In a collaboration with the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, a Spinal Cord Injury Model System hospital is the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System. This Spinal Cord Injury Model System was established in 1990 and has been serving citizens with spinal cord injuries in the northern and central New Jersey area since its inception.
The Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System has an enormous research program that is part of the larger Kessler Research Institute. Both the research here and the consumer information they provide make this Spinal Cord Injury System a critical part of the spinal cord injury community. To learn more about the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System, continue reading below.
Research
Every Spinal Cord Injury Model System that participates in spinal cord injury research must focus on research that improves the quality of life and individuals with paralysis, as well as improves their mobility or minimizes any medical complications that may occur after their injury.
Two current studies taking place at the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System focus on improving bladder management and helping individuals with chronic injuries have more stable housing. There are over two dozen studies seeking research subjects. Many of these studies offer compensation as well and virtual check-ins. You can view interviews with their research subjects on their Youtube video channel as well. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3D74E579B31B8BD5
Some of the research projects you'll find are "Brain Activity in People with Chronic Neuropathic Pain and SCI," "Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury" and "Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Electrical Stimulation in SCI." See them all here: https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/studies/spinal-cord-injury
Rehabilitation and Consumer Resources
With the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System affiliated with the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System can provide the highest level of rehabilitation for people who've experienced a Spinal Cord Injury.
They have a Neurological Rehabilitation center that provides extensive therapies for spinal cord injuries including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as driver education, locomotor training with bodyweight, supported treadmills, wheelchairs evaluations, and orthotic and bracing evaluations.
They also offer a huge consumer resources area on their site. This includes fact-sheets, videos, and podcasts to educate you on dozens of topics related to life with a spinal cord injury. Some of these fact-sheets touch on topics such as how to make your home accessible, the body before and after an injury, emergency preparedness (a guide and checklist), and exercise recommendations for persons with paralysis. Check out their consumer resources section here: https://kesslerfoundation.org/researchcenter/spinalcordinjury/consumerresources
To view their podcast, it is available on Soundcloud. Their podcast is titled "SCI Grand Round" which focuses on all things Spinal Cord Injury related. You can listen to the podcast here: https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/sci-grand-rounds
- Official site: https://kesslerfoundation.org/NNJSCIS
