Shirley Ryan Abilitylab

This small study tested whether a non-invasive electrical stimulation applied to the spinal cord could improve walking and balance in 8 people who had a stroke and have weakness on one side. Participants walked on a special mat to measure step symmetry and speed. The goal was to …

This study tested a new EMG-controlled video game designed to help people who had a stroke at least 6 months ago improve hand movement and coordination. Twenty participants with moderate hand weakness played the game to retrain muscle activation patterns. The main goal was to see…

This study tested whether an intensive attention training program could help people with Long-Covid who experience brain fog. 58 adults from the Chicago area who had confirmed COVID-19 and ongoing cognitive issues took part. The program was done virtually, and researchers measure…

This study tested a new rehab approach for people who had a stroke at least six months ago and still have hand weakness and stiffness. Participants took a drug called cyproheptadine and did active hand movement exercises. The goal was to see if this combination could improve volu…

This study tested a robotic system called Harmony SHR to help people who had a stroke and have trouble moving one or both arms. The robot assists with shoulder and arm movements during rehab. The goal was to see if it is safe and can improve arm function. 21 people in inpatient r…

This study tested simple, low-cost devices to help people with spinal cord injury walk on a treadmill. Nineteen participants with injuries between the neck and mid-back used the devices, and researchers measured changes in walking speed and leg movement. The goal was to make trea…

This early-phase study tested whether short, controlled periods of breathing low oxygen (acute intermittent hypoxia) combined with high-intensity arm training could improve hand and arm function in 58 people with chronic spinal cord injury. Participants had injuries at neck level…

This study tested a new approach to help people with spinal cord injury walk better. Participants breathed mild low-oxygen air (like being at high altitude) for short periods and received gentle electrical stimulation on their back, combined with walking practice. The goal was to…

This study looked at how the brain sends signals to muscles after a spinal cord injury. Researchers tested 120 people with chronic neck-level injuries to map brain activity and measure hand and arm function. The goal was to gather knowledge that could lead to better therapies for…

This study explored how people show resilience after a spinal cord injury. Researchers interviewed and surveyed 28 adults who had a traumatic spinal cord injury at least one year ago. They looked for common themes among people at different stages of injury (1-5 years, 5-15 years,…

This study used wearable accelerometers to measure how much and how intensely stroke survivors moved their affected arm during daily therapy. Fifteen participants wore the devices to track movement patterns over time. The goal was to objectively see if arm activity improves with …

This study looked at whether short sessions of breathing air with less oxygen (called Acute Intermittent Hypoxia) is safe for people who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It also checked if this approach might help with memory, thinking, and movement. Twelve adults with mi…

This study tested whether short, controlled sessions of breathing low-oxygen air (like being on a tall mountain) is safe for people who had a stroke. Sixteen stroke survivors took part to see if this therapy might help the brain rewire and improve movement. The main goal was to c…