West Haverstraw, NY – August 27, 2009 – Helen Hayes Hospital and The Wadsworth Center in Albany are recruiting volunteers who have had spinal cord injury to participate in a study of spinal reflex training. The results of this study will help to develop a new therapeutic treatment for better functional recovery after spinal cord injury or other damage to the nervous system.
After spinal cord injury, stroke or other traumatic events to the nervous system, reflex functions often change. Because reflexes play an important part in movement and behavior, when reflexes are not working well, movements may be disturbed. Researchers have found that people can learn to increase or decrease a reflex response by means of training. Learning to change a reflex response may become an effective approach as a rehabilitation treatment.
Research participants will stand or sit in a chair while wearing a standard clinical EEG cap for monitoring brain activity. Surface electrodes will be placed on the skin over leg muscles for monitoring muscle activity and over a nerve to produce reflex responses. Nerve stimulation may cause a brief mild sensation. The procedure is completely harmless and non-invasive.
Participation in this study requires approximately three sessions per week for two to three months, followed by four to eight sessions over another two to three months. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes.
For additional information, contact Aiko Thompson at thompsona@helenhayeshosp.org or Laura Tenteromano at 845-786-4854.
