Be a Part of the Breakthroughs that save lives
Research Partners
This PhD project aligns with Spinal Cord Injury Australia’s mission to help people with SCI overcome barriers, achieve goals, and live independently. Focusing on the...
Our PhD project with Edith Cowan University aims to develop a practical strategy for integrating physical activity monitoring (PAM) into clinical settings for people...
SCIA works with SpinalCure on a range of projects including a current project utilising NeuroMoves staff. SpinalCure is Australia’s premier nationally operating Not-for-Profit organisation funding spinal cord injury research....
SCIA partners with NeuRA on a range of research initiatives including several that include NeuroMoves staff. NeuRA is an independent, not-for-profit research institute based in Sydney,...
Take Part in Research
We’re regularly looking people with SCI to participate in research studies and trials. Whether it’s sharing your thoughts in a quick survey or diving deeper in an interview, your lived experience gives our work real impact.
Take a look at what we’re currently recruiting for here:
Are you living with a Spinal Cord Injury? We want to invite you to participate in this first home-based clinical trial investigating Therapeutic Intermittent Hypoxia (brief exposure to low oxygen air) and exercise training to improve breathing and arm strength and function.
What is Therapeutic Intermittent Hypoxia?
Therapeutic intermittent hypoxia involves short bursts of breathing low-oxygen air, equivalent to altitudes of approximately 6,000 meters (Mt Kilimanjaro), alternated with periods of normal oxygen intake (akin to sea level). This alternating pattern, over a 30-minute session, is considered safe and has shown potential benefits. The brief and mild reduction in blood oxygen levels stimulates the nerves responsible for breathing and induces neuroplasticity. It is theorised that therapeutic intermittent hypoxia can act as a neuroplasticity primer before exercise training, enhancing the effects of rehabilitation.
Who can participate?
• If you are over the age of 18 years old
• Have tetraplegia (levels C2-T1)
• Have an incomplete injury – with evidence of motor incomplete paralysis in the upper limb
• And had your injury (or onset of impairment) at least 12months ago
Your participation in this study will involve completing 3 intervention sessions per week for 6-weeks, plus baseline and final assessments. Assessments will be conducted at Austin Health, while intervention will be conducted in your own home, by experienced physio- or occupational therapists.
If you are interested in participating in this study or would like to get more information, please contact:
Laura Stendell – Trial Coordinator
Email: laura.stendell@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 0468 862 693
Or read more on the BEST lab’s webpage: https://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/physiotherapy/best/research/current-projects/rruli/information-for-patients
University of Western Sydney would like to gather the experiences of Australia-based individuals on their pain condition from spinal cord injury, their experiences and satisfaction with conventional pain-related pharmaceutical treatment, and their experiences and views on facilitating and limiting factors of accessing and receiving acupuncture for pain management. The result of this survey will help to provide direction towards the design of future interventional studies, while reporting on the current experiences of individuals living with pain associated with SCI to support services. This research is expected to provide recommendations for policy and practice in Australia.
University of Queensland is looking for people living with a spinal cord injury, or supporting someone who is, means navigating unique challenges. But it also means incredible strength and resilience. We want to hear YOUR story about bouncing back and finding new ways forward. We’re inviting people with lived experience of traumatic spinal cord injury, their families and friends, and health and community service providers to share their insights. Your input will directly help us develop better ways to foster resilience and improve support practices!
How You Can Make a Difference:
- Share your unique experiences about life after spinal cord injury.
- Pinpoint key areas where support could be even better.
- Collaborate with others to generate innovative ideas for enhancing resilience.
Previous PHD Scholarships
We’re proud to have supported the following PHD students with their research:
Vanesa Bochkezanian
Edith Cowan University
PhD thesis: view here.
Peer-reviewed papers: BMC Neurology 1, BMC Neurology 2, Med Sci Sports Exerc.
Paul Watson
University of Sydney
Physical Activity in People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Mixed Methods Analysis. The University of Sydney February 2024:
Looking for Support with Research?
Research at SCIA is underpinned by our Research Framework and guided by our Bi-annual Research Plan.
Please take some time to read the Additional Resources below to see if your project aligns.
In the meantime, if you would like SCIA’s Clinical Governance and Research Committee (CGRC) to provide you research support through promotion, support, partnership and funding, please fill out the form here:
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