Shepherd Center - A Catastrophic Care Hospital

Here is a list of current studies/initiatives that Shepherd Center is participating in to help increase our understanding of Acquired Brain Injuries. These studies are not recruiting volunteers at the present time.

The impact of cognitive impairment on outcomes following SCI (288)

Prinicipal Investigators: Stephen Macciocchi, PhD & Ron Seel, PhD

The purpose of this NIDDR funded field-initiated grant is to determine whether past problems in learning and remembering or having a traumatic brain injury, affect the ability for individuals with SCI to benefit from rehabilitation programs. The goal of the research is to determine if special programs are needed to fit the needs of persons who have problems learning during rehabilitation.

Contact: Kimether Barlow, MPH, 404-603-4269.

Assessment scales for disorders of consciousness (DOC): Evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice and research

Prinicipal Investigator: Ronald Seel, PhD

This study conducted by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine DOC Task Force is a structured, evidence-based review of the literature to evaluate the reliability, validity, and generalizability of measurement instruments for DOC. Goals of the evidence based review are to: 1) assess the extent that measurement scales adequately describe the characteristics and features of different levels of disorders of consciousness, 2) assess the reliability of measurement scale ratings, and 3) assess the validity of measurement scales with regard to diagnosis and prognosis.

Contact: Ronald Seel, PhD, 404-387-5625.

Development of a traumatic brain injury acute rehabilitation medical severity model

Prinicpal Investigator: Ronald Seel, PhD, Darryl Kaelin MD

The primary goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate medical variables that are routinely collected at acute rehabilitation admission and examine their predictive utility on FIM Motor and Cognitive Scores at acute rehabilitation discharge.

Contact: Ronald Seel, PhD, 404-387-5625.

Evaluation of a pre-rehabilitation and education program for persons with disorders of consciousness and their families

Principal Investigators: Jennifer Douglas, CCC-SLP, Ronald Seel, PhD

Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) treatment programs are a highly understudied area. The primary objectives of this retrospective health outcome study are to: 1) Describe patients admitted to the DOC program including demographics, injury severity, and co-morbidities; 2) describe the Shepherd Center Pre-Rehabilitation Education Program (PREP), including interdisciplinary team and typical interventions; 3) examine medication practices and impact on outcomes, and 4) describe PREP program outcomes including family satisfaction.

Contact:Rachel Emery, BA, 404-603-1494.

A retrospective analysis of the timing and dosage of pharmaceutical interventions on acute rehabilitation outcomes (355)

Prinicipal Investigator: Ronald Seel, PhD, Darryl Kaelin MD

There is little empirical evidence for the efficacy of pharmaceutical interventions in the treatment of neuropsychiatric issues after TBI. This retrospective study will use a Clinical Practice Improvement (CPI) research design to examine specific medication classes and the extent that each contributes to TBI recovery.

Contact: Ronald Seel, PhD, 404-387-5625.