Researchers from Kessler Foundation found that cognitive rehabilitation programs are effective in treating multiple sclerosis-related cognitive dysfunction. Behavioral interventions such as restorative and compensatory approaches improve cognition and daily life functioning.
Researchers found that stiffness is the most problematic characteristic of spasticity after spinal cord injury, affecting daily life and function. Non-pharmacological interventions such as stretching and exercise are more effective than medications in managing symptoms.
Researchers found that one in four people with spinal cord injury relocated over a five-year period, often to high-poverty areas, increasing health risks. The study highlights the importance of considering residential mobility as a key social determinant of health for this population.
The July 2021 nTIDE report shows minor declines in employment-to-population ratios for people with disabilities, but strong labor force participation rates remain. Employment numbers for working-age individuals with and without disabilities also show slight changes, indicating a potential chilling effect from COVID-19 restrictions.
Researchers found that high-dose gait training using a robotic exoskeleton can restore functional ambulation in individuals with moderate to severe hemiplegia caused by stroke. The study showed improvements in walking distance, speed, balance, and endurance, with no complications or falls reported.
The number of unemployed people with and without disabilities has stabilized, but at levels higher than pre-pandemic levels, indicating many people have not yet returned to the labor market. Public health concerns, such as the spread of the delta variant, warrant caution and may lead to increased furloughs.
A study of 3,013 participants found that people with disabilities cite concerns about medical conditions, functional limitations, and workplace culture as major barriers to employment. The research highlights the importance of addressing negative perceptions to develop effective return-to-work or employment interventions.
A study of 533 wheelchair users found that over 50% needed repairs within the past six months, resulting in significant financial cost and personal consequences. The research aimed to identify trends regarding which users or wheelchairs are more likely to need repair and how to reduce these negative consequences.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 30.4 percent in May to 31.5 percent in June 2021, nearing pre-pandemic levels. The labor force participation rate also showed a significant increase, reaching its highest level since July 2009.
The May nTIDE COVID Update shows minimal changes in unemployment rates for people with disabilities, while those without disabilities see a small decline. The overall picture indicates slow progress toward recovery, with economists anticipating more job openings as sectors reopen.
The nTIDE May 2021 report indicates improvements in employment-to-population ratios for working-age individuals with and without disabilities. Notably, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities remained stable despite pandemic-related disruptions, showcasing their resilience and continued engagement in the workforce.
Experts identify four under-researched areas critical to advancing symptom management in progressive MS, including fatigue, mobility impairment, pain, and cognitive impairment. Rehabilitative therapies show promise for managing these symptoms and improving physical and cognitive function.
A study found that exoskeleton-assisted walking improved bowel evacuation time and stool consistency in participants with chronic spinal cord injury. The intervention plan included walking, not just standing, and resulted in notable improvements in bowel function.
A pilot study found that robotic-exoskeleton assisted exercise rehabilitation improved functional mobility, cognitive processing speed, and brain connectivity in people with significant MS-related disability. Four weeks of REAER was associated with large improvements compared to conventional gait training.
A study published in Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation found that prism adaptation treatment improves functional and cognitive independence scores for stroke survivors with spatial neglect. The treatment, which involves wearing goggles with optical prisms to shift motor movements, results in higher scores on ...
A recent qualitative study identified facilitators for rehabilitation care of individuals with spatial neglect, including the importance of family support, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous treatment. Experts also highlighted the need for therapists to engage patients and their families in therapy to improve outcomes.
The number of workers on furlough declined in March and April, marking the lowest numbers since the pandemic's impact in April 2020. This trend suggests an early sign of recovery as COVID-19 infections decrease and economic activity increases.
A pilot study found that micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) injection provides significant and long-lasting pain relief for wheelchair users with chronic shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff disease. The study showed encouraging results, with nearly 80% of participants experiencing a meaningful decrease in pain symptoms.
The nTIDE report shows increases in employment-to-population ratios and labor force participation rates for working-age individuals with and without disabilities. These modest gains indicate a trend back to pre-COVID employment levels, suggesting better employment outcomes going forward.
The Kessler Foundation is conducting a two-year study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Cervigard Neck Collar in treating neck pain in active-duty military personnel. The study aims to explore a non-invasive, short-term therapy approach that can be compatible with active-duty lifestyles.
A longitudinal study found that people with relapsing-remitting MS exhibit significant social cognition deficits, particularly in facial emotion recognition and empathy. These deficits are associated with psychological outcomes of daily living, such as depression and anxiety.
Researchers found that individuals with multiple sclerosis experience subtle language impairments that can be attributed to impaired executive functions or language ability. The study suggests the need for more comprehensive neuropsychological testing to fully understand cognitive profiles and provide optimal interventions.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased to 29.6 percent in March, while for those without disabilities it remained unchanged at 71.5 percent. Labor force participation rates for both groups also showed minimal change.
A team of New Jersey researchers has shown that changes in perceptual certainty and response bias, two central metrics of signal detection theory (SDT), correlate with changes in cognitive fatigue. SDT measures change as a function of changes in brain activation.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation confirmed that spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation results in immediate and long-lasting gains in strength, sensibility, and voluntary motor function. The study showed significant improvements in upper extremity and hand function, including a 283.4% increase in bilateral handgrip force.
Kessler Foundation researchers identified practical and technical barriers to the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) in clinical neurorehabilitation. They propose a collaborative approach to enable rehabilitation professionals to routinely use sEMG, including hands-on experience, user-friendly technology interfaces, and open-access...
Researchers at Kessler Foundation found that cognitive fatigue changes functional connectivity within the brain's 'fatigue network', which comprises key brain regions. This novel finding may accelerate advances toward effective interventions for disabling fatigue caused by various conditions.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased by 0.3 percent in February 2021, while labor force participation rate also showed modest gains. These improvements are attributed to declining COVID-19 cases and increasing vaccine rollout success.
The Kessler Foundation is conducting a two-year study on the role of hemarthroses in the development of osteoarthritis of the knee in military personnel. The team aims to explore regenerative processes to counter toxic effects of joint injury and prevent long-term damage.
Researchers aim to provide initial data on ocrelizumab's impact on cognitive fatigue in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. A 3-year study involving three groups will assess levels of cognitive fatigue and brain activity, exploring the therapeutic effects of ocrelizumab.
Amanda Botticello's study explores environmental barriers to community integration, while Denise Fyffe examines racial disparities in functional independence. Jeanne Zanca's project focuses on neurofeedback for managing neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 29.4% in December 2020 to 28.7% in January 2021, while the labor force participation rate also declined slightly. These numbers reflect a stagnation in recovery efforts during the pandemic.
Researchers found that high-dose gait training with robotic exoskeletons during acute inpatient rehabilitation can improve motor function and functional independence in stroke patients. The study demonstrated the potential of overground walking in an exoskeleton to increase therapy dose without extending rehabilitation duration.
The study will investigate whether treatment with Tysabri alleviates cognitive fatigue in individuals with MS. Researchers will use functional MRI to measure brain activation associated with cognitive fatigue, aiming to advance knowledge of the effects of Tysabri on this disabling symptom.
A new pilot study using electromagnetic field stimulation has shown promise in restoring arm and hand function in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries. The study, conducted at Kessler Foundation, aims to improve motor control and activities of daily living for those with chronic spinal cord injury.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased slightly to 29.4 percent in December 2020, while the labor force participation rate decreased by 1.2 percentage points. The COVID-19 surge is expected to impact employment trends in coming months.
A research team studied processing speed deficits in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and found similar brain activation patterns with older healthy individuals. The study suggests that SCI individuals compensate for processing speed deficits by relying on executive control and memory areas of the brain.
Dr. Genova will develop a strength-based intervention to improve job interview skills for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. The K18 award supports her research project at the University of Michigan School of Social Work's Level Up Lab.
A two-year grant from the New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research is funding a study by Dr. Jean Lengenfelder at Kessler Foundation to test a new treatment for emotional processing deficits in children with TBI. The research aims to improve emotional processing skills, social interactions, and quality of life for affected children.
Dr. Helen Genova will lead a three-year randomized controlled trial using virtual reality job training to improve social competency skills for individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, aiming to increase employment outcomes. The study is the first to use this program in this population.
Furloughs for people with disabilities increased to 23% in November, while continuing to decline for those without disabilities. The recent surge in COVID-19 cases is taking a toll on workers with disabilities, and the unemployment rate rose for both groups.
Researchers have found that gait training using robotic exoskeletons significantly improved motor function in adolescents and young adults with acquired brain injury, including increased loading, longer step length, and faster walking speed. However, further studies are needed to confirm the training effect and optimal dosing protocol.
A neuroimaging study aims to identify underlying cognitive and brain processes impacted by MS, focusing on working memory and hippocampal changes. The study seeks to develop effective treatments for restoring lost memory function in individuals with MS.
The Kessler Foundation received a $10,000 grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to facilitate ongoing spinal cord injury education for inpatients and their families. This virtual education format enables group interaction despite physical distancing measures, providing additional support for caregivers.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased to 29.1% in November 2020, while the labor force participation rate increased slightly to 33.6%. Despite this decline, people with disabilities remain engaged in the workforce and are entering or reentering the labor market.
Dr. Olga Boukrina receives a $10,000 grant to study reading deficits in stroke survivors and develop personalized treatment for aphasia. Her ongoing research aims to identify markers that can help clinicians detect reading problems early in rehabilitative care.
A three-year grant has been awarded to Montclair State University and Kessler Foundation researchers to explore treatments for long-term memory impairments in individuals with traumatic brain injury. The study aims to develop innovative treatment strategies directed at process-specific remediation of cognitive and neural mechanisms und...
Despite a decline in workers on furlough, 21% of people with disabilities remain on furlough, affecting their job prospects. The impact of the pandemic has been worse for people without disabilities, who are still below pre-Great Recession labor force participation rates.
A multi-center US trial shows that exoskeleton training is safe, feasible, and effective in improving mobility in individuals with spinal cord injury. The study found that most participants mastered the ability to ambulate effectively with the assistance of an exoskeleton after 12-36 sessions.
Researchers found a new metric, PPT, that quantifies impaired sensory acuity after TBI, which is associated with higher balance dysfunction. This study has implications for rehabilitating individuals with TBI.