Welcome to the Assistive Devices Studies Page

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

Sensorimotor Imaging for Brain-Computer Interfaces – Individuals with ALS

Have you been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? Has this caused a decrease or absent feeling in your hands/fingers? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study using fMRI to map arm and hand-related brain activity in the part of the brain that generates movement signals and feels touch. This study involves 1-2 visits. Compensation and parking provided.

AGE:

18 and up

DURATION: 4 hours
VISITS: 1-2

LOCATION:

UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION:

$150 & validated parking

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: 4 hours

VISITS: 1-2

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: $150 & validated parking

All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program

You may be able to change the future of medicine. The All of Us PA Research Program is enrolling adults 18 years of age or older. This may be your chance to improve how your children and your children’s children receive medical care.

AGE:

18 and up

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION:

Convenient locations near you including Altoona, Monroeville, North Hills, Oakland, Philadelphia, Shadyside, the South Hills and more!

COMPENSATION:

$25.00 gift card

AGE: 18 and up

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION: Convenient locations near you including Altoona, Monroeville, North Hills, Oakland, Philadelphia, Shadyside, the South Hills and more!

COMPENSATION: $25.00 gift card

Strategies to Promote Resiliency (SPRY) Study

Are you planning to have elective surgery at UPMC? Are you 60 years of age or older and do not have diabetes? You may be able to participate in a research study to find out if the drug metformin results in fewer complications and better outcomes after surgery. Compensation is provided.

AGE:

60 and up

DURATION: Up to 9 months

LOCATION:

All UPMC Hospital Locations

COMPENSATION:

Up to $200

AGE: 60 and up

DURATION: Up to 9 months

LOCATION: All UPMC Hospital Locations

COMPENSATION: Up to $200

Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) Registry

Do you use an assistive device like a wheelchair, scooter, prosthesis (artificial limb), or cane? Are you interested in learning about research related to assistive technology? If so, you may be able to join the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) Registry. Participants will be informed of current and future research studies, but are not obligated to participate in a research study.

AGE:

18 and up

LOCATION:

University of Pittsburgh

COMPENSATION:

NONE

AGE: 18 and up

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh

COMPENSATION: NONE

Wheelchair Reliability Research Study

Do you use an ultra-light weight manual wheelchair with a rigid frame that is less than 5 years old? You may be able to participate in a study that aims to track your wheelchair usage to determine when maintenance is due. Participants will come in for 2 visits over 6 months to complete questionnaires and will have sensors placed on their wheelchair for one week. Compensation is provided.

AGE:

18 and up

DURATION: 6 months
VISITS: 2

LOCATION:

Bakery Square – East Liberty or home visit if the participant cannot travel due to COVID

COMPENSATION:

Up to $150

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: 6 months

VISITS: 2

LOCATION: Bakery Square – East Liberty or home visit if the participant cannot travel due to COVID

COMPENSATION: Up to $150

MyPaTH Story Booth – COVID-19 Stories

Participants are invited to share how they are maintaining their health during the coronavirus pandemic, or to share what it is like being ill with COVID-19 and/or caring for a loved one who is ill with COVID-19. Participation in this research study involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED

AGE:

18 and up

DURATION: About 45 minutes
VISITS: No in-person visits

LOCATION:

By phone

COMPENSATION:

NONE

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: About 45 minutes

VISITS: No in-person visits

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: NONE

MyPaTH Story Booth 2.0

Interested in sharing your story about health, illness, or research? Patients and caregivers are needed to participate in a research study to help learn more about topics that are important to you and that may improve health and health care. Participation involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED

AGE:

18 and up

DURATION: 45 minutes
VISITS: 1 visit or phone call

LOCATION:

By phone

COMPENSATION:

NONE

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 visit or phone call

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: NONE

SCS-90 Study

Do you have a leg amputation above the ankle and below the knee? Did your amputation occur more than 6 months ago? You may be able to participate in a research study to help develop a neuroprosthetic device that stimulates nerves with the goal of producing sensations that feel like they come from the amputated limb. Eligible participants are 22-70 years old. Compensation is provided.

AGE:

22-70

DURATION: Up to 9 months
VISITS: Up to 50

LOCATION:

University of Pittsburgh - Oakland

COMPENSATION:

up to $3,300

AGE: 22-70

DURATION: Up to 9 months

VISITS: Up to 50

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh - Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $3,300

Movement Disorders Research Registry

Do you have a movement disorder? If so, you may be able to participate in the Movement Disorders Registry. This registry is a list of individuals who are interested in being contacted about future research studies.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED

AGE:

18 and up

VISITS: None Required

LOCATION:

By email or phone

COMPENSATION:

NONE

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED

AGE: 18 and up

VISITS: None Required

LOCATION: By email or phone

COMPENSATION: NONE

A Sensorimotor Microelectrode Brain-Machine Interface

Do you have limited or no ability to use both hands due to a cervical spinal cord injury, or a brainstem or spinal stroke? Are you age 22-70? This study involves the implantation of multiple sensors in the brain for approximately 1 year. Once the sensors are placed, participants will undergo training to learn to use brain activity to control computer cursors, video games, and a robotic arm.

AGE:

22 - 70

DURATION: 25 months
VISITS: Multiple

LOCATION:

UPMC Presbyterian Hospital – Oakland

COMPENSATION:

Up to $14,810 & travel costs

AGE: 22 - 70

DURATION: 25 months

VISITS: Multiple

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital – Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $14,810 & travel costs

Electrode Headgear Testing Study

Do you use an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device or do you have ALS? If so, you may be interested in helping researchers by testing a newly designed dry electrode headset. Involves 1 session lasting up to 4 hours that will include communication tasks, such as copying sentences and describing a picture, along with completion of an online survey. Compensation is provided.

AGE:

18 and up

DURATION: Up to 4 hours
VISITS: 1

LOCATION:

Forbes Tower – Oakland or ICAN Talk Clinic – Carnegie, PA

COMPENSATION:

$50.00

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: Up to 4 hours

VISITS: 1

LOCATION: Forbes Tower – Oakland or ICAN Talk Clinic – Carnegie, PA

COMPENSATION: $50.00

Real World Testing of AAC-BCI

Do have a have a severe disability, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or locked-in syndrome? If so, you may be interested in participating in a study that would provide an augmentative and alternative communication system with brain computer interface access that could be used in the home. Eligible participants require wheelchair assistive technology.

AGE:

18 and up

DURATION: Up to 2 years
VISITS: Monthly visits to your home

LOCATION:

ICAN Talk Clinic – Carnegie, PA & your home

COMPENSATION:

NONE

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: Up to 2 years

VISITS: Monthly visits to your home

LOCATION: ICAN Talk Clinic – Carnegie, PA & your home

COMPENSATION: NONE

WiSAT (Wheelchair in-Seat Activity Tracker) Study

Do you use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if a new tool called WiSAT (Wheelchair in-Seat Activity Tracker) can help prevent the development of pressure ulcers. Eligible participants must have a smartphone. Compensation provided.

AGE:

18 and up

DURATION: 2.5 months
VISITS: 2 visits

LOCATION:

University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology - Bakery Square

COMPENSATION:

Up to $200

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: 2.5 months

VISITS: 2 visits

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology - Bakery Square

COMPENSATION: Up to $200

Remote Wheelchair Maintenance Training Program

Do you use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility (over 40 hours a week) due to a traumatic spinal cord injury? If so, you may be interested in participating in a research study to find out if an online training program designed to teach people how to improve wheelchair maintenance techniques is effective. Compensation provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED

Online

Varies based on participation

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: Varies

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: Varies based on participation

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

Physical Disability and Rehabilitation