When we move around our environments, our body uses special organs in our head/ears (the vestibular system) to monitor our movement and maintain balance. After a spinal cord injury (SCI), the vestibular system often has to adapt to new movement patterns and works hard to maintain balance in people who walk or wheel. Researchers Dr. Tania Lam and Dr. Jean-Sébastien Blouin want to understand more about how the vestibular system adapts to SCI and the new types of movement patterns that the vestibular system needs to interpret.
In this study, participants will be asked to wear small movement-detecting sensors while they complete various everyday movement tasks in and around ICORD. The sensors will be placed your feet, hands, chest, and on a special mouthguard that is custom-fit to your upper teeth. Researchers will combine the data collected from these sensors with a 3D scan of your head to explore the different movement signals that the vestibular system has to interpret in people with SCI.
Why should you participate?
The vestibular system is important for balance and researchers have started to develop therapies to target the vestibular system to improve balance and other health outcomes in people with SCI. The results from this study will help us better understand the different movement signals the vestibular system has to interpret after SCI, so clinicians and researchers may design better therapies that target the vestibular system.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
- Are age 19 or older.
- Have a chronic spinal cord injury that has caused motor (movement) impairment.
- Can speak and understand English.
You may not be eligible to participate if you:
- Experience regular vertigo, or have a known vestibular injury/diagnosis.
- Have a traumatic brain injury.
- Are experiencing an acute medical condition/injury that limits your regular movement or community participation.
Time commitment: This study involves two visits to our laboratory at ICORD. The first visit takes approximately 1 hour, and the second visit takes approximately 2 hours.
Compensation for participation: The decision to participate is up to you. If you decide to participate, you will receive an honourarium.
For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact study coordinator Alison Williams by email or at (604) 675-8815.
