New Study Examines Nonpharmacological

Pain Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury

A study conducted by the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR) at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab highlights the challenges of managing chronic pain in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The researchers found promise in several pain management interventions, but cautioned that larger studies are needed to further evaluate the treatments.

Learn About the Study

Meet Viraj: Independent Living and Working in Utrecht, The Netherlands

After Viraj was paralyzed due to a car accident, he underwent rehabilitation, secured accessible housing and went back to work as a supply chain coordinator.

Read the "From My Perspective" blog to hear Viraj's story -- in his own words -- as well as stories from others around the world with SCI.

Available Now: New Fact Sheet on PTSD and SCI

The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center has released a new fact sheet, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Learn about PTSD symptoms, diagnosis and treatment and what you can do to manage this common mental health challenge while living with SCI.

Get the Fact Sheet

"I Was A Wheelchair Kid"

This new podcast features the stories of children and teens who suddenly were paralyzed and had to figure out how to navigate their lives in a wheelchair. It is co-produced by FacingDisability.com and the Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Listen to the latest episode told by Reveca, who was injured as a 13-year-old and discovered that she didn't need to change her plans for the future.

Listen to the Podcast

SCI Research Opportunities

This study will evaluate changes in adherence to physical activity using a customized, interactive exercise app and e-coaching with a more traditional exercise app. Participation lasts six months and is mostly remote; however, three visits to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are required.

To participate, you must be at least one year post-SCI and have access to a personal mobile device.

To learn more, email Anusha Banerjee at abanerjee@sralab.org

Join MENTOR, a free, 8-week, online wellness program for people with mobility limitations. The program is customized to your unique needs and goals.

Receive free exercise equipment to use and keep, and get access to a health coach, fitness instructor, dietitian and mindfulness coach.

Participants have access to online, adapted exercise classes; cooking demos; mindfulness sessions; and a community of program participants.

Complete a quick online screening to see if you qualify.

INside the OUTcomes: A Rehabilitation Research Podcast

Listen to our new episode about loneliness and spinal cord injury.

Our guests are Sherri LaVela, PhD, MPH, a research health scientist, and Marissa Wirth, lead social science program coordinator, both in the in the Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In the episode, learn how and why loneliness can affect people with SCI, and about research focused on reducing its impact.

Listen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠.

The Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System (MRSCICS) at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a leading center for innovative, integrated, interdisciplinary research and care for persons with spinal cord injury. It manages several research projects, both unique to MRSCICS and in collaboration with other SCI Model Systems around the nation. MRSCICS also contributes data to the National Spinal Cord Injury Model System Database, established in 1973 as a repository of data collected through the collaborative efforts of federally funded SCI Model Systems.

MRSCICS Matters Newsletter Archive

For questions or comments, email outcomesresearch@sralab.org

This newsletter is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grants 90DPKT0007 and 90SIMS0015). The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.