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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
SIT-PT: Comparison of Two Physical Therapy Approaches for Young Children Beginning to Sit
Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Communication-Related Diagnoses Studies
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Studies
no studies currently seeking volunteers
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Studies
Stroke Studies
Restoration of hand and arm function after stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Studies
Pain Management Studies
Music Based Treatment and Pain
Cerebral Palsy Studies
SIT-PT: Comparison of Two Physical Therapy Approaches for Young Children Beginning to Sit
The purpose of the SIT-PT study is trying to compare 2 different forms of physical therapy for children who have or at high risk of cerebral palsy. To evaluate these 2 interventions the participants are randomly assigned (like flipping a coin), with half the children participating in each of the interventions. Both interventions are designed to help improve the child’s motor skills, but one focuses on motor skills while the other focuses on both thinking and motor skills. Both programs include 2 physical therapy sessions per week provided in your home or our office, based on the distance. The intervention lasts for 3 months (24 therapy visits), and all study visits are provided to you free of charge. You can continue with all of your current services as well.
In addition to the intervention, all infants complete 5 play-based assessment sessions over a one-year period. All of the study assessments can be conducted in your home or, if you prefer, in our research lab, by a trained assessor.
Your child may be eligible to participate if he/she meets these criteria:
- Your child is between 8-24 months of age (adjusted for prematurity, if applicable)
- Your child has a motor delay or has a medical history that indicates a high risk of cerebral palsy
- Your child can NOT get in and out of sitting by him/her self
For more details or to contact the research team, please visit: start-play.unl.edu/research-program/#current-studies
Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation for Children with Cerebral Palsy
The Restorative Technologies Laboratory is currently recruiting children and youth with Cerebral Palsy for a skin-surface stimulation study to improve spasticity and mobility. Participants will receive advanced treadmill training combined with skin-surface electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. Children may be eligible for this study if they are age 4 or older, of GMFCS level I-IV with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy. All study visits occur at UW (parking reimbursed). If you have questions or are interested in participating, please contact Siddhi Shrivastav, MS, at siddhis@uw.edu or 973.444.1940.
Communication-Related Diagnoses Studies
Paid online survey study for people with Parkinson's disease, head and neck cancer, dementia, or spasmodic dysphonia
The purpose of the study is to better understand how to support people with diagnoses that affects communication, and the important people in their lives to stay connected through communication. This online survey study will take about 30-45 minutes to complete. It is open to U.S. residents with any of the following diagnoses: suspected dementia or mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, spasmodic dysphonia (laryngeal dystonia), and head and neck cancer To begin, visit UW SPEAC Lab. The person with the diagnosis must start the survey and nominate at least one family member / friend /coworker in the survey to participate.
For questions, please contact: speaclab@uw.edu
Multiple Sclerosis Studies
Stroke Studies
Restoration of hand and arm function after stroke
This study aims to test the therapeutic potential of transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation for restoring motor function in the upper limb in stroke survivors. Participation involves 60 minutes sessions three times per week for 12 weeks to get stimulation combined with exercise therapy and undergo assessments of upper limb function and electrophysiologic tests. Participants will repeat the same assessments three months later. Study compensation is $20 per visit. Additionally, participants will get a parking voucher if they drive and park on campus.
Contact Information:
Fatma Inanici – finanici@uw.edu, (206) 787 2692
Adria Robert Gonzales – adriarg@uw.edu
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Studies
Non-invasive closed-loop spinal stimulation for restoration of upper extremity function after spinal cord injury
The study aims to test the therapeutic potential of closed-loop electrical stimulation to restore hand and arm function after spinal cord injury. Additionally, we will compare the efficacy of closed-loop stimulation with continuous stimulation.
Participation involves 90 minutes sessions three times per week for 18 weeks to receive stimulation combined with exercise therapy and undergo assessments of upper limb function and electrophysiologic tests. Participants will repeat the same assessments three months later. Study compensation is $40 per visit. Additionally, participants will get a parking voucher if they drive and park on campus.
Contact Information:
Fatma Inanici – finanici@uw.edu, (206) 787 2692
Adria Robert Gonzales – adriarg@uw.edu
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Studies
Late Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (LE-TBI): A collaborative study to improve knowledge about the long-term effects of TBI
Principal Investigator
Jeanne Hoffman, PhD
The Late Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury study (LE-TBI) is a collaborative project focused on increasing knowledge about long-term effects of TBI.
Studies researching donated brain tissue following death are critical because they are among the best methods to identify preventative and new treatments for brain disorders. The LE-TBI project represents the most scientifically rigorous effort to date to improve our understanding of long-term outcomes of single and multiple TBIs.
Participation involves a 4-5 hour visit to the University of Washington Medical Center to undergo brain imaging, neuropsychological testing, a blood draw for genomic analysis, and an interview. We will pay you $50 for participating in the study visit. We will also provide you with a $15 lunch voucher. Participants may be invited back every 2 to 3 years to complete the same assessments, including brain imaging, testing, and a blood draw.
Please note: By agreeing to this research, you are not consenting to brain tissue donation; that can only be obtained from your next of kin in the hours following your death. You are only signing that this is your intent at this time. By making your wishes known, you ease the burden on your next of kin.
Are you interested in learning more? Please contact Laurie at (206)744-3607 or peabody@uw.edu.
Visit our website www.tbi.washington.edu
Late Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Military Veterans (LE-TBI-MIL): Military Veteran Brain Tissue Donor Program
Principal Investigator
Jeanne Hoffman, PhD
The Late Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Military Veterans study (LE-TBI-MIL) is a collaborative project focused on increasing knowledge about long-term effects of TBI in the Veteran population.
Studies researching donated brain tissue following death are critical because they are among the best methods to identify preventative and new treatments for brain disorders. The LE-TBI-MIL project represents the most scientifically rigorous effort to date to improve our understanding of long-term outcomes of single and multiple TBIs and specifically for the Veteran population.
Participation involves a 4-5 hour visit to the University of Washington Medical Center to undergo brain imaging, neuropsychological testing, a blood draw for genomic analysis, and an interview. We will pay you $50 for participating in the study visit. We will also provide you with a $15 lunch voucher. Participants may be invited back every 2 to 3 years to complete the same assessments, including brain imaging, testing, and a blood draw.
Please note: By agreeing to this research, you are not consenting to brain tissue donation; that can only be obtained from your next of kin in the hours following your death. You are only signing that this is your intent at this time. By making your wishes known, you ease the burden on your next of kin.
Are you interested in learning more? Please contact Laurie at (206)744-3607 or peabody@uw.edu.
Visit our website www.tbi.washington.edu
Pain Management Studies
Music Based Treatment and Pain
Principal Investigator
Mark Jensen, PhD
Researchers have discovered that music may help people manage their pain, but they
don't know why it helps. The purpose of this study is to find out how music-based
treatments change brain wave activity, and how these changes may explain how these
types of treatments improve chronic low back pain.
Study participation will involve one visit to the University of Washington for about 1.5-2 hours, and 2 assessments over the phone which will take 15-30 minutes to complete. Participants will be compensated up to $80 if all study procedures are completed.
The study is looking for both individuals with chronic low back pain AND individuals who are NOT experiencing pain.
Contact Ai Vy Nguyen 206-616-9513 if interested.
Featured Research Articles
Traumatic Brain Injury
View the latest research articles on Traumatic Brain Injury written by faculty from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Volunteer to Participate in our Research Studies
The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine is looking for volunteers to participate in research studies on Multiple Sclerosis & Pain Management, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
