Spinal Cord Injury Research
The ultimate goal of spinal cord injury research at Kessler Foundation is to develop ways for individuals with SCI to fully restore their pre-injury levels of function, activity, and quality of life.
Upper Extremity Wearable Robotic Orthosis on Improving Upper Extremity Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living in SCI
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of an upper extremity assistive device called MyoPro in improving upper extremity activities in people with incomplete SCI.
Safety and Efficacy of Brain-Computer Interface-based Electromagnetic Field Treatment in Chronic SCI
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new stimulation treatment delivered by a device called BrainQ.
Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy in SCI
The purpose of this research study is to investigate the effects of upper limb training while breathing low oxygen on arm strength and function in people with SCI.
Comparing Drug Treatments for Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity in SCI
The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of "Mirabegron" compared to "Oxybutynin IR" for a condition called neurogenic detrusor overactivity in individuals with SCI .
Developing a Shortened Cognitive Screen in SCI
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a screening battery of thinking skills in the spinal cord injury population. Participants will complete hands-free questionnaires.
This study is completely remote and does not require in-person visits.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Electrical Stimulation in SCI
The aim of this study is to understand what happens to muscle and bone in spinal cord injured males with low testosterone levels after 5 months of stand training with body weight support (BWS) and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Upper Extremity/Treadmill/Exoskeleton Training and Spinal Cord Stimulation in SCI
The purpose of this research is to examine the effectiveness of back or spine stimulation while walking on a treadmill or walking over ground using an exoskeleton or on muscle activation while sitting on a chair.
Improving SCI Rehab Interventions by Retraining the Brain in SCI Participants
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether combining training of the affected upper limbs in patients with SCI with a noninvasive technique of brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve training outcomes.
Assessing Spinal Cord Structure Changes Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Patients With Incomplete Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
The purpose of this study is to use a special MRI technology to assess changes in nerve fibers of the spinal cord in acute incomplete spinal cord injury patients (SCI patients who still have some ability to move their limbs) and in healthy control subjects.
Treating Cognitive Deficits in traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
The purpose of this research study is to investigate the effectiveness of a memory retraining program and a processing speed program in a spinal cord injured (SCI) population.
Equity and Quality in Assistive Technology for Individuals with SCI (EQUATE)
Researchers are collecting information about types and frequency of wheelchair breakdowns and repairs using a smartphone app. The information collected will help researchers track the types of wheelchair failures to inform wheelchair users.
Examining Behavioral and Neural Aspects of Implicit Procedural Learning Performance in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries
The purpose of this research study is to learn about different types of memory abilities in people who have a spinal cord injury (SCI) and how those abilities relate to brain functioning.
Mapping the Community Context for a Better Understanding of Community Integration and Participation after SCI
Researchers are interested in understanding the places where people with disabilities live, work, and socialize. We are examining how various aspects of the environment (like accessibility or barriers to community places such as grocery stores or doctor's offices) influence community participatio
ReInventing Yourself after SCI: Intervention to Improve Outcomes after Spinal Cord Injury
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefits of a group education treatment program to improve self-efficacy in people living with Spinal Cord Injury or Disorder (SCI/D).
Pilot Study of Changes in Tendon Stiffness Associated with Spinal Cord Injury
The primary objective of the study is to provide preliminary comparative data on population differences (SCI vs CTRL) in SWE measurements. Exploring Racial/Ethnic Contextual Factors Associated with Functional Independence in SCI
Informing Identification of Neuropathic Pain Phenotypes in People with SCI
Cortical Control of Walking: Brain Plasticity Following Exoskeleton Training in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (iSCI)
Lipogems® Injection for Chronic Shoulder Pain in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two different treatments for chronic shoulder pain in people with SCI.
A Longitudinal Examination of Aging with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): Cardiovascular, Cerebrovascular, and Cognitive Consequences
This study compares heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow in the brain and body, and thinking abilities among individuals with spinal cord injury and healthy age-matched control subjects who do not have a spinal cord injury.