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 Spinal Cord Injuries. These studies are not recruiting volunteers at the present time.

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

Principal Investigator: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT - Georgia Institue of Technology/Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access (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.

The Impact of Cognitive Functioning on Outcomes following SCI  [288]

Principle Investigator: Stephen Macciocchi, PhD, ABPP

Study Description: Involves determining the impact of co-occurring TBI on SCI rehabilitation outcomes at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and at one-year follow-up. 60% of persons who sustain an SCI also sustain a TBI. Outcome data is currently being analyzed.

Contact: Email Stephen Macciocchi, PhD, ABPP, or call 404-350-7553.

Changes in interface pressure in variable position wheelchairs  [358]

Principle Investigators: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT

Study Description: The purpose of this study was to determine changes in interface pressures between the subject’s body and the support surfaces of a wheelchair as it transitions into different positions. Tilt-in-space, recline and standing positions will be studied using the same wheelchair system (Levo).

Contact: Email Chris Maurer, MPT, ATP or call 404-367-1333.

Predicting personal care hours for patients with SCI  [369]

Principal Investigator: Shari McDowell, PT

Study Description: The purpose of the study is to determine the number of personal care hours required in the home for patients with spinal cord injury after they are discharged from inpatient rehabilitation. This study will allow the researchers to better predict the number of personal care hours that are necessary for patient care in the home and will be helpful to families and patients in planning for care.

Contact: Email Shari McDowell, PT, or call 404-350-7619.

Outcomes of cervical immobilization vs. nonimmobilization following surgery in quadriplegia  [385]

Principal Investigator: David Apple, MD

Study Description: This is a retrospective study (chart review) to determine if cervical immobilization after surgery is more effective than nonimmobilization in reducing or preventing complications. If so, what duration of time in the cervical collar is optimal? Is one surgical technique superior to another in reduction of complication rate?

Contact: Email Kim Gilbert, MD.

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.

Contact: Email Cami Godsey, or call 404-350-7655.

The Effects Of FES Cycle Ergometry Training To Improve Balance And Locomotion In Individuals With Incomplete SCI  [407]

Principle Investigator: Deborah Backus, PhD, PT

Study Description: The purpose of this study was to see if people with incomplete SCI (AIS C) can benefit from training on the functional electrical stimulation bike. The investigators of this study want to see if this bike can improve the strength in the legs, and improve walking in people with motor incomplete (ASIA C) spinal cord injury.

Contact: Email Deborah Backus, PhD, PT, or call 404-350-7599.

Using the Spinal Cord Injury Independence Measure III (SCIM III) to measure functional outcomes in post acute rehabilitation after spinal cord injury [413]

Principal Investigator: Sarah Morrison, PT

Study Description: The purpose of this study is to analyze functional gains, as measured by the SCIM-III that occur during a post acute rehabilitation program. The sensitivity of the assessment tool as well as the floor and ceiling effects of the SCIM-III scoring will be evaluated.

Contact: Email Sarah Morrison, PT, or call 404-350-7676.

An Open-label, Multicenter Study of Augmentation Cystoplasty Using an Autologous Neo-Bladder Construct in Subjects with Neurogenic Bladder following Spinal Cord Injury  [417]

Principle Investigator: Bruce Green, MD

Study Description: Shepherd Center is one of several hospitals around the US participating in a Phase II clinical trial of a bioengineered bladder called the Tengion Neo-Bladder Augment(TM). The Neo-Bladder is made from a combination of the patient's healthy cells taken from a tissue sample and grown in a Tengion laboratory. The Neo-Bladder is surgically attached to the patient's native bladder to expand its capacity. This procedure improves the patient's health by reducing the risk of urinary tract infections and kidney damage in addition to stopping urinary leakage.

Contact: Email Nell Klein, RN, CCRP, or call 404-367-1307.

SCIRehab – Improving outcomes through practice-based evidence  [421]
 

Co-Investigators: David Apple, MD and Deborah Backus, PhD, PT

Study Description: This study is being conducted in collaboration with Craig Hospital (Rocky Mountain Regional Spinal Injury System), and five other inpatient rehabilitation programs. The purpose of the study is to figure out which SCI rehabilitation interventions are most effective for improving neurologic recovery and functional independence, return to work, social participation, and quality of life after SCI, as well as decreasing medical complications and re-hospitalization in the first year after injury.

Contact: Email Deborah Backus, PhD, PT, or call 404-350-7599.

Improving transfer mobility and wheelchair propulsion using real-time feedback  [423]

Principal Investigator: Chris Maurer, MPT, ATP

Study Description: This study is investigating the use of video feedback to improve rehabilitation training. Training will be supplemented using “Dartfish,” a real-time video-based training software most commonly used by coaches and trainers for sports applications. Training will focus on transfers, wheelchair propulsion, mobility and ADL related functional skills.

Contact: Email Chris Maurer, MPT, ATP, or call 404-367-1333. 

Innovative knowledge dissemination and utilization (KDU) for disability and professional organizations and stakeholders  [436]

Principal Investigator: Lesley Hudson, MA

Study Description: The knowledge dissemination and utilization (KDU) study is a subcontract to Boston University for their grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). This project involves evaluating current literature published on several topics, chosen by Shepherd Center based on the expressed need of major stakeholders in SCI (the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) and the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA). The information from this review of the literature will be disseminated to stakeholders to help educate and inform them about the evidence regarding particular topics.

Contact: Email Lesley Hudson, MA, or call 404-350-7582. 

Relationship change following spinal cord injury  [441]

Principal Investigator: Elisabeth Burgess, PhD - Georgia State University

Study Description: The goals of this study are to examine how younger marital and cohabiting couples negotiate their relationship following SCI and to examine how their interactions with practitioners influence their experiences in the first months following injury. Additionally, the study seeks to understand how practitioners work with couples following injury. Interviews with counselors, chaplains, physicians, case workers, and educators who work with patients and partners are also sought.

To participate in this study, you must:

• Married or living together
• Under age 50
• Within one month of beginning rehabilitation

Contact: Email Alexis Bender, MA, or call 678-595-4080.

Multi-Center to assess the validity and reliability of the Spinal Cord Injury Measure (SCIM-III) [460]

Principal Investigator: Kimberly Anderson, PhD; Co-Investigator: Deborah Backus, PhD, PT

Study Description: This project, led by Kimberly Anderson, PhD, at the University of California, Irvine, is a collaborative effort that will assess the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) in measuring functional ability in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) during their acute rehabilitation.

To participate in this study, you must:

• Be a current inpatient at Shepherd Center
• Have a spinal cord injury

Contact: Email Kathy Kreger, or call 404-350-739

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

Principal Investigator: Yong "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:

• be 18 or older
• have an SCI diagnosis
• be naïve to advanced wheelchair skills, including wheelies, curbs and ramps
• currently be an inpatient or Day program rehab patient

Contact: Email Tai Wang, PhD, or call 404-431-1253.

Mobile Music Touch (MMT): Effects of tactile music instruction system on hand rehabilitation [474]

Principal Investigator: Ellen Yi-Luen Do, PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology; Co-Investigator: Deborah Backus, PhD, PT

Study Description: The purpose of this study is to see if a novel device called the Mobile Music Touch (MMT) can be used to improve hand function in people with tetraplegia due to SCI. The MMT uses the sense of touch to teach how to play musical instruments. The system consists of two main parts: 1.) a lightweight, wireless tactile glove, with one small vibration motor for each finger, and 2.) an associated computing device such as a cell phone, MP3 player, or computer. Volunteers will train 3 times a week (1 hour each session) for 4 weeks, and will be evaluated for sensory and motor improvements.

To participate in this study, you must:

• Be 18 – 50 years old, with C4-T1 tetraplegia
• Have ASIA Impairment Scale rating of A, B, or C
• Have the ability to move their individual fingers to press the keys on a musical keyboard
• Have greater than 1 year post-SCI

Contact: Email Kevin Huang or call 864-506-6027.

Personalized physical activity and nutrition Intervention for overweight/obese adults with mobility disabilities (PEP-II)  [491]

Principal Investigator: Mike Jones, PhD

Study Description: Physical activity and nutrition may improve health, and may help medical problems such as diabetes, high blood cholesterol, and other conditions. In addition, people who are overweight or obese are more likely to lose weight when dieting is combined with regular physical activity. This study will investigate different ways of increasing physical activity and/or providing nutrition among people with mobility disabilities.

Contact: Email Ismari Clesson, RN or call 404-350-7651.

i-Step Long-Leg Orthosis: Study Protocol 1 (Orthosis Validation)  [510]

Primary Investigator: David Apple, MD

Study Description: This study will test the performance of a new power-assisted bracing system called the “i-step” system. This is a pilot study with one participant with a complete SCI at a level of T10-12.

Contact: Email Rachel Betzler, MA or call 404-367-1305.