MSKTC Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems

Webcast for individuals living with spinal cord injury, their caregivers, and & healthcare professionals

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC Administrator) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:23:00 +0000

Webcast

For individuals living with spinal cord injury,

their caregivers, & healthcare professionals

Join us for a Free Webcast and live chat

A Continuum of Strategies Targeted at Neuroplasticity

for Recovery after Neurologic Injury

Epidural Stimulation and Locomotor Training:

A Summary of the Research

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

6:30-8:00 PM Eastern Time

6:15 PM Check-in

Presenter:

Susan Harkema PhD

Dr. Susan J. Harkema PhD, holds the Owsley B. Frazier Rehabilitation Chair in Neurological Surgery and is the Rehabilitation Research Director of the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at the University of Louisville. She is the Director of Research at Frazier Rehab Institute and Director of the NeuroRecovery Network that provides standardized activity-based therapies for individuals with spinal cord injury at seven national rehabilitation centers in the

United States

. Her research focuses on neural plasticity of spinal networks and recovery of function after spinal cord injury.

Dr. Harkema has published numerous scholarly articles on her research and has received several honors and awards throughout her career. In 2007, the National Spinal Cord Injury Association nominated her into the SCI Hall of Fame for Achievement in Research in Quality of Life, and most recently, Dr. Harkema was a co-recipient of the Reeve-Irvine Research Medal in 2009, awarded to individuals who have made critical contributions to promoting repair of the damaged spinal cord and recovery of function. In 2011, she received the Rick Hansen Foundation Difference Maker Award and Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award.

Dr. Harkema earned her Bachelor of Science and PhD from Michigan State University and conducted her postdoctoral fellowship in neurophysiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

About the Webcast:

Dr. Harkema’s work on the recovery of function after spinal cord injuries through activity based therapy has found that this intensive rehabilitation can result in improvements in individuals with SCI even years after injury. During this lecture she will report on the most recent findings from research conducted through the Christopher and Dana Reeve NeuroRecovery Network of seven rehabilitation centers that provide standardized Locomotor Training to individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury.

Dr. Harkema will also discuss another recent research study she conducted where epidural stimulation was used with an individual with a SCI. After months of therapy, the individual was able to voluntarily move his legs with the use of the epidural stimulation.

During this lecture, Dr. Harkema will discuss both research studies in depth, including the methods, results and plan for continued research.

To register: Click here

or logon to http://development.bmc.org/NERSCICwebcast

For more information:

call 617-638-7314

or email Judi.Zazula@bmc.org

Save the Dates!

Upcoming Lecture Series Webcast

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
2012 Annual Consumer Research ConferenceSaturday, October 20, 2012

The New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center

is now on Facebook!
Like us at www.facebook.com/nerscic
The Stepping Forward- Staying Informed Consumer Education Program

is partially supported by the following organizations:

The University of Washington seeks participants for two research studies on spinal cord injury rehabilitation

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC Administrator) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:48:00 +0000

The University of Washington’s Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System, a spinal cord injury (SCI) Model System, is engaging participants for two research studies on recovery from SCI.

The goal of the first study, Effectiveness of Physical Activity for Improving Mood in People Aging with MS or SCI, is to clarify what effects exercise may have on improving mood in individuals with multiple sclerosis or SCI. Participants will be reimbursed for phone expenses and will also receive up to $120 in compensation. Please contact 206-221-5641 or 866-928-2114 if you are interested in participating.

The second study, Project to Improve Symptoms and Mood after Spinal Cord Injury (PRISMS), seeks to determine if a 12-week regimen of venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR) is effective in treating symptoms of pain, poor sleep, low energy, low interest in everyday activities, and depressed mood in individuals with SCI. Please contact 206-897-4731 if you are interested in participating.

Please click here for additional information about these two studies.

To learn more about Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, please visit our homepage.

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics will host the State of the Science Conference on April 23, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC Administrator) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:16:00 +0000

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (StatsRRTC) will host the State of the Science Conference on April 23, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (One Bethesda Metro Center, 7400 Wisconsin Avenue) in Bethesda, MD. This conference will appeal to all disability researchers, disability program staff, policy leaders, and community advocates. Conference participants will learn more about both the current state of disability statistics and the future advancement of the field.

The keynote address will be given by Dr. Charles Lakin, Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

Please see the conference website and brochure for additional information.

For additional questions, please email disability.statistics@unh.edu or call 1-866-538-9521, extension 711.

The Center on Knowledge Translation for Employment Research will host a webcast discussing recent disability statistics on Wednesday, January 25, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC Administrator) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:15:00 +0000

The Community of Practice on Employment Research of the Center on Knowledge Translation for Employment Research (KTER Center) will host a webcast titled What Counts? Latest Disability Statistics from Federal Surveys and Resources from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (EST) on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. This webcast will appeal to all researchers, particularly those interested in employment-related disability research.

The 90-minute webcast will be hosted by Dr. Andrew Houtenville, Research Director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Houtenville will discuss the November 2011 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium published by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics.

Click here for registration and here to test your computer prior to the webcast.

If you cannot attend this webcast, please visit this page for the post-webcast archive.

Join the New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center for a free webcast discussing employment after spinal cord injury

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC Administrator) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:36:00 +0000

The New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center will hold a free webcast and live chat titled “Employment after Spinal Cord Injury” on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm EST (check-in at 6:15 pm). The webcast will be led by Mary McCauley, Area Director of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and will appeal to survivors of spinal cord injury (SCI), caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

The discussion will focus on the vocational opportunities to survivors of TBI. Ms. McCauley will also highlight the many resources available to support survivors of TBI in fulfilling their employment goals.

Click here to register.

For more information, email judi.zazula@bmc.org or call 617-638-7314.

White House Hosts Monthly Call to Discuss Disability Issues

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC Administrator) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Each month, members of the White House Domestic Policy Council and Office of Public Engagement who work on disability issues host a public, live-captioned conference call to keep citizens better informed of important disability issues and to connect them to the leaders who work on disability policies in the federal government.

Following is information for the January call:

Date of Call: Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Start Time: 2:00 p.m. EST (dial in 5 minutes early). This call will probably last 1.5 hours.

Dial in: (800) 762-4758

Code: “White House Disability Call”

Note: This call is off the record and not for press purposes.

Email disability@who.eop.gov with your name, organization, city and state to be added to the White House Disability Group email distribution list.

Click here to learn more about the White House monthly disability calls.

Visit http://www.disability.gov/ for information on federal disability programs and services.

Report of Recommendations from the State of the Science Meeting on Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Research at the White House

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC Administrator) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:07:00 +0000

In November 2011, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and the Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) sponsored a meeting at the White House to report on the recommendations from the State of the Science meeting on Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Research held in June 2011. Participants of the meeting discussed a broad range of biopsychosocial issues in SCI rehabilitation along with research recommendations including: a) Neurologic and Functional Recovery; b) Assistive Technology for Mobility and Function; c) Aging and Secondary Conditions; and d) Psychosocial, Vocational and Quality of Life Outcomes.

2011 Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures published by NSCISC

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:05:00 +0000

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) publishes Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance every year to summarize trends in SCI Model Systems demographics and injury statistics. Data come from the National SCI Database, which was started in 1973 and currently contains longitudinal information on over 27,000 people with traumatic spinal cord injuries. Notable trends from the 2011 report are that the average age at injury and average life expectancy after injury have been increasing, while average length of rehab hospital stay has continued to decline over the years.

To view the 2011 Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance, visit: https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/public_content/pdf/Facts%202011%20Feb%20Final.pdf

How to Live with Spinal Cord Injury and Osteoporosis

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:16:00 +0000

A free webcast and live chat presented by the New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center.

Monday, September 26, 2011

6:30-8:00 PM Eastern Time

6:15 PM Check-in

Many individuals with SCI have a change in their bone mass in the first year following SCI, and that risk increases over time. Research has shown that management of bone health should begin early following SCI because individuals with SCI are at a higher risk for fractures due to this decline in bone density. Andrei Krassioukov MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia and Co-Director and Scientist with ICORD, will discuss the physiology and architecture of bone and the changes that take place in bone mass following SCI. He will also present the common methods for evaluation of osteoporosis following SCI and discuss the difficulties individuals with SCI face in managing osteoporosis.

To register: http://development.bmc.org/NERSCICwebcast

Developing neuroprosthetic treatments for spinal cord injury – New video from the Northwest Regional SCI System

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:36:00 +0000

The Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle has posted a video of the presentation “Developing neuroprosthetic treatments for spinal cord injury” by Chet Moritz, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physiology & Biophysics. Dr. Moritz conducts research in brain-computer interfaces and neuroprosthetic technology. The goal of his research is to develop systems that can bypass damaged areas of the spinal cord and restore voluntary control of movement to paralyzed muscles. In this presentation, Dr. Moritz summarizes the state of the art in this field and describes his study using brain activity to control Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to stimulate the muscles of a paralyzed wrist. He also discusses his work using intraspinal stimulation to generate movements of the hand and arm. Watch the video here: http://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/reports/research_moritz.asp.

SCI Model Systems researchers receive ACRM Awards

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:54:00 +0000

The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Awards Committee announced the following awardees for 2011:

Edward Lowman Award
Gale Whiteneck, PhD, FACRM - The Rocky Mountain Regional Spinal Injury System
This award was established in 1989 in honor of Edward Lowman, MD who recognized the importance of multidisciplinary teams in rehabilitation. Dr. Whiteneck is recognized as someone whose career reflects an energetic promotion of the spirit of interdisciplinary rehabilitation.

Deborah L. Wilkerson Early Career Award in Rehabilitation Research
Deborah Backus, PhD - Southeastern Regional SCI Model System
ACRM established this award to honor Deborah L. Wilkerson, a beloved member, former President (2003), and ACRM Fellow (2005). Deborah had many interests but was particularly devoted to improving the quality of rehabilitation and independent living services for people who needed them. She had a commitment to person-centered services and was an advocate for individuals with disabilities. Dr. Backus has been selected as the 2011 awardee and will present a paper during the ACRM-ASNR Joint Education Conference. Dr. Backus is recognized as someone who is within 10 years of completion of training and has made significant contributions to rehabilitation research in their early career.

These awards will be presented Friday evening, October 14th at the Henry B. Betts Awards Gala during the ACRM-ASNR Educational Conference in Atlanta.

Setting the stage for experimental SCI treatments

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:05:00 +0000

How do we know if a new treatment really improves recovery? In the world of SCI recovery research, one of the challenges of conducting clinical trials is being able to tell whether any improvement in function was caused by the experimental treatment, or if the patient would have improved anyway, since most people with SCI have some natural recovery in the first year after injury.

The researchers looked at the changes in motor function that naturally occurred during the first year after injury in 1,436 individuals with tetraplegia (quadriplegia). They found that people with initially complete injuries converted to incomplete injuries at a somewhat higher rate (30%) than was previously thought, including 7.1% converting to ASIA Impairment Scale grade D. They identified neurological measures that would be appropriate outcome measures for future clinical trials. (Marino RJ, Burns S, Graves DE, et al. Upper- and lower-extremity motor recovery after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury: an update from the national spinal cord injury database. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 Mar;92(3):369-75.)

SCI Model Systems Research: Patients get little help for depression after spinal cord injury.

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Fri, 27 May 2011 23:27:00 +0000

Depression is a harmful and sometimes deadly condition that affects about one in five people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Researchers at four sites in the SCI Model System (Seattle, Chicago, Ann Arbor and Birmingham, AL) found that only 29% of depressed patients were taking antidepressants and 11% had received counseling within the past three months. Far fewer had received an adequate dose of either antidepressants or counseling. The authors identified several factors that may contribute to under-treatment of depression, including poor access to medical care, embarrassment about admitting to or talking about being depressed, and limited depression screening. The study highlights the need to understand and overcome barriers to the identification and treatment of depression in this population. (Fann JR, Bombardier CH, Richards JS, et al. Depression After Spinal Cord Injury: Comorbidities, Mental Health Service Use, and Adequacy of Treatment. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2011;92(3):352-360.)

New Consumer Information on Employment after Spinal Cord Injury

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Fri, 27 May 2011 23:24:00 +0000

A new evidence-based consumer factsheet on Employment after Spinal Cord Injury is now available on the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) website at http://msktc.washington.edu/sci/factsheets/employment.asp. This document was developed by Kurt Johnson, PhD and Jim Krause, PhD in collaboration with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. It has been reviewed by SCI consumers and endorsed by the SCI Model System directors.

Consumer Information on Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:25:00 +0000

A new evidence-based consumer factsheet on Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury is now available on the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) website at http://msktc.washington.edu/sci/factsheets/spasticity.asp. This document was developed by Rina Reyes, MD and Anthony Chiodo, MD in collaboration with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center and has been reviewed by SCI consumers and endorsed by the SCI Model System directors.

SCI Consumer Information on Safe Transfer Technique

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:14:00 +0000

A new factsheet on Safe Transfer Technique for people with spinal cord injury is now available on the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) website at http://msktc.washington.edu/sci/factsheets/transfers.asp. This factsheet was developed by Michael L. Boninger, MD, in collaboration with the MSKTC. It is based on research evidence whenever available and represents the consensus of expert opinion of the SCI Model System directors.

Free Webcast: The Skin You’re In: An Overview of Maintaining Skin Integrity for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:42:00 +0000

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
6:30-8:00 PM Eastern Time
6:15 PM Check-in

Presented by the New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center.

Register at: http://development.bmc.org/nerscicwebcast

Presenter:

Lauren Harney, RN, BSN, CWON

Boston Medical Center

About the Webcast:

Good skin integrity is paramount in maintaining your health and quality of life. Individuals with spinal cord injury face unique and challenging issues in maintaining skin integrity that require comprehensive intervention on a daily basis. This webcast will present issues from basic skin care, such as hygiene and choosing the right clothing, to the stressors that can contribute to poor skin integrity, such as poor nutrition, pressure distribution, and psychological factors. This webcast will also address the costs to prevent and treat pressure ulcers as well as the complications that may arise from a pressure ulcer.

Lauren Harney, RN, BSN, CWON, currently works at Boston Medical Center as a wound/ostomy nurse. She has held Board Certification as a wound/ostomy nurse for 12 years and has extensive experience in skin care for acute and chronically ill individuals. She has worked in various settings ranging from urban community care to Level 1 trauma hospitals. Ms. Harney helps to establish guidelines and wound care formularies in various health care settings, and serves as a consultant advising physicians and rehabilitation staff in developing best practices for wound/ostomy care.

Information for spinal cord injury consumers on getting the right wheelchair.

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:50:00 +0000

The SCI Model Systems recently posted three new evidence-based factsheets: Getting the Right Wheelchair: What the SCI Consumer Needs to Know; The Manual Wheelchair; and The Power Wheelchair. These factsheets are written for people with SCI, caregivers, and family member who want to learn more about how to get the best wheelchair to fit your needs. You can access PDFs and web-based versions of the Wheelchair Series here: http://msktc.washington.edu/sci/factsheets/wheelchairs/

Spanish versions of SCI consumer factsheets on Skin Care and Pressure Sores

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:00:00 +0000

The MSKTC Consumer Information Factsheets on Skin Care and Pressure Sores are now available in Spanish at:

http://msktc.washington.edu/sci/factsheets/Spanish.asp

MSKTC Consumer Factsheets are based on research evidence and/or professional consensus and have been reviewed and approved by an editorial team of experts from the SCI Model Systems.

Toward a Model System of Post-rehabilitative Health Care for Individuals with SCI

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:57:00 +0000

The report of the Special Interest Group (SIG) on SCI Model System Innovation (2010): Toward a Model System of Post-rehabilitative Health Care for Individuals with SCI—Extending the SCI Model Systems Concept to Health Care in the Community is available at: http://msktc.washington.edu/sci/sci_sigs/SCIModelSystemInnovationReport.pdf

In this report, 15 leaders from the Spinal Cord Injury model centers around the nation tackle one of the major unaddressed issues in SCI care: meeting the ongoing health care needs of individuals with SCI once they leave the protective cover of the rehabilitation center. The report brings together more than 25 years of literature and countless years of collective experience of professionals on the front lines of SCI care. The four recommendations set forth by the authors will be of interest to researchers, clinicians, policy-makers and consumers and are especially timely now as we enter a potentially transformative period in American health care.

Free Webcast: The Affordable Care Act and People with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:24:00 +0000

A free webcast and live chat for individuals living with spinal cord injury, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals, presented by the New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center as part of the Stepping Forward- Staying Informed Consumer Education Program.

Monday, March 14, 2011

6:30-8:00 PM Eastern Time; 6:15 check-in

Presenter Patrick M. Tigue from Community Catalyst will provide attendees with a review of the basic structure of the national health reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about policy implications of several provisions of the ACA that are particularly relevant to people with disabilities. Finally, attendees will learn about how the current political landscape will likely affect implementation of the ACA’s provisions going forward.

To register for the webcast, go to http://development.bmc.org/nerscicwebcast

New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center website: http://www.bmc.org/spinalcordinjurycenter.htm

January 12 Webcast RESCHEDULED

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:25:00 +0000

The Stepping Forward Staying Informed Evening Lecture Series scheduled for this Wednesday January 12^th has been rescheduled due to the forecasted snow storm in the northeast.

“The Affordable Care Act and People with Disabilities: Policy and Politics” lecture will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011.

(Please note, the March lecture will be held on a Monday instead of a Wednesday.) We’ll be in touch as the rescheduled lecture approaches. We hope you can join us in March.

Thanks, and stay safe!

New England Regional SCI Center

at Boston Medical Center

tel: 617-638-7314

Free Webcast: The Affordable Care Act and People with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 01:01:00 +0000

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

6:30-8:00 PM Eastern Time; 6:15 check-in

To register for the webcast, go to http://development.bmc.org/nerscicwebcast

New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center website: http://www.bmc.org/spinalcordinjurycenter.htm

The State of the Science in SCI Rehabilitation

noreply@blogger.com (MSKTC) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:06:00 +0000

Preconference to The 2011 International Conference on

Spinal Cord Medicine and Rehabilitation
June 4-8, 2011, Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel, Washington, D.C., USA, Presented by
The International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) celebrating its 50th Anniversary, and
The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)

Purpose: Develop an agenda for spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation research in the next decade by identifying research questions that must be answered to implement improved programs, practices, and policies for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Strategy: Examine cutting edge innovations and research findings; and identify the additional research that must be conducted to develop the potential of the findings; and facilitate using the findings to assist individuals with spinal cord injury in achieving their goals.

Target Audience: Researchers, funders, policymakers, clinicians, consumers and their families.

Conference Website: http://www.asia-iscos2011.org/STATE_OF_SCIENCE.PHP

Conference Brochure: http://msktc.washington.edu/sci/scinews/SCI_SoS_Conference_Flyer.pdf