Research

We think it is really important to give our patients the opportunity to get involved in high quality research.

Over the past five years, we have been involved in a number of major studies funded by the National Institute for Health Research. 

Research areas include:

• Spinal cord injury (acute and chronic)
• Mobility and physical rehabilitation
• Pressure ulcer prevention, treatment and management
• Bowel and bladder rehabilitation
• Spasticity management

What are clinical trials?

Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. Through clinical trials, doctors find new ways to improve treatments and the quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries. By taking part in clinical research you will gain access to new research treatments often before they are widely available and of course you are giving hope to others  by contributing to medical research.

How to get involved

If you are interested in taking part in a research please speak with your clinical team in the first instance. 

Research Advisory Group

The Specialised Rehabilitation Lay Advisory panel exists to ensure that patients remain at the heart of all research designed and undertaken with the Centre. The group meets three times a year and includes present and past users of the clinical services at the Centre. Members can either attend the meetings in person or contribute via email.

Anyone with the following knowledge/experience is welcome to join the Group:

• Spinal cord injury services
• Amputee rehabilitation or prosthetic limb services
• Orthotic services
• Wheelchair or special seating services
• Gait services
• Functional electrical stimulation services
• A carer or relative of a patient requiring specialised rehabilitation
• Have previously participated or are currently participating in a research study

For further information on the group and how to join email mobility@sth.nhs.uk or contact 0114 271 5807.

Further information for researchers, commercial partners and patients & the public on clinical research in the NHS can be found on the Clinical Research and Innovation Office (CRIO) webpage (https://www.sheffieldclinicalresearch.org)

Who we are 

The research team consists of the Clinical Research Lead (Dr Ram Hariharan, Spinal Cord Injury Consultant) and the Research Coordinator. All clinical research activity is overseen and approved by the Research Executive Committee and reviewed by the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Panel to ensure research remains patient focused.

If you are a patient or member of the public and would like to get involved in reviewing clinical research trials and services in the area of specialised rehabilitation, then further information is available to you here: https://www.sheffieldclinicalresearch.org/for-patients-public/how-to-get-involved/specialised-rehabilitation/

If you would like further information on clinical research, please contact:

Research Co-ordinator
SCICResearch@nhs.net