
Effects of Caffeine and Intermittent Hypoxia on Leg Function in Human Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesAccumulating evidence suggests that repeatedly breathing low oxygen levels for brief periods (termed intermittent hypoxia) is a safe and effective treatment strategy to promote meaningful functional recovery in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The goal of the study is to understand how caffeine may augment the effects of intermittent hypoxia on motor function and spinal plasticity (ability of the nervous system to strengthen neural pathways based on new experiences) following SCI.

The Emotion Builder: An Intervention for Emotional Deficits After Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain InjuryAlexithymiaThe purpose of this study is to examine a web-based training program for treating emotional problems in people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Ketamine Infusion Therapy for the Management of Acute Pain in Adult Rib Fracture Patients
Wounds and InjuriesRib FracturesThis study will evaluate the effectiveness of ketamine infusions in the management of acute pain resulting from broken ribs suffered following a blunt trauma. Half of patients will receive the institutional standard of care and a placebo infusion (no active medication). The other half of patients will receive the institutional standard of care and a ketamine infusion. All subjects and staff will be blinded as to whether they are receiving placebo or ketamine.

Translational Research Examining Acupuncture Treatment in Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain InjuryThe purpose of this study is to examine the effects of acupuncture on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and blood biomarkers during the acute 10-day window following traumatic brain injury, to determine if those changes correlate with changes in biomarkers of brain health, neuropsychological testing, and symptomatic presentation.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage (CSFD) in Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuryThe purpose of this Phase IIB randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CSFD and to provide a preliminary clinical efficacy evaluation of the combination of CSFD and elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI). The objectives of the trial are to evaluate (i) efficacy of reducing intrathecal pressure (ITP) by CSFD in patients with acute SCI; (ii) preliminary efficacy of combination of CSFD and elevation of MAP compared to elevation of MAP alone in improving neurologic motor outcomes in patients with acute SCI; and, (iii) safety of intensive CSFD in acute SCI patients.

Early Controlled Loading on Conservative Treated Achilles Tendon Ruptures
Tendon InjuriesSoft Tissue Injuries1 moreThe purpose of this study is to measure the mechanical properties of the tendon after conservative treated Achilles tendon ruptures with or without early controlled loading. This is done in a randomized trial and the mechanical properties are measured using roentgen stereometric analysis (RSA). The hypothesis is that early weightbearing improves mechanical properties of conservative treated Achilles tendon ruptures without causing elongation of the tendon.

Real-Time Ultrasound-guidance Facilitates Paramedian Spinal Anaesthesia
Wounds and InjuriesThe purpose of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy of real-time ultrasound guidance on spinal anesthesia vs the traditional anatomical landmark technique, by comparing success rate of spinal needle insertion, success rate rate of single needle pass, duration and immediate complications.

Evaluation of a Specialized Yoga Program for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Spinal Cord InjuryThe purpose of this randomized controlled study is to evaluate psychological variables, mindfulness, and pain in the context of a specialized yoga program for individuals with SCI. Participants will be randomized to either a wait-list control condition or to a specialized yoga program condition.

Oral Analgesic Utilization for CHildhood Musculoskeletal Injuries
Musculoskeletal InjuryPain management for children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an injured limb is often under-treated, even though it is known that broken arms and legs cause moderate to severe pain. Further, children are less likely to receive appropriate pain medicine than adults with similar injuries. This study aims to improve the pain treatment of children who present to the ED with a suspected fracture, or broken bone or severe sprain. The investigators will compare the use of 3 different possible medication combinations (ibuprofen alone, oral morphine alone, or combined ibuprofen and oral morphine) to determine which combination is the best at treating children's pain. The investigators also plan to verify the safety of using these different drugs to treat children's pain. The investigators strongly believe that children's pain should be optimally treated in the ED. Adequately relieving children's pain is crucial, as inadequate pain treatment can have both short and longterm effects on the child. It also generates unnecessary stress for both the child and their caregivers/parents. Given this knowledge, the investigators feel that their study has the potential to impact care provided in EDs, and improve pain management safely, for children.

Electromyostimulation and Strength Walking for Knee Injuries
Knee InjuryThe purpose of this project is to compare three treatment regimens for knee injury to the standard rehabilitation protocol: 1) NMES, 2) graduated strength walking (via a weighted vest), and 3) NMES combined with graduated strength walking. Each treatment arm will be supplemented by the standard of care and compared to a group who receive the standard rehabilitation only. The Study will compare the effects of NMES, Strength Walking and combined NMES/ Strength Walking on strength, mobility, symptomatology, and Quality of Life (QOL) in military members with knee injury to a standard rehabilitation protocol program only. All groups will participate in standard rehabilitation protocol. The groups will be assessed over 18 weeks to compare main and interactive effects over time.