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[UPSDPT]

Hello,

Thank you so much for your interest in participating in our wheelchair seating study at the University of Puget Sound. We are looking for subjects over the age of 18 with thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) between levels T1-T12 to participate in this study. You also must have shoulder, neck, or back pain in the area above your injury level to participate, as well as the ability to perform independent pressure releases. We also need to make sure that you can provide informed consent and use a manual wheelchair that you’ve had for at least one year.

If these apply to you and you are still interested, let me tell you more about our study. We are investigating how a certain wheelchair configuration affects shoulder pain in people with thoracic SCI. If you agree to participate in the study, you will be evaluated by Dr. Jennifer Hastings and her team of physical therapy student researchers. However, by participating in the study, you won’t be entitled to further treatment with Dr. Hastings after the study is over. The study consists of four appointments, one week apart, with a six-month follow-up and involves changing your wheelchair configuration and taking posture and pain measurements. There is minimal risk involved but there is a chance you will feel some discomfort due to changes to your wheelchair. Of course, you will be allowed to discontinue the study at any time even after you sign the consent form, as long as you communicate with us about why you wish to stop. By participating in this study, you will not only receive personalized wheelchair modification that may reduce your pain, but you will also help to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding wheelchair seating for people with SCI and its affect on upper body pain.

The study is fully explained in a consent form that will be mailed to you if you wish to participate. You will bring your signed consent form to the first appointment, at which you will also have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the study, or decide not to participate at all.

Thank you and please contact me if you would be willing to read the consent form and schedule your appointments.

Rachel Prusynski, SPT
rprusynski@pugetsound.edu
253-879-3527