Welcome to the Assistive Devices Studies Page

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU


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 Range
AGE:   22 - 70

Duration DURATION:  25 months
VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Presbyterian Hospital – Oakland


MyPaTH Story Booth 2.0

Researchers want to know about patients’ experiences with health, illness, or research. By sharing your story, you would be helping researchers focus on topics that are of importance to you and that are likely to improve health and health care. Share your story by phone or in person at the Falk Medical Building lobby. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  45 minutes
VISITS:  1 visit or phone call
Location LOCATION:  Falk Medical Building - Oakland or by phone


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 Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 4 hours
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION:  Forbes Tower – Oakland or ICAN Talk Clinic – Carnegie, PA


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 Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 2 years
VISITS:  Monthly visits to your home
Location LOCATION:  ICAN Talk Clinic – Carnegie, PA & your home


Smartphone Self-Care for Chronic Conditions

Do you have spina bifida, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or cerebral palsy? Researchers at Pitt are looking for adults with these chronic conditions to give feedback on new smartphone apps designed to make self-care more manageable. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Varies
Location LOCATION:  Multiple clinic locations in East End, or at home


WiSAT (Wheelchair in-Seat Activity Tracker) Study

Do you use a wheelchair and have you had a pressure ulcer on your buttocks in the past 3 years? 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 Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  5 months
VISITS:  2 visits
Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology - Bakery Square


Ultrasound Imaging Study for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Do you have a spinal cord injury and do you use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility? Have you had a pressure sore on your buttocks? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a 1-visit research study to help better understand how bone shape affects the development of pressure sores. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  2-3 hours
VISITS:  1 visit
Location LOCATION:  Bakery Square, East End


Remote Wheelchair Maintenance Training Program

Do you have a traumatic spinal injury and use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility (over 40 hours a week)? If so, you may be interested in a study to help researchers assess the effectiveness of using an online training program to teach wheelchair users how to improve maintenance techniques. You will be able to choose between 3 levels of participation. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Varies
VISITS:  Varies
Location LOCATION:  Online


Wheelchair Maintenance App

Do you have a non-progressive spinal cord injury that occurred over 1 year ago, and do you use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to track wheelchair use, breakdowns and repairs through an app. Eligible participants must have a smartphone or tablet with internet access. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 5 years
Location LOCATION:  Online


Assessment of an Experimental Robotic-Assisted Transfer Device – Phase 2: Power Wheelchair Users

Do you use a mobility device at least 3 days/week? Do you weigh 180 lbs. or less and fit in an 18-in. wide and 16-in. deep seat? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help researchers evaluate how effective and usable a robotic transfer assist device (HERL-RATD) is compared to a commercially available manual hydraulic (Hoyer) lift. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration VISITS:  1 in-person visit lasting about 4 hours
Location LOCATION:  Human Engineering Research Laboratories at Bakery Square - Pittsburgh


Manual Wheelchair Virtual Coach – People with Spinal Cord Injury

Do you have a spinal cord injury, use an ultralight manual wheelchair at least 30 hours per week, and have had no recent pressure ulcers? Do you use an Android smartphone? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help evaluate a device that helps people with spinal cord injuries manage pressure reliefs and reduce the risk of pressure injuries. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 85

Duration DURATION:  12 weeks
VISITS:  2-3 visits
Location LOCATION:  Human Engineering Research Laboratories at Bakery Square - Pittsburgh


Xtampza ER Study for Adults Who Have Difficulty Swallowing Pills

Do you take a prescribed opioid medication for chronic pain and are age 21-70? Do you have trouble swallowing pills? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to find out if a pain medication called Xtampza ER is easier to swallow. Participants must be current patients of a UPMC Pain Medicine Clinic, or be willing to schedule an appointment with this clinic. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   21 - 70

Duration DURATION:  6 weeks
VISITS:  4 visits
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Pain Medicine Clinic - Centre Commons 5750 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206


Manual Wheelchair Virtual Coach: User Study

Do you have a spinal cord injury and use an ultra-light manual wheelchair at least 40 hours per week? Do you use an Android smartphone? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help evaluate a new smartphone-based program designed to help manual wheelchair users manage pressure relief. Involves 2 in-person visits. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  About 5 hours total
VISITS:  2 visits
Location LOCATION:  Human Engineering Research Laboratories at Bakery Square - Pittsburgh


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 Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh


PITT Amputee Study

Do you have a leg amputation? Do you use a prosthesis with a liner, and can you walk comfortably for at least 5 minutes with it? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to find out if temperature control liners work better than standard liners. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  About 12 months
VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at Bakery Square


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 Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration VISITS:  one initial visit
Location LOCATION:  Convenient locations near you including Altoona, Monroeville, North Hills, Oakland, Philadelphia, Shadyside, the South Hills and more!


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.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration VISITS:  None Required
Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh


Accessibility Barriers Survey – Wheelchair Users

Do you use a wheelchair or scooter as your primary means of mobility? Can you transfer to and from your mobility device by yourself? If so, you can participate in a research study that involves taking an online survey. Researchers want to know how different areas of the community help or hinder the needs of wheeled mobility device users.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  30 minutes or less
Location LOCATION:  Online



RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:
  Physical Disability

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