|
After stroke, 50–60% of people experience cognitive impairment, yet problems often go undetected once patients leave the hospital. A project led by Alex Wong, PhD, DPhil, assistant director for the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR) at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, is testing smartphone-based cognitive assessments to monitor stroke survivors in their everyday environments. The approach could ultimately help clinicians identify cognitive changes earlier and provide more timely, personalized interventions.
| | |
People with aphasia, a communication disorder that can occur after stroke that impacts a person's ability to read, write or speak, can face unique — and often overlooked — barriers when using public transportation, from general challenges with communication to issues resulting from how transit staff and fellow passengers respond to them. A research project to be led by CROR research scientist Jacqueline Kish, PhD, OTR/L, will use participant-generated photographs and stories to explore the transportation experiences of people with aphasia and identify barriers and supports. The findings could help inform clinical coaching, caregiver support and training for transit workers to make transportation more accessible.
| | Meet Our CROR Collaborators | | |
After years of working as a physical therapist, educator and rehabilitation researcher, Roberto López-Rosado, PT, DPT, shifted his focus to understanding how social and healthcare factors influence rehabilitation outcomes. Now pursuing a PhD, López-Rosado is using national data to examine mobility outcomes among people with spinal cord injury (SCI), with support from a 2025 Switzer Research Fellowship. His work reflects a growing interest in understanding how rehabilitation services and social factors shape recovery after SCI.
| | Sara Ahmed, PT, PhD, is an associate professor at McGill University and a widely published rehabilitation researcher whose work focuses on improving quality of life for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Her research combines patient-reported outcomes, digital health technology and multidisciplinary care to help patients better manage their health and participation in everyday life beyond the hospital. She collaborates with CROR on an international study examining how inpatient rehabilitation length of stay affects outcomes for people with SCI. | | |
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Rehabilitation Measures Database (RMD) continues to expand, now including 605 measure summaries. We also now have 32 infographics based on some of the most commonly-used rehabilitation measures.
Want to strengthen your understanding of reliability and validity in rehabilitation measurement? Check out our new short videos on the RMD Educational Resources page! Designed for both students and practicing clinicians, the videos provide a quick, engaging overview of the different types of reliability and validity used in rehabilitation outcome measures.
| | | |
The fiscal year 2026 CROR report showcases the depth and impact of our work, including major achievements across our funded projects, an impressive body of publications, and a comprehensive list of our national and international presentations from the last year. It also highlights our commitment to mentorship, the success of our trainees and the recognition we've received through prestigious awards.
| | |
On this episode of INside the OUTcomes, we explore an international study led by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab that examines how inpatient rehabilitation — and key factors such as length of stay, intensity of therapy and more — shapes outcomes for people with SCI. As part of the research, individuals with SCI participated in focus groups to share their firsthand experiences of inpatient rehabilitation.
Our guests for this episode are:
-
Tyree Brown, a visual artist and disability advocate based in Maryland. After a car accident in 2015 left her with partial loss of function in both her arms and legs, she has become a powerful voice in the disability community.
-
Allen Heinemann, PhD, CROR director and principal investigator of the international study.
Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
| | |
CROR Outcomes is produced by the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR) at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. It is supported by grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grants 90DPK0007, 90DPHF0012). The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR.
Subscribe to CROR Outcomes.
|
| | | | |
