new learning and memory in people with multiple sclerosis and mobility disability.
This fully remote study evaluates the effectiveness of two interventions to improve well-being in adults with traumatic brain injury.
This study examines how patterns of brain activity relate to cognitive fatigue, which is a feeling of exhaustion and inability to perform thinking-related activities.
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.
No staff members found matching your criteria.
