By admin on July 8, 2010
Are you interested in a better sex life?
Are you a woman with a spinal cord injury (SCI) or Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
- Is your desire low?
- Has your sensation changed?
- Is this change affecting your pleasurable experiences?
- Does this bother you at all?
- Are you ready to do something about it?
If you said YES to any or all of these questions, this opportunity is for you!
This research involves an established treatment that has been shown to help women improve their sexual satisfaction.
What does it entail?
- 5 group sessions, 1.5 hours each spaced every other week
- 3 physiological arousal assessments
- Questionnaires
Where does this take place?
- Group session take place at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, Vancouver Hospital
- Lab visits take place at the UBC Sexual Health Lab at the Diamond Health Care Center, Vancouver Hospital
For details or to participate, contact: Shea Hocaloski 604-875-4111 x 69850 or shea.hocaloski(at)vch.ca
Posted in News, Research Studies
By admin on January 19, 2010
A study taking place at Brunel University in West London, UK: SMILE: Spinal Cord Injury Measure for Intermittent Catheter Users: Quality of Life Evaluation
Clinical trials in SCI (linking to US National Institutes of Health): Spinal Cord Injury Clinical Trials
Posted in Research Studies
By admin on October 23, 2009
ICORD & SFU researcher Dr. Victoria Claydon is seeking volunteers to take part in a research study looking at control of the heart and blood vessels in 
individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury.
After spinal cord injury (SCI) nerves that are important in controlling blood pressure, heart rate and blood flow to the brain may be damaged. This can lead to heart disease and strokes, and severely impacts quality of life and rehabilitation of spinal cord injured individuals.
The results of this study may improve the treatment and management of cardiovascular complications in individuals with SCI.
The principle requirement is that volunteers should have sustained their injury more than one year ago. The study involves three tests: measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and blood flow when lying and sitting; a DEXA scan (a body scan that measures bone density); and a test of the changes in blood sugar that occur after drinking a sugary drink. Testing can be performed over 2 or 3 visits at the volunteers’ convenience. Study visits can be performed at the SFU Burnaby Campus, SFU Downtown Campus, or the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre.
Participants will receive compensation.
If you are interested in taking part in this study please contact:
Dr Victoria Claydon or Ms Maureen McGrath
Phone: 778-782-8513/604-765-9287
E-mail: victoria_claydon(at)sfu.ca or maureen.mcgrath(at)vch.ca
Posted in Front Page News, Research Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged cardiovascular, Claydon, recruitment, research study, SCI, SFU, subjects needed
By admin on August 6, 2009
Researchers at ICORD recently completed a study comparing two types of treatments for hand function:
• To test whether exercises combined with functional electrical stimulation improves hand function in people with tetraplegia;
• To compare a number of tests used to detect these improvements.
Eligible Participants were:
- Provided with an electrical stimulation glove fitted to their hand.
- Provided with the ReJoyce workstation, a computer and webcam to complete virtual reality game exercises daily at home under the tele-supervision of a researcher.
- Tested on ability to grasp and manipulate objects at a robotic work station.
Principal Investigators: Drs. Tania Lam and John Steeves
Posted in Research Studies
By admin on August 6, 2009
ICORD and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre of Vancouver Coastal Health are conducting a clinical study to improve the diagnosis and understanding of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).
The goal of this study is to use new non-invasive techniques that examine different nerve fibres in the spinal cord to better understand the type and extent of spinal cord damage. In order to validate these new techniques, routine assessments in individuals with cervical SCI are needed, who meet the following criteria:
• Between 19 – 60 years of age
• SCI between the 4th and 8th cervical segment
• Are at least 1 month from the date of SCI
• Are not ventilator dependent
If you choose to enroll and are eligible to participate in this study, you will undergo a brief neurological examination of the upper limbs (5-10 minutes) and a 1.5 hour neurophysiological testing sessions involving non-painful (moderate) heat and electrical stimulation on the arm. If you are an In-patient at GF Strong, follow-up assessments will occur monthly until discharge and at 6 and 12 months after SCI. If you are an Out-patient living with SCI for more than a year, then the initial assessment will only be repeated one additional time.
To cover the costs of transportation and any other expenses, subjects will be paid a participation fee.
If you are interested in participating or learning more information about the study, please contact the study coordinator and co-investigator (John Kramer) at (604) 675-8808 or email jkramer@icord.org.
Principal Investigators: Drs. John Steeves, Rhonda Wilms, Andrea Townson
Posted in Front Page News, Research Studies | Tagged cervical, CHEPs, neurophysiology, recruitment, research study, steeves, subjects, subjects needed
By admin on August 6, 2009
ICORD and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre are conducting a clinical study to examine the use of Armeo®, a non-invasive physical rehabilitation device which incorporates virtual reality training exercises and games, for rehabilitation of upper limb function after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).
This new device complements, but does not replace, current rehabilitation activities. The assessed outcomes – changes in arm and hand function (i.e. strength, range of motion, coordination) – are intended to address the feasibility and effectiveness of using the Armeo® system for rehabilitation after cervical SCI, from both patient and therapist perspectives.
Individuals with cervical SCI who meet the following criteria may be eligible to participate:
• Between 19 – 60 years of age
• SCI between the 4th and 8th cervical segment
• Are at least 1 month from the date of SCI
• Are not ventilator dependent or have a shoulder, arm, hand injury and are able to sit upright for at least 30 minutes.
If you choose to enroll and are eligible to participate you will engage in 6 weeks of supervised Armeo® training (up to 5 times per week), and undergo assessments for changes in arm and hand function, while also receiving the current standards of upper limb rehabilitation. Follow-up assessment of neurological and functional outcomes will be re-examined during training at 2, 4 & 6 weeks, and subsequently at 8 & 12 weeks.
If you are interested in participating or learning more information about the study, please contact the study coordinator and co-investigator (John Kramer) at 778-991-7336 or email jkramer(at)icord.org.
Principal Investigators: Drs. John Steeves, Rhonda Wilms, Andrea Townson
Posted in Research Studies
By admin on August 4, 2009
Researchers at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and ICORD recently completed a study on the impact of a 30 day Segway program (30 minutes, 3 days/ week) on spasticity, pain and fatigue in individuals with spinal cord injuries, and whether these potential benefits are short or long term in nature.
Posted in Research Studies | Tagged fatigue, pain, personal transporter, Sawatzky, SCI, segway, spasticity, subect recruitment, subjects needed
By admin on August 4, 2009
The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate a new approach to treadmill training with the Lokomat. The data collected from this pilot study will be used to determine whether a larger-scale clinical study involving more participants will be pursued.
Who can participate in this study?
You can participate in this study if you have had a SCI at least 12 months ago at or above the 12th thoracic (T.12) level. In addition, you should be able to stand or walk for at least part of your daily activities, or alternatively, able to take steps with the help of a treadmill and part of your body weight supported. Finally, you should otherwise be in good general health so that you can participate in the weekly treadmill training sessions.
Who should not participate in the study?
You should not participate in this study if any of the following applies to you:
- You have a medical condition that prevents you from exercising (e.g. heart problem, muscle pain, broken or weak bones).
- You were not able to walk before you had your injury.
- You are currently undergoing rehabilitation therapy or participating in another research study looking at your walking or mobility.
- You have difficulty remembering things on a daily basis.
- You have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 (BMI = your weight in kg / by your height in m2)
- You are under 19 or over 65 years of age
What does this study involve?This study will take place at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre (818 West 10th Ave). You will be randomly allocated (assigned by chance, like the flip of a coin) to one of 2 treatment groups. The 2 treatment groups differ only in the level of assistance that the Lokomat will provide to your leg movements while walking. You will not be informed of the group to which you have been assigned. Both treatment groups involve 45-minute treadmill training sessions, 3 times per week for 12 weeks (3 months) of training. You may take rest breaks during the sessions, but the total walking time must total 45 minutes. Given time for set-up and rest breaks, you can expect to spend about 1.5 hours in the laboratory for each visit. After the end of the 12 weeks of training, you will be asked to return to the laboratory for 2 follow-up tests, 1 month and 6 months later. The total amount of time for participating in this research will be 64-68hours (40 laboratory visits) over a 9-month period (including follow-up and medical visits ).
Please contact Katherine Pauhl at: (604) 675-8852 for more information.
Posted in Research Studies | Tagged Lam, Lokomat, recruitment, research study, study, subject, subjects needed
By admin on August 4, 2009
Researchers at ICORD are looking for people with tetraplegia to take part in a study comparing two types of treatments for hand function:
• To test whether daily exercises combined with electrical stimulation improves hand function in people with tetraplegia
• To compare a number of tests used to detect these improvements
• To determine if there are changes in the brain and spinal cord after treatments.
Participants will be:
• Provided with an electrical stimulator glove fitted for the hand.
• Tested on ability to grasp and manipulate objects on a work station.
• Provided with an exercise work station (ReJoyce), a computer and webcam to do exercises daily at home under the tele-supervision of a research assistant.
If you are interested in volunteering and you:
• Have a C5, C6, or C7 complete or incomplete SCI
• Were injured at least 9 months ago
• Are in stable medical condition
Please contact Katherine Pauhl at: walkUBC@gmail.com or (604) 675-8852 for more information.
Posted in Research Studies | Tagged hand function, recruitment, research study, SCI, subject, subjects needed, tetraplegia
By admin on August 4, 2009
The Human Locomotion Research Lab at the School of Human Kinetics (UBC) recently completed a manual wheelchair movement study.
Background and purpose of research:
This study focused on achieving better understanding the neural control of wheeling; in particular, how the nervous system adapts to experience using a manual wheelchair.
Posted in Research Studies | Tagged Human Locomotion Lab, kinetics, Lam, manual wheeling, recruitment, research study, subject, subjects needed, wheelchair
