Studies Seeking Volunteers

Several of our research studies are currently seeking volunteers. If you would like to participate in, or learn more about one of the projects listed below, please contact the person listed for that project.

Cerebral Palsy Studies

Neurogame Therapy for Improvement of Gait and Balance in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Rehabilitation Gaming Research Study to Improve Arm/Hand Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Pain Management Studies

Enhancement of MS Pain Treatment Study

Power over Pain (POP) Study

Parkinson's Disease Studies

Tandem Biking Class for Parkinson’s

Stroke Studies

Rehabilitation Gaming Research Study to Improve Arm/Hand Function in Adults post Stroke

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Studies

Power over Pain (POP) Study

SCI-CARE Study

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Studies

Interpersonal Skills Treatment for TBI Survivors

Anger Self-Management Training - A Multi-Center Trial

Treatment for Social Competence in Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A Pilot Study

Rehabilitation Gaming Research Study to Improve Arm/Hand Function in Adults post Traumatic Brain Injury

Cerebral Palsy Studies

We want to study a special way of having children with cerebral palsy practice leg muscle contractions using a video game. We will measure how your child moves and controls his/her legs while walking, standing, and lying down. Participation in the study requires that you travel to the University of Washington (UW) 5 times and up to 10 times if you participate in the study. You will receive a stipend for time and travel expenses for each test session and parking reimbursement for each visit to the UW for this study.

You may qualify for this study if your child:

• Is between 8-18 years of age
• Has cerebral palsy with difficulty using both legs
• Drags toes during walking (without orthotics if typically worn)
• Can speak and understand English

For more information please contact Torey Gilbertson, PT at gilbet@uw.edu* or call 425.444.7151
*We cannot ensure confidentiality of email communication

Children with cerebral palsy sometimes have difficulty using one arm/hand. The purpose of this research study is to learn more about a new program that practices movements in the arm and hand using a computer game program. The research study can be done in the laboratory or at home. Participation in the study requires that you travel to the University of Washington nine times if you participate in the laboratory study and four times if you participate in the home study.

You may qualify for this study if your child:

• Is between 8-16 years of age
• Has cerebral palsy with difficulty using one arm/hand
• Can speak and understand English

For more information please contact Dianne Rios, OTR/L at dirios@uw.edu* or call 206.616.0383
*We cannot ensure confidentiality of email communication

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Pain Management Studies

Researchers at the University of Washington are looking for volunteers to participate in a treatment study for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study is to see if two different types of relaxation techniques (self-hypnosis, or self-hypnosis with neurofeedback training) will help with chronic pain.

This study involves five study visits and three sets of telephone interviews over approximately 2 months.

You must be at least 18 years old, have a diagnosis of MS, and experience moderate to severe pain on a regular basis to participate in this study. You will be paid $20 for completing each set of telephone interviews. Compensation for parking or bus passes will also be provided.

For further information please contact Holly George at 206.616.8205.

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI) often experience chronic pain. Different types of treatment that include self-hypnosis, education about chronic pain, and learning skills on how to change how a person thinks about his/her pain have been used to treat chronic pain in the general population. The purpose of this study is to see if these different treatments can help decrease pain in people with MS and SCI, and how and why these treatments are effective.

Participation in the study involves:

• Four in-person treatment sessions that last about 60 minutes;
• Two in-person brain activity assessments at the University of Washington before and after treatment that last about one hour;
• Telephone interviews before, during and after treatment.

Participation in the study will last approximately 14 months. Compensation for completion of the brain activity assessments, telephone interviews, and parking will be provided.

You may be eligible to participate if you are at least 18 years of age, have MS or SCI, and experience chronic pain.

For further information about this study, please contact research staff at 206.221.7224 or toll-free 1-800-570-5576. You may also provide your contact information by filling out a brief online form and our research staff will contact you shortly.

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Parkinson's Disease Studies

The University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine is seeking volunteers with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to participate in a research study on the effects of stationary tandem biking. Working with a healthy riding partner, participants will gradually increase their riding intensity and duration on a tandem bicycle during a 10-week class. Guidance will be provided in the areas of bike fitting, goal setting, and training tips for health and fitness. A physical therapist and exercise assistant will lead the class. Classes will be held at the Magnuson Park, Brig Building. Our next sessions will begin October 1, 2012, January 7, 2013 and April 1st, 2013.

Three testing sessions will be held at UW Northwest Hospital. Each session will last 2.5 hours. We will test your memory, problem solving, and motor function for walking, speech and movement. We will also ask you to ride a stationary bike for 12-14 minutes at moderate intensity.

You may qualify for this study if:

• you have a diagnosis of PD
• you are between 45 & 75 years old
• you do NOT have a diagnosis of heart disease, diabetes or severe joint pain
• you have NOT completed a tandem biking program

Participation in this study is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to pay $60.00 for the Tandem Biking Class. You will receive $20.00 for each testing session (a total of $60.00 for the entire study).

For more information contact Ellen McGough, PT, PhD at 206.543.2681 or emcg@uw.edu *

*We cannot ensure confidentiality of email communication.

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Stroke Studies

Adults who have had a stroke sometimes have difficulty using one arm/hand. The purpose of this research study is to learn more about a new program that practices movements in the arm and hand using a computer game program. The research study can be done in the laboratory or at home. Participation in the study requires that you travel to the University of Washington nine times if you participate in the laboratory study and four times if you participate in the home study.

You may qualify for this study if you:

• Are between 21 -75 years of age
• Have had a stroke and have difficulty using one arm/hand
• Can read, speak, and understand English

For more information please contact Dianne Rios, OTR/L at dirios@uw.edu* or call 206.616.0383
*We cannot ensure confidentiality of email communication

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Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Studies

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI) often experience chronic pain. Different types of treatment that include self-hypnosis, education about chronic pain, and learning skills on how to change how a person thinks about his/her pain have been used to treat chronic pain in the general population. The purpose of this study is to see if these different treatments can help decrease pain in people with MS and SCI, and how and why these treatments are effective.

Participation in the study involves:

• Four in-person treatment sessions that last about 60 minutes;
• Two in-person brain activity assessments at the University of Washington before and after treatment that last about one hour;
• Telephone interviews before, during and after treatment.

Participation in the study will last approximately 14 months. Compensation for completion of the brain activity assessments, telephone interviews, and parking will be provided.

You may be eligible to participate if you are at least 18 years of age, have MS or SCI, and experience chronic pain.

For further information about this study, please contact research staff at 206.221.7224 or toll-free 1-800-570-5576. You may also provide your contact information by filling out a brief online form and our research staff will contact you shortly.

Managing your health can be difficult; managing medications, getting relevant health information, or making important lifestyle changes are not easy. This study is designed to improve care for people with SCI who are dealing with pain, low mood, or being less active than they want to be.

Participants will be randomly assigned (50/50) to receive either usual medical care or usual care plus a health assistant who will:

• Strengthen the connection between you and your doctor or nurse practitioner.
• Monitor your progress and assist with any problems that keep you from reaching your goals.
• Relay information to and from your healthcare provider in between appointments.
• Offer non-medical alternatives to pain, mood, or becoming more active.
• Study participation will take place over 4 months.
• Participants will complete 3 questionnaires by phone (at the beginning of the study, at 4 months, and at 8 months).
• There is payment of up to $50 for eligible participants.

You may qualify if you are:

• A person with a traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.
• At least 18 years old.
• Receive care at either Harborview or UW Medical Center Rehabilitation Clinics.

Most study activities will take place over the phone or at regularly scheduled clinic visits. Extra trips to Harborview or UW facilities will not be necessary to participate in the study.

Learn more about this study and find out if you qualify by calling Missy at 206.744.3608 (Toll Free 866.495.7015) or send an email to scicare@uw.edu (Note: We cannot guarantee confidentiality of information sent via email)

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Studies

Treatment for Social Competence in Military Veterans, Service Members and Civilians with Traumatic Brain Injury. This study is a multisite, randomized, controlled trial of a group intervention to improve social competence in survivors of mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI).

You may qualify for this study if you:

• Have had a traumatic brain injury
• Find it hard to interact with other people
• Find it difficult to make and keep friends
• Have problems getting along with family or co-workers

If you qualify for the study, you would take part in a 13 week treatment program at Harborview Medical Center with about 7 other individuals who have had a TBI.

If you are interested in learning more about taking part in this study, please call Leslie Kempthorne, Study Coordinator, at 206.543.0219 or 1.800.246.6968 or ette@uw.edu
[Note that we cannot ensure confidentiality via email]

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Do you have trouble controlling your anger since you had your brain injury? Do you experience more irritability now than you did before your injury? If so, you might be able to participate in a research study about anger and/or irritability following traumatic brain injury. The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of two different treatment methods, in helping people with traumatic brain injury manage problematic anger or irritability. Both treatments involve working one-on-one with a therapist.

You may qualify for this study if you:

• Were 16 or older when you sustained your traumatic brain injury
• Are currently less than 65 years old
• Have anger/irritability that is new since your traumatic brain injury or worse than before your traumatic brain injury

Participation in the study will last for about 20 weeks from the initial screening to the last follow-up assessment. During this time you will participate in 8 treatment sessions of up to 90 minutes each, scheduled one week apart. You will also have your feelings of anger and irritability evaluated before, during and after treatment. You will receive up to $175.00 for your time for the evaluation sessions. You will also be reimbursed for portion of your transportation costs. The treatment sessions will be free.

For more information please contact Sara Wellnitz, RN, BSN (phone: 206.744.9319; email: wellnitz@uw.edu) or Joan Machamer (phone: 206.616.0340; email: machamer@uw.edu) [Note that we cannot ensure confidentiality via email]

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This study is a multisite, pilot study of a group intervention to improve social competence in survivors of mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI).

You may be eligible for this study if you:

• Have traumatic brain injury
• Find it hard to interact with other people
• Find it difficult to make and keep friends
• Have problems getting along with family or co-workers

If you qualify for the study, you would take part in a 13 week treatment program at University of Washington or Harborview Medical Center with about 7 other individuals who have had a TBI.

If you are interested in learning more about taking part in this study, please contact Leslie Kempthorne, Study Coordinator: 206.543.0219 or 1.800.246.6968, ette@uw.edu*
*We cannot ensure confidentiality of email communication

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Adults who have had a traumatic brain injury sometimes have difficulty using one arm/hand. The purpose of this research study is to learn more about a new program that practices movements in the arm and hand using a computer game program. The research study can be done in the laboratory or at home. Participation in the study requires that you travel to the University of Washington nine times if you participate in the laboratory study and four times if you participate in the home study.

You may qualify for this study if you:

• Are between 21 -75 years of age
• Have had a traumatic brain injury and have difficulty using one arm/hand
• Can read, speak, and understand English

For more information please contact Dianne Rios, OTR/L at dirios@uw.edu* or call 206.616.0383
*We cannot ensure confidentiality of email communication

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