By admin on December 13, 2011
Researchers at ICORD are looking for people with paraplegia (with lesion level above T6) or tetraplegia to take part in a study that aims to understand more about abdominal muscle function in persons with spinal cord injury and how these muscles may be used during activities of daily living.
- We will assess and classify the level and the completeness of your spinal cord injury according to international standards and evaluate motor performance in daily activities. You will use your own wheelchair during tests such as: sit-and-reach tests and propelling the wheelchair (Day 1, location ICORD, Blusson Spinal Cord Centre).
- We will measure muscle thickness and muscle activation in the abdominal muscles during rest and during a variety of tasks performed in supine, such as lifting your head, and different reaching movements, using ultrasound technique and electromyography recordings. These methods are used widely in the clinic/research and will not cause you any pain or discomfort (Day 2 and 3, location UBC).
If you are interested in volunteering and you:
- have a complete SCI above T6
- were injured at least 1 years ago
- are in stable medical condition
- are able to visit the lab three times for approximately 2 hours each time
please contact Anna Bjerkefors at: anna.bjerkefors@gih.se or (778)-985-8660 for more information!
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mark Carpenter – 604-822-8614 / mark.carpenter@ubc.ca
Posted in Announcements, Research Studies | Tagged abdominal, participate, research study, trunk muscle function
By admin on September 6, 2011
Researchers from the University of British Columbia and ICORD are looking for subjects to participate in a research study of improving function and recovery after spi
nal cord injury.
Purpose of this study:
The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the optimal ‘dose’ of gait rehabilitation to maximize functional recovery following SCI with the Lokomat.
Who can participate?
1) We are looking for people with spinal cord injury who:
- Had a motor-incomplete spinal cord injury at least 1 year ago
- Can stand or walk as part of their daily activities
- Are in stable medical condition
- Have no muscle pain or broken bones
2) We are also looking for interested able-bodied people to serve as control.
What is involved?
An initial assessment visit of 2 hours, followed by a 1-week body weight supported treadmill training, 30 minutes/session for 3 or 5 times. 4 millilitre blood samples will be collected immediately before and after exercise at baseline and 1 week.
This study takes place at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, 818 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC. An honorarium of $100 will be provided to you in cash at the completion of your participation in this study.
Want more information?
If you are interested in participating or would like some more information, please contact Zhen at: walkUBC@gmail.com or by phone (604) 675-8815. Principal Investigator: Dr. Tania Lam (604) 675-8807 / tania.lam@ubc.ca
Posted in News, Research Studies | Tagged Human Locomotion Lab, Lam, Lokomat, participate, research study
By admin on April 14, 2011
We are interested in quantitatively measuring proprioceptive function (the ability to sense the position and movement of your limbs) in persons with spinal cord injury.
Your participation will involve: Two laboratory visits of 2-4 hours each, at least one week apart, at the Human Locomotion Research Laboratory at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre (818 W 10th Ave, Vancouver). We will be measuring your joint angles and leg movements while you are attached to a special rehabilitation device, the Lokomat.
We are looking for interested volunteers who:
- have had a spinal cord injury at least 6 months ago
- can stand or walk as part of your daily activities
- are in stable medical condition
- have no muscle pain or broken bones
We are also looking for interested volunteers who do not have a history of SCI to serve as controls.
If you are interested in participating or would like some more information, please contact Antoinette at: walkUBC@gmail.com or by phone (604) 675-8814
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tania Lam – tel: (604) 675-8807 – email: tania.lam@ubc.ca
Posted in News, Research Studies | Tagged Human Locomotion Lab, Lam, locomotion, Lokomat, participate, proprioception, research study
By admin on February 23, 2011
POWER WHEELCHAIR MOBILITY STUDY
This project aims to find out how older adults adapt to their power wheelchairs over a two-year period and how these devices affect important aspects of their lives.
You can participate in this study if you:
- use or are in the process of obtaining a power wheelchair;
- are 50 years old or older;
- live in the community.
What do you need to do?
You will be required to attend 7 testing sessions over a period of two years. Each session will take 2-3 hours.
Where?
These sessions can take place either at G.F. Strong (4255 Laurel Street, Vancouver), Blusson Spinal Cord Centre (818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver), at your home, or a location of your convenience.
Subjects will be paid a participation fee.
Who to contact for more information?
For more information or to take part in this study, please call Elmira Chan at 604-714-4108 or by email at canwheel@gmail.com
Principal Investigator: Dr. Bill Miller
Posted in Announcements, Research Studies | Tagged mobility, older adults, participate, power, research, wheelchair
By admin on February 18, 2011
Researchers from the University of British Columbia, ICORD, and G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre are looking for volunteers to participate in a research study examining confidence with using manual wheelchairs.
The purpose of this study is to better understand the influence that confidence with using a manual wheelchair has on an individual’s ability to independently move around his or her home and community, and participate in society while using a wheelchair.
You are invited to take part in this research study if you:
- Are at least 50 years of age;
- Live in the community, or assisted living homes;
- Use your wheelchair daily; and
- Have at least 6 months of experience using a manual wheelchair.
If you choose to enroll and are eligible to participate in this study you will be required to participate in one 2.5 hour data collection session. You may also be asked to allow us to electronically monitor the use of your wheelchair for one week.
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 about this study, please contact Brodie Sakakibara at 604-737-6310 or by email at brodie@interchange.ubc.ca.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Bill Miller
Posted in News, Research Studies
By admin on November 9, 2010
The Effects of L-Carnitine on Fatigue in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Andrea Townson; Co-Investigators: Dr. Hugh Anton, & Dr. William C. Miller
Want to participate in our research study?
We are looking for individuals who are:
- Spinal cord injury outpatients or individuals living with SCI in the community with moderate to severe fatigue.
What does this study involve?
- Treatment with a pharmaceutical product that has been shown to alleviate mental, physical and muscular fatigue, while assessing treatment effects with 2 biweekly questionnaires and a daily self-report log.
When and where does this study take place?
- 4 weeks of treatment, 3 weeks of follow-up
- The initial interview and 3 subsequent visits to GF Strong will take less than an hour each; treatment and weekly follow-ups can be done from home.
- Starting January 2011 at GF Strong Rehab Centre
For more information please contact Research Coordinator: Bita Imam at 604-714-4108 or Bita.Imam@vch.ca
To find out more about who are conducting this study please consult: www.fatiguefunction.icord.org
Posted in Research Studies
By admin on October 25, 2010
Dr. Bonita Sawatzky and Megan MacGillivray conducted a study to determine the differences in crutch gait between the SideStixä crutch and a traditional crutch.
Although forearm crutches are helpful, many people experience overuse injuries as a result of using the forearm crutch. Injuries to the wrists, elbows and shoulders are commonly experienced with long-term use of the forearm crutch. This research project examined differences between the traditional forearm crutch and a newly developed SideStixä crutch. The SideStixä crutch has been developed with a spring-like device and rotating footpads.
If you would like more information about this project, please call the project coordinator, Megan at 604.675.8856 or
Email: megank84@interchange.ubc.ca or Dr. Bonita Sawatzky bonitas@interchange.ubc.ca
Principal Investigator: Dr. Bonita Sawatzky
Posted in News, Research Studies
By admin on October 25, 2010
Do you want to know how well you wheel?
- Do you use a manual wheelchair for your day-to-day mobility?
- Are you between 6 and 65 years of age?
- Do you use 22”, 24” or 25” wheels on your wheelchair?
Dr. Bonita Sawatzky and Megan MacGillivray are conducting a study to determine the relationship between wheelchair skills and manual wheeling characteristics.
Many manual wheelchair users will eventually experience shoulder pain as a result of overuse injuries. It is believed that wheeling strategy and the ability to properly perform skills plays a role in whether or not a manual wheelchair user will experience shoulder pain. We would like to evaluate your wheelchair skills and study how you wheel with respect to forces applied to the wheelchair and other wheeling characteristics including your speed and the frequency that you push at.
If you are interested in participating in this study, you will come to ICORD at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre for 1 testing session lasting approximately one hour. You will complete a wheelchair skills course and wheel on different surfaces using a special “Smart wheel” attached to your wheelchair. At the end of the testing session you will be given a report of your results to take home.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please call the project coordinator, Megan at 604.675.8856 or
Email: megank84@interchange.ubc.ca or Dr. Bonita Sawatzky bonitas@interchange.ubc.ca
Principal Investigator: Dr. Bonita Sawatzky
Posted in News, Research Studies
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
Researchers at ICORD are looking for people with paraplegia (with lesion level above T6) or tetraplegia to take part in a study that aims to understand more about abdominal muscle function in persons with spinal cord injury and how these muscles may be used during activities of daily living.
