Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Research

Participate in SCI Research

Learn about current spinal cord injury (SCI) clinical trials and research studies at Shepherd Center. To be considered for current and future research studies, complete and submit our Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Intake Form.

Meet the SCI Research Team

Our Focus for Spinal Cord Injury Research Studies

Investigators at Shepherd Center conduct translational and clinical research to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injury by advancing knowledge that informs clinical practice. Our studies are focused on neurorehabilitation and neuromodulation approaches informed by the latest neuroscience research and guided by outcomes that have meaning for persons with spinal cord injury. Our team includes neuroscientists, exercise physiologists, engineers, research physical and occupational therapists, as well as pre-and post-doctoral research trainees.

Through their work in the Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Lab, researchers in the Spinal Cord Injury Research Program at Shepherd Center aim to translate discoveries made in basic and applied science research and promote functional restoration in people with spinal cord injury.

Two nurses working with spinal cord injury patient

How to Volunteer for Spinal Cord Injury Research Studies

Research evidence from many sources indicates that physical rehabilitation is among the most powerful approaches to restoring function after spinal cord injury. Physical rehabilitation helps to restore hand and walking function and reduce spasticity in people with spinal cord injury.

The Spinal Cord Injury Research Team at Shepherd Center works to better understand how physical rehabilitation affects changes in the nervous system -- a process called “neuroplasticity” -- in order to develop more effective and efficient approaches. Our hope is that, by combining this understanding of neuroplasticity with advanced physical therapeutic technologies, we can maximize function and quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.

To learn more about participating in current spinal cord injury clinical trials and research studies at Shepherd Center, visit our Spinal Cord Injury Studies page. To ask questions regarding spinal cord injury (SCI) research at Shepherd Center, contact us by email at sciresearch@shepherd.org.