The April nTIDE report reveals a decline in employment-to-population ratio and labor force participation rate for people with disabilities. Despite this downturn, employment remains above pre-pandemic levels, with working-age individuals with disabilities making up 3.8% of the total workforce.
A pilot study found that remote aerobic walking exercise training improved cognitive processing speed in fully ambulatory persons with MS. The study, which showed high adherence rates, supports the design of a large-scale randomized controlled trial.
Researchers have adapted a nationally representative survey to reflect the employment experiences of veterans with spinal cord injury, addressing chronic high unemployment. The KFNEDS-Veteran Survey aims to learn about how employers approach hiring, accommodating, and advancing these veterans.
According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hispanics with disabilities have recovered to historic levels in the labor force, surpassing non-Hispanic black/African Americans. However, a gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white civilians remains due to social determinants of health and language barriers.
The labor force participation rate for people with disabilities increased to a record 40.2% in March 2023, surpassing the rate for those without disabilities (77.6%). This growth reflects an ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and may be driven by factors such as increased job opportunities and family needs.
A two-year grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation will support a pilot project implementing Vocational Resource Facilitation to investigate participant and stakeholder experiences. The goal is to enhance return-to-work rates and employment outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injury.
Researchers aim to assess the effectiveness of spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation and a cognitive training program in improving processing speed abilities and upper extremity function after spinal cord injury. The studies will test innovative approaches to enhance rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation found that transcutaneous spinal stimulation does not interfere with implanted intrathecal baclofen pump delivery systems. However, communication between the pump and its interrogator may be briefly affected due to electromagnetic interference.
The February 2023 nTIDE report shows people with disabilities increasing their labor force participation rate to an all-time high of 40.2%, outperforming non-disabled peers in the labor market. The employment-to-population ratio also narrowed, reflecting gains made by people with disabilities since the pandemic.
The employment of people with disabilities has seen a significant rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven primarily by increased labor force participation, particularly in teleworkable jobs. Long COVID is also believed to be contributing factor as workers newly disabled are retaining their employment.
The five-year project aims to enroll 500 working-age adults with brain or spinal cord injuries and explore the effectiveness of vocational resource facilitation services. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and other partners will provide targeted counseling and support to help individuals return to work after disabling neurotrauma.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation are conducting a double-blind randomized clinical trial to evaluate the impact of their strategy-based cognitive training program on new learning and memory in individuals with multiple sclerosis. The study aims to assess the efficacy of this protocol, which is based on the KF-STEM protocol.
Employment of people with disabilities reached new heights in 2022, exceeding pre-pandemic and pre-Great Recession levels. The average monthly employment-to-population ratio increased to 34.8%, outperforming those without disabilities, who only surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased from 36.5% in November to 37.0% in December, up 1.4%, while it remained unchanged at 74.4% for those without disabilities. This surge continues the gains of the last four months and highlights the ongoing strength of people with disabilities in the job market.
The Kessler Foundation team, led by Dr. Amanda Botticello, has received a $4.5 million federal grant to advance spinal cord injury research. The goal of the five-year project is to build a database resource to identify neighborhood factors that shape independent community living after spinal cord injury.
Researchers developed an iEMG classifier framework for detecting myopathy and neuropathy, achieving high accuracy in three muscle types and low computational time. The study showed promise for real-time implementation, aiding clinicians in making quick and accurate diagnoses.
The unemployment rate for people with disabilities has declined significantly, dropping below pre-pandemic levels. This decrease is attributed to gains in employment-to-population ratio and labor force participation rates for people with disabilities.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased from 35.5% to 36.5% in November, up 2.8%, while it decreased slightly for those without disabilities. The labor force participation rate also rose for people with disabilities, indicating more are succeeding in finding jobs.
The National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) October 2022 COVID Update reports little change in unemployment rates for people with and without disabilities. The overall jobs picture remains steady, but slight increases in furloughs are seen, particularly in the tech sector.
A survey of community-living people with spinal cord injury revealed lower-than-recommended healthcare utilization rates for primary care, dental, and optical services. Demographic, socioeconomic, and injury-related factors contributed to disparities in healthcare access.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation are enrolling participants in a national trial testing a breakthrough device for improving recovery after stroke. The EMAGINE Stroke Recovery Trial pairs therapeutic exercise with electromagnetic stimulation to enhance brain and spinal cord function.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased to historic highs in October, while those without disabilities are only reaching pre-pandemic levels. These gains may lead to long-term improvements in workplace integration of people with disabilities.
The September 2022 nTIDE COVID Update shows a slight rise in unemployment for people with disabilities, consistent with an increase in individuals entering the labor force. This trend is linked to poverty and financial hardship among people with disabilities, highlighting the need for continued support.
The survey found positive impacts on accommodation processes, remote work, flexible schedules, and job sharing for people with disabilities. Many supervisors reported increased commitment to supporting employees with disabilities.
Employment numbers remained positive for people with disabilities, increasing their employment-to-population ratio and labor force participation rate. The trend suggests an inclusive workforce, but also highlights the need to boost household income.
The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System will provide ongoing care and research, aiming to improve learning and memory impairment in TBI patients. The system's site-specific study will examine the impact of aerobic exercise training on managing new learning and memory impairment.
Robotic exoskeletons have been shown to provide intensive high-quality rehabilitation and potentially improve functional outcomes in individuals with MS. However, experts agree that wide acceptance depends on further clinical studies aimed at determining optimal selection criteria and long-term outcomes.
A Kessler Foundation study found a relationship between rate of cognitive fatigue in MS and microstructural brain changes, particularly in white matter tracts and basal ganglia. The study's findings hold promise for advancing clinical interventions for disabling fatigue.
August COVID Update data show little change in unemployment numbers for people with and without disabilities on temporary layoff or looking for work. Challenges are on the horizon due to inflation concerns, which may lead to a tightening of the labor market and rising unemployment.
Research findings suggest that aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance are strongly associated in individuals with thalamic atrophy. Aerobic exercise training may be beneficial in restoring function for those with this biomarker of neurodegeneration.
Researchers found that experiencing reward enhances connectivity between the default mode network (DMN) and the ventral striatum. This effect was specific to the DMN and correlated with personality characteristics related to openness. The study used data from the Human Connectome Project, a database of healthy participants.
Kessler Foundation scientist Jeanne Zanca has received a $100,000 award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to facilitate the uptake of effective treatments in rehabilitation settings. Her study aims to improve research reporting and adoption of the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System framework.
Researchers will investigate racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare services for autistic children in New Jersey. The study aims to understand the social determinants of these disparities and promote health equity among children on the spectrum.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society awards Kessler Foundation a five-year grant to continue the long-running MS Fellowship in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation program. The grant provides funding for postdoctoral fellows to work on rehabilitation research projects.
Dr. Nathan Hogaboom has won the prestigious Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development for his pioneering work on regenerative rehabilitation research in spinal cord injury. His award-winning study applied novel principles to treat debilitating shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.
The Kessler Foundation has received significant funding to advance research on spinal cord injury, including studies on epidural stimulation and shockwave therapy for spasticity. The funding will also support the SCI Medicine Fellowship Program, which has trained approximately 50 specialists in spinal cord injury.
A study found that increased prism adaptation treatment sessions improve spatial neglect symptoms, while more frequent sessions lead to greater rehabilitation gains. The authors recommend starting PAT early for optimal dosing.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased slightly to 34.6% in August, while the labor force participation rate rose by 0.8%. Historically, impacts on the labor market lag behind economic growth movements, suggesting anti-inflationary measures may be early impact.
July numbers showed a slight decrease in unemployment for people with disabilities and people without disabilities. The level of unemployed people with disabilities is returning to baseline pre-pandemic levels, says Dr. Andrew Houtenville, professor of economics at the University of Hampshire.
Olga Boukrina's five-year grant funds research on neurobehavioral reading intervention with potential to promote post-stroke plasticity. The study aims to develop an fMRI neurofeedback-based approach to improve reading recovery in stroke survivors.
Researchers tested a core-strengthening program using the AllCore360º to improve trunk function, balance, and mobility after stroke. The study showed promising effects on functional outcomes, including improved lateral control of posture and standardized treatment dosage.
Employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities decreased from 34.9% in June 2022 to 34.4% in July 2022. Labor force participation rate also decreased, but remains above pre-COVID levels and historic high of 2008.
A Kessler Foundation neuroimaging study found that older individuals reported less state fatigue and showed greater brain activation to combat fatigue. The study also revealed women show greater resilience when faced with a fatiguing task, highlighting age and gender differences in fatigue responses.
A research team has won the NIH's Neuromod Prize for their innovative approach to spinal stimulation, which uses autonomic neuromodulation to regulate nervous system activity. The breakthrough could lead to improved autonomy and daily functioning for people with spinal cord injuries.
The nTIDE COVID Update reveals a rise in unemployment rates for both people with and without disabilities, driven by increased labor force participation and inflation concerns. This shift may reflect people entering the workforce to increase family income amid rising living costs.
Kessler Foundation researchers will conduct studies on brain injury, knee osteoarthritis, and pediatric cerebral palsy using mixed-reality technology, robotic exoskeletons, and cycling feedback systems. The grants aim to improve safety and mobility for elderly individuals with cognitive impairments and those with neurological disorders.
A team of experts encourages further investigation into the benefits of exercise training for managing multiple sclerosis. They argue that available studies are poorly designed and lack measurable neurological damage, suggesting that rigorous trials could provide evidence for neuroprotection.
Silvana Costa's research aims to identify cognitive dysfunction in acute traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) patients with co-occurring traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study uses eye movements as a biomarker to diagnose dual diagnosis, which affects 25-60% of the tSCI population.
Employment for people with disabilities reached an all-time high in June 2022, increasing to 34.9% of the labor force, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The employment-to-population ratio and labor force participation rate also rose significantly, reflecting the need for individuals and families to pick up extra income due to inflation.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation found that virtual reality (VR) technology can strengthen the effects of traditional cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training in individuals with MS. By increasing sensory input and promoting multisensory integration, VR may increase the effectiveness of these therapies.