This IssueResearch Day October 20th .................2

Update on D-Cycloserine Study ...........3

STRAP Study Enrollment ....................3

Geriatric Residency Program ................4

STarT Back Screening Tool Study ........4

LEAPS Study .......................................5

Outcome Measurement System ............6

Brooks Active Clinical Trials .................7

Educational and Clinical News

VOL 5/ISS 2 • Summer 2010

LIFE StudyBrooks Rehabilitation has begun screening persons interested in

participating in the LIFE Study. The LIFE Study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, is the largest randomized controlled trial ever conducted to test different approaches to preventing mobility problems among older individuals.

“LIFE” stands for Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders. During the trial Brooks Rehabilitation will be enrolling 1,600 older adults between the ages of 70 and 89 who are relatively inactive, or “sedentary,” and at risk of developing mobility disability. (A mobility disability is the inability to walk a quarter of a mile or about four blocks.) The University of Florida (UF) is the leading center for the study and one of eight institutions around the country where participants are being enrolled. The Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies in Jacksonville, FL is partnering with the UF site in Gainesville, FL to encourage participation of older adults from Jacksonville and surrounding areas in northeastern Florida.

Little is known about whether specific interventions can help prevent major mobility disability. For older adults, staving off disability could help maintain physical independence and enhance the quality of their later years. The LIFE Study will provide definitive evidence regarding whether lifestyle modification interventions are effective and practical for preventing major mobility disability.

The LIFE Study will compare the long-term effectiveness and practicality of two interventions: a physical activity program and a successful aging health education program.

“We want to change how people live,” said principal investigator Marco Pahor, Director of UF’s Institute on Aging and Chair of the Department of Aging and Geriatric Research in the College of Medicine. “Maintaining independence is one of

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our public health and clinical priorities for older adults, and modifying lifestyle is an important approach to maintaining independence.”

Eligible participants are randomly assigned to take part in either a structured physical activity program that includes moderate-intensity physical activity such as walking and exercises to improve strength, balance and flexibility, or in a successful aging program that includes health education workshops and supervised stretching. Individuals will be followed for up to four years. The overall trial will run for six years.

In addition to disability prevention, investigators of this study will examine whether physical activity and health education affect cognitive function, cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary events, serious fall injuries and disability in basics of life. They will also look at quality of life measures such as depression symptoms, sleep quality, stress and satisfaction with life, and assess the cost-effectiveness of these programs for older individuals.

The Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies and UF are currently seeking to enroll older adults between the ages of 70 and 89 to take part in the LIFE Study. To learn more about the LIFE Study, call (352) 273-5919 or toll-free 866-386-7730 or visit our website at TheLifeStudy.org

from left to right: Charles Gay, Research Coordinator; Brittany Montes, Research Assistant; Tan Peavy-Alexander, Research Assistant; Jackie Ball,

Recreation Leader; Sharon Reed, Recreation Leader

The eight nationwide universities participating in this study include:

• University of Florida• Northwestern University• Pennington Biomedical Center• University of Pittsburgh

• Stanford University• Tufts University• Wake Forest University• Yale University

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Second Annual Brooks Research Day- October 20, 2010- Presenting the “Rock Stars” of Aging Research

Please join us on October 20, 2010 from 3-7 pm for our Second Annual Research Day. This year’s theme,

The Rock Stars of Aging Research, will focus on aging and disabilities, rehabilitation of the aging population and the aging brain. National experts on aging research will present and show you how science and rehabilitation really “rock”! You don’t want to miss it.

All Brooks employees and Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies researchers are invited to attend. This exciting event will feature an award presentation and numerous research poster presentations will be on display. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn the latest on evidence based practice and the latest research that is happening at Brooks Rehabilitation and around the world. Be prepared to be inspired. Wonderful food and desserts will be served at our research café, as well as free CEUs for all disciplines.

The event will feature keynote speaker, Dr. Jack Guralnik from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Aging. Other presentations will include, Dr. Mark Bishop from University of Florida, who will discuss the latest research on falls and the elderly and Brooks Rehabilitation’s finest Geriatric Residents (PT, OT, Speech and Nursing) will present case disciplines specific case presentations. There will also be an exciting presentation on the aging brain.

The keynote presenter, Dr. Guralnik, will discuss aging and rehabilitation. Dr. Guralnik received his M.D. from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and his M.P.H. and Ph.D. from the School of Public Health,

University of California, Berkeley. He is Board Certified in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine. Before coming to NIH he did research on predictors of healthy aging in the Human Population Laboratory Alameda County Study in Berkeley, California. He has been in the Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry at the National Institute on Aging since 1985 and has been the Chief of the Epidemiology and Demography Section since 1991. His research interests and multiple publications focus on the risk factor specific chronic diseases important in aging and pursues research on the consequences of disease, especially the effects of chronic disease on functional limitations, disability, and the ability to remain independent in the community. Assessing the roles of behavioral, psychosocial, and demographic risk factors in the development of disease and disability is also an important area of his research. He is a dynamic speaker who helps meld science and clinical practice. He is truly a rock star of science. Employees reserve your spot now for Brooks Second Annual Research Day, Rock Stars of Aging Research, through Brooks University.

Brooks Second Annual Research DayOctober 20, 20103:00 – 7:00 p.m.Brooks RehabilitationJacksonville, Florida

• National Experts on Aging Research • Brooks Geriatric Residents • Award Presentations • Posters • Continuing Education Credits• Research Café: Great Music, Great Food

Rock Stars of Aging Research

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Research therapists Brooke Hoisington, PT & Molly Dunn, PT continue to successfully train participants in intensive

task practice at the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies for the study “Improving Stroke Rehabilitation: Spacing Effect an D-Cycloserine”. This study began enrolling patients in December 2009, and five participants (post-stroke) have completed the drug/placebo administration and intervention of constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) at the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies. Two of the five have chosen to complete the study at the VA in Gainesville with Sandy Davis, PT.

This study is looking at the efficacy of D-Cycloserine for enhancing stroke rehabilitation. D-Cyloserine (an antibiotic) may enhance the brain’s learning potential, thereby boosting benefits of CIMT. CIMT is an efficacious treatment for arm/hand impairment post-stroke. This study is testing whether distributing 60 hours of CIMT practice is more efficacious than condensing the treatment (traditional method).

Brooke and Molly, the research physical therapists at Brooks Rehabilitation, are currently training one individual who has been randomized into the study for the condensed schedule (every day for 2 weeks for 6 hours a day) versus distributed (same number of hours , but spaced over MWF for 2 hours each day for 30 treatments). Both therapists and participants are enthusiastic and creative in their participation.

The first two participants to complete the study have been evaluated for the follow up maintenance of gains. All evaluations i.e. baseline, post-intervention and follow-up are performed in the

VA Brain Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC) in Gainesville by the therapist blinded to the intervention schedule and drug/placebo. Participants choose which site is most convenient for them for the therapy sessions and do receive an inconvenience voucher which helps them keep the appointments. Due to the success of the recruitment and collaborative screening effort by the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies and VA BRRC staff, there are five individuals waiting to enroll in the intervention. Flo Singletary has effectively coordinated these efforts.

Dr. Stephen Nadeau, Chief of Neurology at the VA and the University of Florida Faculty Department of Neurology heads up the study which will continue until twenty individuals have completed this study including the 3 month follow up data collection. This study may help answer a key rehabilitation question regarding the scheduling options of therapy and the use of a drug to enhance neuroplasticity.

Brooks Rehabilitation held a Seminar Series on June 30th on the study “Improving Stroke Rehabilitation: Spacing Effect and D-Cycloserine (An Investigation of CIMT Dosing).” The seminar was presented by Sandy Davis, PT.

The Brooks Rehabilitation endowment-funded study, Mechanisms of Restoring Symmetric Gait Post-Stroke:

Role of the Ankle Plantarflexors (STRAP) has enrolled six patients at Brooks’ Health Care Plaza and the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies is looking to enroll more.

The STRAP study is looking at the role of ankle plantarflexor strength on gait symmetry post-stroke. Recent research has implicated that weak plantarflexor muscles in gait deficits following stroke is often the most problematic post-stroke, not the ankle dorsiflexor musculature as previously sited. The study is currently recruiting ambulatory patients within 1 year of stroke onset who are receiving therapy services at the Brooks Health Care Plaza outpatient location. The patients will be randomized to one of two different exercise groups and then receive 30 sessions of the intervention. Intervention sessions are scheduled

around the patient’s regularly scheduled outpatient therapy and are free to all Brooks’ (Health Care Plaza) patients.

A team effort is needed to make this project successful. Special thanks to Christy Conroy, PT and Neuro OP Supervisor; Tonia Doidge, PT; Erica Walling, PT; Jackie Causer, Clinical Research Coordinator; Flo Singletary, Brooks Research Manager and Tangerica Peavy-Alexander, Research Assistant for their continued efforts on this project. Dr. Dorian Rose, Principal Investigator, works closely with Dr. Trevor Paris, Co- Investigator.

For more information on this study please contact: Tanergica Peavy-Alexander at (904) 345-8970 or Tangerica.Peavy-Alexander@brookshealth.org.

Enrollment Update on New Study Involving D-Cycloserine

Brooks Health Care Plaza Continues to Enroll Patients for STRAP Study

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Brooks Residency Program has added a multidisciplinary Geriatric Residency Program. The Brooks/UNF Residency/

Fellowship Program is a Division of Brooks Rehabilitation dedicated to the professional development of Brooks clinical staff. This program is a collaboration between Brooks Rehabilitation and the University of North Florida (UNF). The mission of the residency program is to develop skilled, compassionate, rehabilitation practitioners who provide excellent patient management within specialized areas of clinical practice.

As Brooks Rehabilitation’s commitment to the elderly population continues to increase, knowledge of serving this valuable and sensitive population will become more important for our staff.  Participation in the Geriatric Residency Program will allow clinicians to better care for an aging population, while continuing to work in their chosen profession.  The Brooks Geriatric Residency program is the first multidisciplinary residency program at Brooks, and is the third major specialty to be added to the Residency Program. 

The Brooks/UNF Clinical Residency Program is one year in length and all participants must be existing clinical staff at Brooks Rehabilitation. The primary training will consist of three components that include didactic/psychomotor classes, clinical mentoring and supervision, and directed learning activities. Success in the program will be measured by both written and practical exams as well as grading of other activities that will be requirements within the program. Eligible staff include Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists.

Course work for the Geriatric Residency program will include Understanding the Demographics of the Aging Population, Comparing and Contrasting Theories of Aging, Comparing and Contrasting Age Related Changes in Biology,

Physiology, and Anatomy, Describing Psychosocial Aspects of Aging, Pathological Manifestations of Aging, Functional Assessment of the Elderly, Exploring Nutritional Needs, Geriatric Pharmacology, Principles and Practice for Geriatric Rehabilitation and Communication, Values, and the Quality of Life. For more information Contact Bob Rowe, Residency/Fellowship Manager, Robert.Rowe@brookshealth.org or via phone at (904) 345-7317.

The 2010/2011 Geriatric Residents are: Kyle Bovee, PT; Stephanie Jones, RN; Ceil Brooks, SLP; Stephanie Fountain, SLP and Callie Squires, OT.

Brooks Announces

Geriatric Residency Program

The Center for Back and Neck Health at Brooks Rehabilitation

has been enrolling patients in a study that is analyzing the validity of the STarT Back Screening Tool (SBT) in physical therapy outpatient settings since February 2010. This study is funded by the Brooks endowment fund. Over 20 patients have already been enrolled in this study and investigators are hoping to recruit another 130 participants.

The SBT is a 9-item questionnaire intended for use in primary care settings with patients experiencing non-specific low back pain (Hill et al., 2008). The patient is allocated to either a low, medium, or high risk subgroup based on their response to statements related to their low back pain experience.

One example from the SBT is:

#2. My back pain has spread down by leg(s) at some time in the last 2 weeks.

Agree Disagree

The SBT consists of multiple physical and psychosocial factors which have recently been proposed for identifying patients with non-specific low back pain that are at risk for developing chronic pain. The SBT has been developed and intended for use in primary care settings; however the study has potential for use in outpatient physical therapy settings as well.

Brooks Rehabilitation Center for Health

Enrolling for STarT Back Screening Tool Study

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There have been many individuals from Brooks that have been supportive in making this trial happen. Dr. Trevor Paris, Medical Director at Brooks, serves as the study’s Co-Investigator. Holly Morris, MSN, RN, CRRC (Research Director), Amanda Osborne, PT (Regional Manager), Kerry Mallini, PT and Christy Conroy, PT and Neuro OP Supervisors have leant their support to the project. This study has provided an opportunity for those enrolled in the Neurologic Residency Program at Brooks to fulfill the program’s requirements to participate in research and again illustrates the benefits of collaborative research. Brooks is grateful for their contributions to the trial’s success. Jackie Causer from the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies serves as Project Coordinator for the study and is the primary liaison to the Health Care Plaza staff. She is supported by Flo Singletary, Clinical Coordinator of the Center.

LEAPS Study: Analyzing the Data

Amanda AyalaDr. Andrea BehrmanAnne WarrenBree CorbinBrooke HoisingtonDr. Chaz GayDawn SaracinoDeb GordonDebra GrayDr. Dorian Rose

Flo SingletaryFrannie WestlakeHolly MorrisJackie CauserJeannette DayJennifer McParlandDr. Joann GallichioJodi LiphartJodi MorganKarey Ledbetter

Katheen GetsoianMolly DunnMonty HendersonOla IyewarunDr. Pam Duncan, Prinicipal InvestigatorPam SpigelRhonda FleisherDr. Trevor Paris

Over four years ago, on April 1st, 2006, the Locomotor Experience Applied Post Stroke (LEAPS) clinical trial began

recruiting stroke survivors for an interventional research study. The LEAPS Study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions to improve walking during the first year following a stroke. The study compared a specialized locomotor training program with a home-based exercise program to improve walking velocity after stroke and to determine which is more effective in improving walking velocity one year post stroke.

Brooks Rehabilitation was one of five sites from across the nation involved in this study. The LEAPS Study was the largest rehabilitation research trial ever funded by National Institutes of Health. The team is currently analyzing the data from this study which will aid in maximizing rehabilitation for individuals post stroke. The team has recently presented the trial to the American

Physical Therapy Association and Dr. Pam Duncan, the Principal Investigator of the study, presented the trial at the International Stroke Conference. The team looks forward to presenting at future conferences and writing for publications in the near future.

The LEAPS team at Brooks Rehabilitation did an incredible job from start to finish. Of the 490 patients at Brooks Rehabilitation who consented to be screened for this study, approximately 1 in 5 of these stroke survivors went on to be randomized and participate in the study. A total of 96 patients from Brooks Rehabilitation enrolled in the LEAPS study over the course of the 3 year enrollment period.

Congratulations and thank you goes out to all of the Brooks Rehabilitation team involved in the success of LEAPS. It certainly took a village and what a great group of villagers you all were!

The purpose of this study is to determine if the SBT subgrouping scheme discriminates at baseline: pain intensity (NPRS), physical Impairment (PIS) and disability (OSW, RMDQ). Another aim of the study is to determine if the SBT predicts 4 week and 6 month: pain intensity, physical impairment and/or disability. Finally, this study is attempting to determine how the SBT compares to other commonly used questionnaires to assess psychosocial risk factors. 

Dr. Steven George, PT, Ph.D., at UF will be the principle investigator for this study.  His team will include: Jason Beneciuk, PT (Co-PI at UF, Rehabilitation Science doctoral student & Brooks

Residency and Fellowship program faculty member); Michael Robinson, Ph.D. (Co-Investigator); Anne Nisenzon, MS (Co-Investigator); Ryan Reed, Brooks PT (Site Coordinator); Mike Hagist, PT and Charles Gay (Research Program Assistant).

On May 5th, Brooks Research Seminar series featured Dr. George and Jason Beneciuk with a presentation titled Low-Back Pain: The Role of Psychological Factors in Physical Therapy Settings, at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital.

To enroll in this study, patients must be:

1. 18 to 65 years of age 2. Able to read and speak English (because of the multiple questionnaires) 3. Have a low back pain related diagnosis.

For more information on this study, Contact Jason Beneciuk at (904) 303-2103 or beneciuk@phhp.ufl.edu or Dr. Steven George at (352) 273-6432 or szgeorge@phhp.ufl.edu. 

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The National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS) is a data collection system developed to illustrate the value

of speech-language pathology and audiology services provided to adults and children with communication and swallowing disorders. It is sponsored by the American Speech and Hearing Association.

The NOMS data collection system is approved by The Joint Commission as an accepted performance measure and endorsed by the National Quality Forum. Recently, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the use of 8 Functional Communication Measures as speech pathology Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) measures. It is now being utilized by all speech language pathologists (SLP) at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital and Brooks Rehabilitation Outpatient Network.

Brooks Rehabilitation is pleased to announce that all 16 Brooks Rehabilitation Outpatient Network speech language pathologists and 13 Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital speech language pathologists are now certified NOMS users. Outpatient SLPs are certified in both pediatric and adults and began collecting data on March 1, 2010. The inpatient therapists began using the data collection system on June 1, 2010 and are certified to collect data on adults (age 16 and above).

The data provided in NOMS have many vital applications to Brooks Rehabilitation and the speech pathology profession. Benefits of utilizing the NOMS data:

• Obtain information needed for accrediting bodies.Collection and use of outcomes data can improve the quality of services provided.• Benchmark the outcomes of Brooks Rehabilitation with aggregated national results.Benchmarking is based on the premise that national data are collected to provide a standard to which organizational performances can be compared. A national database will provide the ability to benchmark with national, regional or state data, and enhance our services.• Identify changing trends that might affect staffing patterns.We now have the ability to analyze facility-specific information such as the number of patients seen per disorder type, amount of treatment provided in specific treatment settings, as well as identifying shifting trends or changes in patient population. • Establish preferred practice patterns and improve the quality of services.National data can help Brooks Rehabilitation speech therapists analyze patterns of care and determine those patterns that need to be changed to improve services. Moreover, this information provided in NOMS can assist administrators and clinicians with caseload planning and management, and functional, specific, effective goal writing.

• Provide answers to payers about prognosis and expected functional outcome of treatment.Using national outcomes data, clinicians will be able to determine the average amount of treatment that is required to show functional change in communication and/or swallowing skills for patients with a particular disorder or diagnosis.• Advocacy for speech and language services.Health care professionals with access to data possess a powerful tool to be used in advocacy and negotiation efforts. Data can be used to negotiate reimbursement from third-party payers for SLP services and help physicians get the services their patients need. • Provide consumer satisfaction information.Most importantly, we must reflect how patients rate SLP services and improve our already excellent quality of care.

Congratulations to all of the following speech pathologists on becoming certified.

We will be able to share Brooks Rehabilitation and national data after 6 months to a year of data collection. For more information contact Jodi Morgan at jodi.morgan@brookshealth.org or (904) 345-8987 or go to www.asha.org.

Brooks Rehabilitation Utilizes the National Outcome Measurement System

Outpatient SLPs Inpatient SLPs

Alison BuckelAmy WileyAshley Brannon(NOMS Team Member)

Ceil BrooksCynthia PaulkDebbie RannieJodi Morgan(NOMS Facilitator)

Kai LongKaterina AtanasovaKimmi Jasensky Laura BroadhurstNatalie DiAngeloRandi PasketRenee KatichSharon Katherine BatenhorstSusan Roach

Amanda HuntCatrina HindsChristie PaganoDana GriffisDru Lovecky(NOMS Team Member)

Jerri Michelle OsborneLatascha WilliamsonLaura Kathryn GeiwitzLeanne Richardson (NOMS Team Member)

Meredith MosesNicole WaldronStephanie FountainYvette McIver (NOMS Team Member)

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June 2010Brooks’ Active Clinical Trials

Stroke: #116-2008: Improving Stroke Rehabilitation: Spacing Effect and D-CycloserinePurpose: The purpose of this study is to test 2 interventions that might affect the impact of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT): 1. Administration of D-Cycloserine as an adjuvant that might increase learning rate 2. Delivery of the therapy over a longer period of time that might yield greater retention of motor skills at 3 months.Principal Investigator: Stephen E. Nadeau, M. D, 352-376-1611 ext 6551 or snadeau@ufl.eduEnrollment Criteria: Eligible subjects must be: between the ages of 18-80 years of age, have a diverse ethnic background, have had a single unilateral hemispheric stroke > 6 months ago and have a motor and functional criteria to enter the study (=CIMT eligibility criteria).

# 2005-054: Local Identification and Outreach Networks (LIONS) for Stroke Trial Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see if a new treatment (pioglitazone) will prevent future strokes and heart attacks among persons with a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).Principal Investigator:  Scott Silliman, M.D., (904) 244-9945 or Scott.silliman@jax.ufl.eduEnrollment Criteria:  Participants must have had a stroke or TIA within the past 180 days and cannot be diabetic or taking any insulin related medications.

# 422-2008: Mechanisms of Restoring Gait Post-Stroke: Role of the Ankle PlantarflexorsPurpose: The purpose of this research program is to develop and evaluate evidenced-based therapeutic interventions that promote restitution of impairments that will maximize functional outcomes post-stroke. The specific objective of this application is to evaluate a targeted plantar flexor strengthening program on the restitution of the paretic limb contribution to gait.Principal Investigator: Dorian K. Rose, Ph.D., PT, (352) 273-8307 or dkrose@phhp.ufl.edu Enrollment Criteria: Participants must have had a stroke within the past year and referred to the Brooks Health Care Plaza for outpatient physical therapy.

Spinal Cord Injury:

#19-2009: Locomotor Adaptability after Spinal Cord Injury and Training- Pilot Purpose: To determine if rehabilitation targeting adaptive walking features can improve the capacity for effective home and community ambulation after iSCI (incomplete). Also designed to determine characteristics of individuals which may benefit most from such training and identify the neural mechanisms of locomotor adaptability post iSCI. Principal Investigator: Andrea Behrman, Ph.D., (352) 273-6117 or abehrman@phhp.ufl.eduEnrollment Criteria: Must be 18 years of age or older with first time incomplete spinal cord injury. >12 months post injury and discharged from in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation.

Brain Injury: #UF03-2008-108: TBI-PBE:  Traumatic Brain Injury - Practice Based Evidence Purpose: To identify patient characteristics, including co-morbidity and complications, which explain variation in outcomes for TBI pts in acute rehabilitation.  To identify medical procedures and therapy interventions or combinations of procedures and interventions associated with better outcomes, while controlling for patient characteristic.   To determine whether specific impairment by specific therapy interactions are associated with better outcomes.Co-Principal Investigator:  Cynthia Beaulieu, Ph.D., ABPP-Cn, (904) 858 7651 or Cynthia.Beaulieu@brookshealth.org

#108-2009: The Effects of Goal Management with Mild TBI Veterans Purpose: The purpose of this Phase I study is to test an innovative treatment, Goal Management Training for executive dysfunction in veterans with mild TBI. The pilot testing of this treatment will allow the development of standardized procedures and in turn the development of a manual of procedures that can be exported for use in a subsequent randomized clinical trial. Primary Investigator: J. Kay Webbs, PhD, BCBA-D Contact: Julia.waid-ebbs@va.gov

Falls: #435-2008: Psychosocial Factors Influence on Response to Falls Intervention program in older AdultsPurpose: The purpose of this study is to find out how individuals attitudes and thoughts, such as fear they might have about falling or pain, might affect the changes that they experience during intervention for a balance program. Principal Investigator: Mark Bishop, Ph.D., PT, (352) 273-6112 Enrollment Criteria: Must be between 60 and 90 years old and have a history of two falls in the past 12 months.

Other: #610-2009: Musculoskeletal pain in outpatient physical therapy settings: prevalence and risk factors Purpose: To establish prevalence rates of patients receiving outpatient physical therapy services for musculoskeletal conditions based on primary admitting diagnoses in a racially and ethnically diverse large metropolitan area. 1. Investigate the influence that demographic variables have on musculoskeletal conditions based on the anatomical region involved. 2. Investigate baseline and follow-up pain measures over the course of PT treatment to determine if differences exist based on anatomical region.Principal Investigator: Jason Beneciuk, PT, (904) 303-2103 or beneciuk@phhp.ufl.eduEnrollment Criteria: Patients that were evaluated by a physical therapist at Brooks outpatient facilities with a primary admitting musculoskeletal diagnosis. Retrospective chart review and data abstraction only for certain ICD 9 codes.

All of these projects are currently enrolling participants.  We have several trials that are in the data analysis phase that are not listed here. Contact Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies for more information.

Outpatient SLPs Inpatient SLPs

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If you have questions about any of the research going on at the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies, check out our web site at BrooksCenter.org. Find out what studies are underway, how to enroll in a study, and how to conduct research at the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies. Our ever-changing Website hosts our recently published articles, clinical trial updates and educational opportunities.

BrooksRehab.orgYouTube.com/BrooksHealthTwitter.com/BrooksRehabFacebook.com/BrooksHealth

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#406-2009: Investigation of the STarT Back Screening Tool in Physical Therapy SettingsPurpose: The purpose of this study is to validate and refine the STarT Back screening tool in physical therapy settings, to determine if it may be a useful adjunct for effective management of patients with low back pain. Principal Investigator: Steven George, PhD, (352) 273-6432 or szgeorge@phhp.ufl.eduEnrollment Criteria: Must be ≥ 18 years of age and have a low back pain related diagnoses

#617-2009: Life Intervention and Independence for Elders (LIFE Study)Purpose: The LIFE Study is a Phase 3, multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to compare a moderate-intensity physical activity program to a successful aging health education program. Principal Investigator: Marco Pahor, Ph.D, (352) 273-5919 or www.thelifestudy.orgEnrollment Criteria: Must be between 70 and 89 years old and not involved in regular physical activity or another research study involving lifestyle programs.

#9160909: Development of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Identify Patients with Neck Pain Likely to Benefit from Education and ExercisePurpose: The purpose of this project is to develop a clinical prediction rule to determine which patients with neck pain are more likely to benefit from education and exercise. Principal Investigator: William J. Hanney, DPT, ATC, CSCS PhD Student; Nova Southeastern University, e-mail: hanney@nova.edu or Phone: (321) 615-6059

Enrollment Criteria: Must be over the age of 18 with a primary complaint of neck pain with or without unilateral UE symptoms. They must have a Neck Disability Index (NDI) of 10% or greater.

There is no charge for participation in any of the above clinical trials. Individuals may be compensated for their participation in some trials. For further information about research or to learn more about participation a trial, please contact us at (904) 345-8970 orwww.brookscenter.org.

Clinical Trials continued...