Latest ICORD Research Studies:

Acquisition and retention of a skilled locomotor task in people with spinal cord injury
Drs. Tania Lam and Amanda Chisolm and their team are recruiting participants on the study of learning skilled locomotor tasks in people with spinal cord injury. The study will evaluate how much performance initially improves and is maintained with the Read More…

Increasing knowledge and physical activity participation levels in people with SCI
Dr. Tania Lam and her research team are currently recruiting SCI participants for a research study investigating the effects of knowledge translation on exercise self-efficacy and physical activity levels in people with SCI. This research study is proposing that by Read More…

Improving bladder and cardiovascular function following SCI
Dr. Andrei Krassioukov and his research team are currently recruiting SCI participants for a clinical research study investigating the effects of fesoterodine (TOVIAZ®) on episodes of high blood pressure triggered by bladder contractions. Unlike regular hypertension, individuals with episodes of Read More…

Arm-Spinning for SCI
Spinning People Into Neuromotion: Upper-body Programs for SCI (SPIN UP for SCI) This pilot study will recruit individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury to participate in an 8 week ‘arm-spin class.’ Participants will attend one-hour classes once per Read More…

Evaluating a fatigue assessment for adults with spinal cord injury
Fatigue is a common secondary health complication associated with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and greatly affects physical and psychological functioning. To develop effective fatigue management programs, clinicians first must be able to assess the underlying factors associated with fatigue. Dr. Read More…

Updated: BOTOX for neurogenic bladder and prevention of autonomic dysreflexia following spinal cord injury
Purpose of this study: Urinary bladder dysfunctions are commonly associated with life threatening episodes of hypertension known as autonomic dysreflexia (AD). Numerous studies have reported a direct link between an overactive bladder and AD. Botulinum Toxin A (BOTOX) is a Read More…

Factors influencing physical activity: what gets people moving?
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis, McMaster University Researchers are trying to develop evidence-based interventions to promote physical activity in people with SCI, and need your help for around 10 minutes. They’d like to talk to you in-person or by phone Read More…

What is the relationship between physical activity and heart function in people with SCI?
ICORD Principal Investigator Dr. Christopher West and his colleagues are conducting a study on the effects of physical activity and sympathetic cardiac regulation on cardiac function in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. What’s involved? If you take part in Read More…

Evaluation of a questionnaire for assessment of spasticity in spinal cord injury
The purpose of this study is to find out if a questionnaire called the Penn Spasms Frequency Scale (PSFS) is a good method of measuring how often involuntary muscle spasms occur and, if they do occur, how severe they are Read More…

Imaging the spinal cord: does pain matter?
ICORD Researchers Drs. Cornelia Laule and John Kramer, along with Drs. Shannon Kollind and Erin MacMillan, are investigating the causes of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury. They are currently recruiting participants for their study, entitled Relationship between cervical spinal Read More…