Shepherd Center - A Catastrophic Care Hospital

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Current Research Studies (Volunteers Needed)

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please contact the research coordinator listed for that particular clinical trial or complete the participation form to the right. The participation form will be forwarded to the program coordinator and you will be contacted by the appropriate person.

Clinical evaluation of mobility and seating devices, positioning supports, and horizontal support surfaces [272]

Principal Investigator: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT, GIT/CATEA

Study Description: Manufacturers are often interested in having their products evaluated by an independent facility with experience in seating and positioning. The purpose of this study will be to periodically clinically evaluate commercial supports and pre-production prototypes to identify indications and contra-indication of use. This study might help improve final designs before a support is marketed.

To participate in this study, you must:

be 18 or older
use a mobility or seating device, positioning support, or support surface

Contact: Email Michelle Nemeth, PT, or call 404-350-7661.

Development and validation of a clinical measure of wheelchair seat cushion degradation [396]

Principal Investigator: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT, GIT/CATEA

Study Description: The purpose of this study is to determine the life of a wheelchair cushion within real world use and to develop a valid clinical measure that can be integrated into the clinical setting to assess the point when seat cushion replacement is needed.

To participate in this study, you must:

be 18 or older
be a wheelchair and wheelchair cushion user

Contact: Email Brian Dunlap or call 404-350-7655.

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wireless Technologies - Facilitating user centered research: The Consumer Advisory Network [410]

Principal Investigator: Mike Jones, PhD

Study Description: The cornerstone of this project is an ongoing nationwide Survey of User Needs (SUN) on use and usability of wireless communications technology by people with disabilities. The results are used to educate the wireless industry and the general public in order to promote usability of accessible wireless devices and services for people of all ages and abilities. Additionally, we invite respondents to join our Consumer Advisory Network (CAN) whose members are periodically asked to participate in subsequent surveys, focus groups, and user testing of wireless technology.

To participate in this study, you must:

18 years of age or older
people with any type of disability
all levels of impairment (from minimal to considerable)

Contact: Email John Morris, PhD, or call 404-367-1348.

Clinical usability of a wound measurement device [449]

Principal Investigator: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT, GIT/CATEA

Study Description: A prototype wound measurement device is being tested by the wound specialty nurse. This hand-held device determines and captures wound boundaries to provide a digital documentation of wound progression.

To participate in this study, you must:

be 18 or older
currently be an inpatient with an open wound.

Contact: Email Cathy Koerner, RN, or call 404-350-3105.

The use of wheelchairs, wheelchair cushions and other mobility assistive devices in everyday life [463]

Principal Investigator: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT, GIT/CATEA

Study Description: Understanding how wheelchairs and cushions are used is important for many reasons. Prescriptions can be improved, designs can reflect actual use and policy can be written to reflect use. This project will place sensors on your wheelchair and/or cushion for one week to monitor use.

To participate in this study, you must:

be 18 or older
use a wheelchair or other mobility assistive device.

Contact: Email Michelle Nemeth or call 404-350-7661, or email Sharon Sonenblum or call 404-385-0633.

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wireless Technology (Wireless RERC) - Customer-driven usability assessment [414]

Principal Investigators: Mike Jones, PhD

Study Description: The cornerstone of this project is the creation and maintenance of a community website where readers can share information, post comments, and engage in dialogue about the use and usability of wireless technology by people with disabilities. In order to promote discussion and provide important information, the project team posts news items and commentary on a regular basis. Some of this material comes directly from user testing on wireless devices and services that the project team conducts with people with various disabilities. This user testing constitutes a key component of the project.

To participate in this study, you must: (these apply to the user testing only).

Age 18 and older
Some form of disability or limitation in physical or cognitive ability (vision, hearing, speaking, dexterity, mobility, cognition)

Contact: Email John Morris, PhD, or call 404-367-1348.

Usability evaluation of the tongue drive system [457]

Principal Investigator: Maysam Ghovanloo, PhD

Study Description: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance, user acceptability, and usability of the "Tongue Drive" assistive technology in accessing a personal computer and controlling a powered wheelchair.

To participate in this study, you must:

Age 18-65
High cervical injury
Either using or suitable for alternative control for wheelchair
Sitting tolerance at least 4 hours
Some experience with computers
Able to move tongue

Contact: Email Joy A. Bruce, PT, MS, NCS, or call 404-603-4611.

Effectiveness of augmented immediate video feedback on advanced wheelchair skill training [470]

Principal Investigator: Tai Wang, PhD, Georgia State University

Study Description: Studies have shown encouraging results in rehabilitation settings to analyze movement and provide real-time feedback to patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of immediate video feedback for learning advanced manual wheelchair skills.

To participate in this study, you must: