Participate in Research
Please contact the lab at (215) 893-2695 if you are interested in participating in any of our active studies.
Ongoing Research Studies:
ACTIVE STUDIES
Lil'Flo
Play with a Telepresence Rehab Robot!!
What are the goals of this research study?
The Rehabilitation Robotics Lab at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is conducting a robotic interaction study with people with both typical and atypical upper extremity limb function.
Who can be a part of this research study?
People 4+ years old both with and without disabilities.
What will participants be asked to do?
- Cognitive and motor assessments will be performed.
- Participants will be asked to interact with the robot, performing hand and arm activities, while being recorded.
- Participants will answer several survey questions.
- The study will take approximately 2 hours.
What are the benefits of taking part in this research study?
- There is no direct benefit to participants from taking part in this study. The knowledge gained from the study will be used to further develop robotic systems for treatment of persons with upper extremity impairments.
- You will be compensated for your time and travel.
I want to help! Who do I contact?
The study is under the direction of Dr. Michelle Johnson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Please contact Michael Sobrepera, (215) 893-2695, mjsobrep@seas.upenn.edu for more information.
[See flyer for Play with a Telepresence Rehab Robot!!]
PANDA
You Are Invited to Participate in a Research Study
Research Study about Infant Play
What are the goals of this research study?
The Center for Rehabilitation at CHOP, along with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the Department of Bioengineering, is conducting a study with typically and atypically developing infants. We are developing a PANDA Gym where the toys are equipped with tiny internal sensors to measure how babies reach and play with them. The information we learn will help develop early treatments for infants at-risk for delays.
Who can be a part of this research study?
Infants ages 0 to 6 months are eligible to participate, including those with and without developmental delays.
What will participants be asked to do?
• The study can be done at your home, CHOP main campus, CHOP specialty care center, or Penn Institute for Rehab Medicine (18th & Lombard St)
• A physical therapist will administer a developmental and clinical evaluation
• Participants will be asked to use the PANDA Gym
• Participants may be asked to upload your baby video data for evaluation
• Participants may be asked to enroll in a longitudinal study if your baby is 0-1 month old for a 12-month study
What are the benefits of taking part in this research study?
There is no direct benefit to you from taking part in this study. The knowledge gained from the study will be used to develop treatments for infants at-risk for developmental delay. You will be paid for your time.
I want to help! Who do I call?
Please contact Noor Ruwaih, ruwaihn@chop.edu, 267-426-7032 for more information.
Visit the PANDA web site @ www.research.chop.edu/panda
To download the PANDA App, please scan the QR codes below!
HIV/Stroke Rehabilitation
Are you a stroke survivor with HIV/AIDS? + Do you have difficulties using your arm and hand tasks, over 18 years old, >3 months post-stroke, not claustrophobic and able to be scanned in an MRI scanner?
We are looking for you!
Study Title: Neural and Motor Functional Changes in HIV and Stroke before and after Robot-Assisted Neurorehabilitation
Study purpose
To study how HIV affects STROKE SURVIVORS ability to recover their arm control and how a simple robot help with that recovery.
Typical Procedures
Your participation in this part of the study will include 2 assessment sessions, 2 scanning sessions in a magnetic scanner and 12 therapy sessions with the robot over the course of one and a half months. Prior to session 1 and after session 12, we will take images of your brain in an fMRI machine. Each of the 14 sessions will last approximately 1.5 hours. Your commitment would be for 1.5 months.
Please note that you will be compensated for your time. Participation is voluntary.
The research study is under the direction of Dr. Michelle J. Johnson, the Director of the Rehabilitation Robotics Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine. If you feel you may be eligible, please contact the Rehabilitation Robotics Lab by phone at 215-893-2694 for more information.
[See the flyer for HIV/Stroke Rehabilitation]
Rehab CARES
You Are Invited to Participate in a Research Study
We are in need of persons who have had a stroke resulting in the partial inability to use their arm.
Study Title: Rehab CARES: Community-based Affordable Robotic Exercise System
The Purpose
he purpose of this study is twofold: to evaluate patient satisfaction and motivation after using a new system that has been developed to help people recover from stroke; and to assess the gains made in motor impairment by stroke survivors. This new robot gym, called the Rehab CARES system, which consists of 4 stations and uses several devices one of which is a custom robot.
Procedures
The study will take place at the Rehabilitation Robotics Lab at Penn Rittenhouse. You will undergo an examination by a therapist that will last up to one and one half hours before therapy, followed by introduction and testing on the 4 stations of the robot gym. You will then receive 12 therapy sessions over 8 weeks. After therapy, another assessment will take place. Should you be interested in participating, please contact Megan Johnson, the Clinical Research Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Robotics Lab. Please note that your participation in this project is completely voluntary.
The research study is under the direction of Dr. Michelle J. Johnson, the Director of the Rehabilitation Robotics Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine.
If you feel you may be eligible, please contact the Rehabilitation Robotics Lab by phone at 215-893-2695 for more information.
[See the flyer for Rehab CARES]