Drake Center: Specialized Medical & Rehabilitative Care
Research at Drake Center
Drake Center is the only hospital of our kind in the region with an on-site research program. The program helps us to identify best practice medical treatments and continuously seek better treatments. Our research is led by full-time Drake Center clinicians and external researchers from the University of Cincinnati and other regional academic institutions.
We are also the only hospital in the region with in-house, clinical research laboratories funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Stroke Association, and other national and international funding organizations.
With more than 20 ongoing studies, our staff is abreast of the latest therapy approaches, and our patients are getting better and more evidence-based care than anywhere else. For example, stroke recovery studies conducted at Drake show that current patients and those many years post-stroke or injury can regain meaningful motor skills and improve life skills.
Outpatient studies
If you are a community member or a current Drake Center outpatient ages 18-74, you may be eligible to participate in one of our outpatient studies.
Below is a list of our current studies by diagnosis. To learn more or find out if you’re eligible to participate, email the contact person listed after each study.
Current studies
Carotid artery blockage: “Randomized Evaluation of Carotid Occlusion and Neurocognition (RECON)”
This study will determine the relationship between mental functioning and blood among patients that have already consented to participate in our Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study (which will evaluate whether a surgical operation, bypass surgery, can reduce the chance of a stroke in someone who has complete blockage in the carotid artery). The RECON study will investigate if a surgical procedure for blocked carotid arteries (restoring blood flow to the brain) can lead to better cognition (thinking ability) when compared to individuals who do not have this procedure. The principle investigator of this study is Mario Zuccarello, MD, neurosurgeon at the University of Cincinnati. Mental functioning outcome testing is conducted at Drake Center by Dr. Paul Newman, For more information, contact Drake’s Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
Dialysis: “Outcomes and resource utilization in dialysis patients in a long-term care (LTAC) Facility - A Quality improvement initiative”
This study will collect date to determine outcomes among persons receiving dialysis. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
Stroke: Persons with stroke may be eligible for studies in our on-site Neuromotor Recovery and Rehabilitation Laboratory. The goal of this lab is to find strategies and treatments to improve function and quality of life after stroke. This dedicated neuro recovery lab is a collaboration between Drake Center and the University of Cincinnati.
“Motor Imagery to reduce stroke-related arm impairment”
This study is for outpatients who are one-10 years post-stroke. It will determine the effectiveness of motor imagery and occupational therapy versus stroke education and occupational therapy in reducing impairment and improving arm function. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“Electrical stimulation for upper limb recovery in stroke”
This study is for outpatients who are less than 12 weeks post-stroke. It will determine the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on motor function and functional activities EMG patterns. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“Efficacy of the FES (Bioness H200) in upper limb recovery in stroke”
This study is for outpatients who are at least six months post-stroke. It will determine the most effective dose of functional electrical stimulation (FES) delivered through the neuroprosthesis Bioness H200. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“Computer-assisted biofeedback leg exercise (CABLE) and gait in persons with stroke: a randomized control trial”
This is a study for outpatients who are at least six months post-stroke. It will determine the effect of a computer-assisted biofeedback leg exercise among persons with ankle weakness. Changes in function, balance and gait will be compared between persons receiving physical therapy and computer-assisted leg exercises versus persons receiving physical therapy alone. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
“A pilot study of the Orthosis System”
This study is for outpatients who are at least one year post-stroke and have the condition of drop foot. It will determine the effectiveness of a commercially available carbon graphite ankle foot orthosis in improving walking gait and the feasibility of supplementing the orthosis with two ankle supports. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“Stroke patients’ and therapists’ opinions of constraint induced movement therapy: a regional replication study”
This study will determine patients’ and therapists’ opinion about constraint induced therapy. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“A pilot study of the NuStep, fitted with electric stimulation”
This study is for persons with chronic stroke. It will determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a regimen of affected leg training using the NuStep device with functional electric stimulation. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“The Core Tx for stroke patient movement: a pilot study”
This study is for chronic stroke patients. It will determine the impact of a rehabilitation program that uses the Core Tx on affected arm impairment, disability and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“Efficacy of orthotic device incorporating electrical stimulation (ODES) on UE spastic hemiparesis in stroke”
This is a small study for chronic stroke patients. It will determine the impact of using ODES devices on spasticity and impairment, disability and ability to perform valued activities. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“Computer-assisted biofeedback leg exercise (CABLE) and gait in persons with subacute stroke: a pilot study”
This study will determine the effectiveness of CABLE combined with physical therapy (PT), compared to PT alone. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
“Effects of using the L300 for persons with stroke: A clinical case series pilot study”
This study is for patients more than six months post-stroke. It will assess changes in function and walking with use of the L300 device (for functional electrical stimulation). Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
“Over ground body-weight support (BWS) for gait training in persons with chronic stroke: A feasibility study”
The purpose of this research study is to determine the effects of BWS sit-to-stand training and over-ground walking. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
“Interactive Metronome (IM) for persons with stroke”
This study will determine if using a special computer system during your therapy will improve the strength and coordination of the affected arm. Call 513-418-4750 or email Valerie.Hill@uc.edu.
Wound care: “The cycle of stress on chronic wound healing”
This study will determine if stress affects wound healing. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
Inpatient studies
To participate in one of our inpatient studies you must be a Drake Center inpatient, ages 18-74.
Below is a list of our current studies by diagnosis. To learn more and find out if you’re eligible to participate, email the contact person listed.
Current studies
Dialysis: “Outcomes and resource utilization in dialysis patients in a long term care (LTAC) Facility - A Quality improvement initiative”
This study will collect date to determine outcomes among persons receiving dialysis. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
Inpatients: “Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) wound prevalence study”
This 12-week study will describe the prevalence of IAD, describe the nosocomial incidence of IAD and pressure ulcers and describe factors associated with development of IAD & pressure ulcers. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
“Determining the effect of Changing Central Line Needle-less Hubcaps Prior to Obtaining Blood Samples from a Central Line”
This study will determine if changing the tip of a central line before a blood draw increases the accuracy of the diagnosis for infection. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
Older adults: “A comparative study of falls and fall-risk assessments in older adults living in an assisted-living facility and a retirement community”
This study for Bridgeway Pointe residents will determine if older adults who fall are different from those who do not fall, using fall-risk assessment tests. For more information contact Drake Director of Clinical Research kari.dunning@uc.edu
Stroke: Stroke patients and researchers benefit from our dedicated, on-site Neuromotor Recovery and Rehabilitation Laboratory [link to: www.rehablab.org]
“A pilot study of the NuStep, fitted with electric stimulation”
This study will determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a regimen of affected leg training using the NuStep device with functional electric stimulation among persons receiving acute stroke rehabilitation. Contact Stephen Page at 513-558-2754 or Stephen.Page@uc.edu.
“Peroneal Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Persons with Acute Stroke: A Pilot Study”
This study will determine changes in function with the use of the L300 FES unit during inpatient rehabilitation. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
Tracheostomy patients: “The Effect of Open versus Capped Tracheostomy on Swallowing”
This study will determine the effect of tracheostomy tubes on the ability to swallow. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
Ventilator patients: “Effect of Fish oil – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) on chronic ventilator patients in a long term acute care setting”
The purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness of adding fish oil (omega 3 fatty acid supplement) to a tube feeding for persons on ventilators. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
“Effectiveness of a New Collaborative Approach to Therapy for Patients on Mechanical Ventilation”
This study will determine the effectiveness of a new program that combines respiratory therapy into physical and occupational therapy treatment sessions to facilitate earlier and more advanced rehab therapy, while safely managing the patient’s cardiopulmonary status. Contact Drake Director of Clinical Research, kari.dunning@uc.edu.
For researchers
If you are a researcher interested in conducting a study at Drake Center or Bridgeway Pointe, please contact Dr. Kari Dunning, Drake Director of Clinical Research at kari.dunning@uc.edu.
Research Review Application
Mentor Research Agreement