Research News

Dear Veterans,

The purpose of this column is to inform you about ongoing research in our community, towards improving your quality of life as a person living with a spinal cord injury or disease. Each month we will share several ongoing studies and state whether they are looking for Veterans and others with SCI/D to participate by the words “ACTIVELY RECRUITING” . Not all studies showcased in this column will be in the recruitment phase. If you are interested in helping scientists, please call the contact number associated with that study. You will be compensated if you participate.

Title: Biomarkers for Pressure Injury Risk

ACTIVELY RECRUITING The aim of this study is to enable early identification of individuals predisposed to pressure injury. Any Veteran with a SCI/D can call to learn if they can participate

Contact information: Christine Olney 612-467-3001 or Christine.Olney@va.gov

Title: A Clinical Trial of Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation for Sensory and Motor Recovery in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury [A PVA funded study]

ACTIVELY RECRUITING The aim of this study is to evaluate two different interventions to improve sensation and movement in adults with spinal cord injury. Any Veteran with a SCI/D who is at least 3 months out (no end date limit) from a spinal cord injury, can self-transfer and some reduction of sensation and/or movement after their spinal cord injury.

Interventions: Either you will receive physical therapy, called "cognitive multisensory rehabilitation" (focusing on restoring body awareness during movements) or you will receive a membership for the adaptive fitness at Courage Kenny (Golden Valley) to train there with the adapted fitness equipment

Testing: MRI of the brain (before and after the interventions); test of sensation and movements + questionnaires (before and after the interventions + 3 months after the intervention.

Contact information: Dr. Ann Van de Winckel: avandewi@umn.edu or 612-4062500

Title: Assistive Technology Use Among Individuals with Tetraplegia

ACTIVELY RECRUITING The University of Minnesota, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine is conducting a research study to learn from people living with tetraplegia/quadriplegia about their use of assistive technology (AT). Participation will take approximately 25 minutes to complete a one-time online survey about AT use, community participation, mood, and daily living.

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: You may be eligible to for this study if: (1) you are between 18 and 80 years of age; (2) you are living with tetraplegia (C7 or higher) and have limited hand function; (3) you are greater than 6 months post spinal cord injury; and (4) you are fluent in English.

Contact Info: Angie Philippus (phili272@umn.edu)

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known"

- Carl Sagan

North Star Bullet wants to highlight the unique road that led you to today! If you are willing to share your military stories or the mountains you have climbed due to being "differently-abled, " we'd like to highlight it. Maybe you have a favorite chapter story to tell the newer members who may not have heard it.

By telling our stories, we keep history alive. However large or small, struggles and accomplishments serve as inspiration for many others. We invite you, our members, to be a part of our publication by sharing today.

So many experiences shape us into the people we become and wait patiently to be heard. Share your best memories with our chapter members, and who knows, you may find a new connection with another.

Call our office at 612-467-2263 to help us keep the past alive!

Attention Photo Bugs!

We love photos! The North Star Bullet editors are happy to take membersubmitted images for our newsletter, with a chance to be on the cover! To be considered, photographs must have been taken by you, wholly owned by you, and be family-friendly. Some ideas for photos include nature, military, events, vacations, and historical pictures. Please send your submissions to office@mnpva.org or by snail mail to our office. Please DO NOT send original, one-of-a-kind photos - we cannot be responsible for their return to you.

"Photography is an austere and blazing poetry of the real"

- Ansel Adams