Finding new treatments for people with disabilities
Thank you for your interest in stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury
medical research at the Casa Colina Research Institute (CCRI). Casa Colina
patients and other community members who meet certain criteria may apply
to participate in our studies. The purpose of each study is to gain a
better understanding of new technologies and treatment methodologies,
with the goal of improving medical and rehabilitation outcomes. Below
are the current studies being conducted at CCRI.
Multimodal Investigation of Post-Covid-19 in Females
This study investigates the effectiveness of transcutaneous vagus nerve
stimulation (t-VNS) on Long Covid-19 symptoms in females, identifying
factors influencing susceptibility and recovery, particularly in the cognitive domain.
To be eligible, you must:
Be of the female biological sex
Have had Covid-19 at least 3+ months ago and be currently experiencing
“brain fog”/cognitive impairment not explained by other medical
conditions
Participants will receive:
$100 stipend upon study completion and free MRI reports
This program provides online social and leisure opportunities for participants
with SCI. Participants will utilize “Connection Coaches,”
assistive technology, and more through virtual classes.
To be eligible, you must have:
Once enrolled, you must:
Have a spinal cord injury
Complete at least one virtual class (1 hour)
Complete a pre- and post-testing over the phone
Biomarkers of Thalamic LIFUP in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness
This study investigates the effectiveness of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Pulsation (LIFUP) therapy on improving consciousness recovery after severe
brain injury.
To be eligible, you must have:
Diagnosis of vegetative or minimally conscious state based on an expert
assessment
+3 months post-injury for non-traumatic etiologies; +12 months for traumatic
etiologies
No history of neurological disorder (other than brain injury); no dependence
on ventilator
Fast Training to Promote Recovery of Arm Movement Post-stroke
This study evaluates the effectiveness of many fast repetitions of specific
arm movements to improve the speed, smoothness, and accuracy of motor
movement for individuals who experience post-stroke hemiplegia (weakness
on one side of the body).
To be eligible, you must:
Have some ability to move arms and follow simple instructions
Be 6 months or more from date of ischemic (blockage) stroke
Participants will receive:
Free physical therapy and copy of MRI report
In Search of Biomarkers for the Recovery of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
This study seeks to better understand recovery from after traumatic brain
injury by analyzing the biomarkers present after injury in order to provide
more personalized treatment plans for these patients.
To be eligible, you must:
Have or have had moderate to severe brain injury
Have intact use of dominant hand and do not have receptive or expressive
language impairments (aphasia)
Participants will receive:
Copies of MRI reports and $50 every six months ($200 total)
Are You Tetraplegic? Are You Interested in Controlling a Computer Using Thought?
This study seeks individuals with paralysis to control a computer using
thought alone. Subjects with tetraplegia will learn to control the computer
interface with the aid of the study team.
To be eligible, you must:
Live within one hour of Casa Colina and be able to attend 3-5 times a week
for at least a year (transportation available at no cost)
Have electrodes implanted surgically and then removed after one year
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