Research Studies

Miami Project Research Studies

The research studies listed below contain information about many of the active clinical protocols underway at The Miami Project.  If you would like to be considered for any of the following Miami Project studies, please see Becoming a Research Participant. If you feel you fit the criteria for a particular study and require further information, send us a message or call the Miami Project Education Office at 305-243-7108. In addition to the Miami Project studies listed below, SCI studies in the Miami area are also underway at the South Florida SCI Model System, the Miami VA Rehabilitation Research Center of Excellence in Functional Recovery and SCI and the University of Miami Center on Aging. Effects of Massed Practice and Peripheral Stimulation on Functional and Cortical Plasticity in Individuals with Incomplete SCI and Non-Disabled Subjects Purpose: To investigate whether massed practice, or massed practice combined with electrical stimulation, produce improvements in pinch strength and upper extremity function in people with SCI. Criteria: Between the ages of 16 and 70 with SCI at C7 or above, voluntary thumb movement Duration: Visit laboratory for 2-hour sessions 5 days per week for 3 weeks Contact: Larisa Hoffman, MS,PT Comparison of Locomotor Training Techniques for Individuals with SCI Purpose: To investigate walking training techniques for people with incomplete SCI. Criteria: Between 16 - 65 years old; incomplete injury between C1 and T10; able to step with at least one leg withoutthe use of braces that support the knee. Duration: Visit laboratory 5 days per week for 14 weeks Contact: Kathleen Manella, MS, PT Measuring the Effects of Vibratory Input on Individuals with SCI Purpose: To investigate change in sensory perception, abnormal spinal reflex activity, muscle activity, and walking function when vibratory input is provided to the arms or legs of individuals with SCI. Criteria: Between the ages of 16 and 65 with SCI at or above T10 Duration: Visit laboratory for four, 2-hour sessions Contact: Lanitia Ness MR Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic and Outcome Measure in Pain and SCI Purpose: The ultimate goal of our research is to improve understanding of the chronic pain experienced in many with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to improve treatment.  To accomplish this, we hope to determine the relationship between brain chemistry and ongoing pain conditions in people with SCI. Criteria: 18 to 70 years of age, SCI (caused by trauma) for at least 2 years, both those who experience pain and those without pain, willingness to undergo a MRI scan (approx. 1.5 hours). Duration: 1 screening session (approximately 2 to 3 hours) to see if you qualify; 1 or 2  testing sessions lasting about 6 hours with breaks and lunch (this includes the MRI scan). The testing session(s) will be completed over a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Contacts: Jim Adcock, Letitia Fisher, Elizabeth Felix, Yenisel Cruz Fertility Evaluation Purpose: To determine the cause of low sperm motility in men with SCI. Criteria: Men; between 18- 45 years old; all levels of injury Duration: Visit laboratory about once a month Contact: Sonny Aballa Comparative Study of Intermittent Catheters and Occurrence of Urinary Tract Infections Purpose: To investigate the frequency of urinary tract infections with symptoms in spinal cord injured patients requiring intermittent catheterization for emptying the bladder. Criteria: 18 Years and above, traumatic spinal cord injury within 3 months prior to inclusion, neurogenic bladder dysfunction requiring intermittent catheterization at least 3 times daily Contact: Qing He Effects of Whole-body Vibration on Leg Spasticity Purpose: To evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration on leg spasticity, ankle clonus, walking function, initiation of walking and balance in individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. Criteria: 18 years and above, Over 1 year injury, T10 or above, able to stand for at least one minute, able to initiate stepping motion on both lower extremities and have a positive flexor withdrawal response. Duration: 13 sessions (3 times a week for 4 weeks followed by a post-test) Contact: Stephen Lindley Walking Training for Children with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of locomotor training using body weight support and a treadmill to improve walking ability, strength, balance, and daily functional activities in children with incomplete spinal cord injury. Criteria: Between ages of 4-15 years old; incomplete spinal cord injury at or above T10, at least 1 year post injury, ability to stand briefly with assistance, history of walking prior to injury. Duration: Child will participate for approximately two hours for five days (for evaluations before & after training).  Training sessions will be conducted three times per week, for approximately one hour, for twelve weeks. Contact: Kathleen J. Manella, MS, PT Activity in Muscles Paralyzed by SCI Purpose: To determine the typical frequency and strength of muscle spasms after cervical SCI. Criteria: Between 18-60 years old; injury between C4 and C8; at least 1 year post injury Duration: Two assessments, each two consecutive days (up to 4 hours in the lab on the first day followed by a 24 hour recording using a portable device that the person takes home; up to 2 hours in the lab on the second day). Contact: Christine Thomas, Ph.D. Effects of Virtual Circuit Exercise Training Program for Adolescents with Spinal Cord Injuries Purpose: To determine if a combination of game-play ergometry and virtual resistance exercise help strength andwheelchair functions in adolescents with spinal cord injuries. Criteria: Between 8-18 years old; medically stable SCI, for more than one year, at the C7-L1 spinal levels, in good health with no history of heart, blood vessel, muscle, and bone disorders. Duration: Assessments, performed on two non-consecutive days 4 weeks prior to testing (2 to 4 hours). Exercise training, performed for 16 weeks (1-2 hours). Contact: Mark Nash, Ph.D. Effects of Exercise on Prandial Lipemia and Fat Oxidation after Tetraplegia Purpose: To learn how physical conditioning and acute exercise, with and without a protein supplement effects: 1. The risk of blood vessel and cardiovascular disease, 2. Whether acute and chronic exercise training and dietary supplementation can possibly lessen the risk of blood vessel disease, 3. The breakdown of dietary and body fats in persons with chronic tetraplegia.  Criteria: 18-55 years with tetraplegia at the C5-8 levels for more than one year, Independent living person who is recreationally active and experienced in performing circuit resistance exercise and clinical exercise programs. Duration: The investigation will be studied for a 9 month period. A 3-month 'waitlist' control strategy to obtain data on 'untreated' subjects will precede a 26 week (6 month) training period. Contact: Mark Nash, Ph.D. Validity and Predictive Value of a 6-Minute Wheelchair Propulsion Test in Persons with Chronic Paraplegia Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine whether a 6-minute wheelchair propulsion test performed on stationary rollers can predict the level of fitness of an individual with chronic spinal cord injury. Criteria: 18-50 years old with a spinal cord injury that occurred more than one year ago, complete muscle paralysis between the T5-L1 spinal levels, in good health without current illness, and no conditions of the heart or muscles that keep one from undergoing vigorous exercise. Duration: Visit laboratory once a week for approximately 5 weeks Contact: Mark Nash, Ph.D. Effects of Antecedent Exercise on Post Prandial Glycemia and Lipemia in Persons with Chronic Paraplegia Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to learn how food affects blood vessels and the possible risks of blood vessel disease. It will also determine whether a single session of exercise can possibly lessen the risk of blood vessel disease and abnormal blood vessel function that follows the intake of food. Criteria: 18-50 years with paraplegia at the T5 to L1 levels for more than one year, Independent living person who is recreationally active and experienced in performing circuit resistance exercise and clinical exercise programs. Duration: Visit laboratory approximately 4-5 days. Contact: Mark Nash, Ph.D. Effectiveness of Acupuncture Treatment in Management of Shoulder Pain in Persons with Chronic SCI Purpose: The primary purpose of this research is to determine if acupuncture treatment is effective for relieving shoulder pain among people with SCI who use a manual wheelchair. Criteria: 18-50 years and have a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury between levels T6 and L1. Duration: This study will last for 17 weeks (2 weeks of assessment followed by 15 weeks of active study) Contact: Mark Nash, Ph.D. or John E. Lewis, Ph.D. Nutrient Strategies to Enhance Muscle Function in Persons with Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries Purpose: To examine whether ingestion of liquid protein and carbohydrates immediately following exercise enhances endurance in individuals with complete or incomplete SCI. Criteria: 18 and 50 years old and have a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury below the T6 (injury of 1 year or more) Duration: Testing will take place on five consecutive days (Monday through Friday) for two consecutive weeks. Contact: Mark Nash, Ph.D.

Surveys

Health and Wellness Survey: Living with SCI Thank you for taking time to help us with identifying important health and wellness issues that are significant to you as a person with spinal cord injury. This valuable information will be gathered to help the Health and Wellness Project at Mount Sinai Department of Rehabilitation determine which issues will be addressed in educational webcast presentations. This project is funded by the Craig T. Neilsen Foundation in collaboration with NSCIA and its affiliate chapters.  Click here for the survey

Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center
Tampa General Rehabilitation Center
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1289, Room R212, Tampa, FL 33601
Physical Address: 2 Columbia Drive, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-844-4286 / 813-844-4287
Toll-Free: 800-995-8544
FAX: 813-844-4322
E-mail: info@flspinalcord.us

The Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center is sponsored through a grant with the Florida Department of Health, Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program. The contract is administered by the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology.