Research
The Northeast Ohio Regional SCI System (NORSCIS) provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the care of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). NORSCIS is funded by the NIDILRR and is 1 of only 18 fully funded SCI Model System centers.
NORSCIS provides a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals with traumatic SCI that includes emergency medical services, acute care services, acute medical rehabilitation services, and post-acute services; conducts high quality research that is targeted at reducing the health burden of SCI by generating evidence-based interventions; and contributes significant numbers of under-represented minorities to the National SCI Database.
Interested in participating in a research study?
Join the MetroHealth SCI Registry!
There is no fee to sign up. Follow the link and answer a few questions about your spinal cord injury.
You may be contacted later for future studies involving SCI research.
Visit: redcap.link/MHSCIregistry
Consider other SCI Research at MetroHealth in Cleveland, around the world or from the list below.
Actively Recruiting Studies (Outpatient)
Ambulatory Closed Loop Bladder Stimulation
Purpose
Bladder control is a significant challenge after spinal cord injury. This study tests a wearable device to automatically detect and stop unwanted bladder contractions in order to stop or prevent urinary urgency and incontinence.
Brief Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria
Spinal Cord Injury above S1
At least 6 months since SCI
Bladder Overactivity
No active infection
No pressure ulcers
Impact of Short Term Genital Nerve Stimulation on Bowel Function
Purpose
For people living with spinal cord injury, bowel control and dysfunction are among their biggest perceived challenges. This study is testing whether electrical stimulation of the skin in the pelvic area can reduce the reflexes that cause bowel accidents.
If You Qualify and Participate
You will receive different levels of genital nerve stimulation for short periods of time while measuring the bowel response; You will need to complete 1-2 in-person evaluations lasting up to 6-7 hours total; If you decide to participate you will receive some compensation and assistance with travel.
Brief Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria
At least 18 years of age
Traumatic spinal cord injury between cervical level 1 and thoracic level 12
Your spinal cord injury occurred at least 6 months ago
ReHAB (Reconnecting the Hand and Arm to the Brain)
Purpose
The study looks at restoring hand and arm movement to people with paralyzed arms from a spinal cord injury. Intended movements are recorded from the brain, and the nerves in their arm are stimulated to produce those intended movements. More information from the study can be found at the rehabstudy.org website.
Brief Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria
Spinal Cord Injury above C6
At least 12 months since SCI
Willing to participate in frequent study evaluations for at least 13 months
Between the ages of 22 and 65
Determinants of Bowel-Related Quality of Life
The main goal of this study is to find out how bowel function after SCI impacts a person’s quality of life. This includes things like life satisfaction, choices related to food, relationships with family/friends, limitations on daily activities, and decisions about participation in sexual activity.
Another goal is to learn whether there are factors that can be changed to improve a person’s bowel function. These would be considered modifiable factors.
A final goal is to better understand how bowel function and bladder function are related to each other after SCI.
Individuals may participate if they are enrolled in the National Spinal Cord Injury Database.
Meeting the Spinal Cord Injury Physical Activity Guidelines
This study wants to determine whether meeting the physical activity guidelines for cardiometabolic health is associated with positive health-related outcomes. This study also wants to determine whether meeting the physical activity guidelines for cardiometabolic health is associated with positive psychosocial outcomes and with greater social and occupational integration. Individuals may participate if they are enrolled in the National Spinal Cord Injury Database.
Actively Recruiting Studies (Inpatient)
Feasibility of Early Gabapentin as an Intervention for Neuroprotection
Emerging preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that early initiation of low to medium doses of gabapentin has a persistent, positive effect on motor and autonomic neurologic recovery.
The objective of this study is to conduct the first ever prospective, dose-exploration trial to test the feasibility of early administration of gabapentin as an intervention for neurorecovery.
Participants are enrolled only at MetroHealth within 5 days of spinal cord injury.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Database
During each funded cycle, we enroll participants into the National SCI Database. As part of this nationwide study, we collect clinical outcomes, social and psychological outcomes, and quality of life data on all new traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) at the time of admission to inpatient rehabilitation through the person’s lifetime.
Through this long-term population health study, critical knowledge has been gained about SCI epidemiology, recovery characteristics, secondary conditions during and after rehabilitation, and the medical and psychosocial impact of living with SCI long-term.
Validation of MENTOR tool to describe bowel dysfunction early after SCI and facilitate management across the 1st year post-injury
It has been known for more than two decades that people living with SCI rate bowel control as one of the most difficult issues to manage and one of the biggest daily challenges, yet little progress has been made. There are many options for bowel care, but there has not been a clear definition of treatment failure or guidance regarding when to change strategies. These shortcomings contribute to persons with SCI living through prolonged periods of poor bowel management. The objective of this study is to 1) validate the MENTOR (Monitoring Efficacy of Neurogenic bowel dysfunction Treatment On Response) tool in an acute/subacute population with traumatic SCI in the US inpatient rehabilitation setting and 2) use the MENTOR tool from discharge through the first-year post-injury to describe the progression of bowel dysfunction and determine if the tool prompts changes in bowel management when indicated.
Participants are enrolled when they are inpatients at the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute.